As Martin Hattenberger reported in the online magazine SWR Aktuell, ZF wants to invest in the future of autonomous driving (drive-by-wire technology). For this purpose, the company took out a loan of 425 million euros from the European Investment Bank. A large investment budget is needed if ZF wants to continue to be the ‘frontrunner’, i.e. the leading company in this field, ZF CFO Michael Frick said when signing the agreement. ZF plans to invest a total of 1.3 billion euros in the research and development of innovative technologies in the coming years.
Autonomous driving made in Friedrichshafen
According to Frick, ZF is facing major transformation projects in the automotive sector. The company needs to reposition itself. As the only supplier that offers solutions for brakes, damping systems and steering, the ZF Group is well positioned and the market leader. Above all, the company wants to advance so-called drive-by-wire technology in the future. This will enable cars to steer and brake digitally in the future, which is one of the conditions for autonomous driving. Research and development work is to be further expanded in these areas.
Competitiveness in Europe to be strengthened
The money for the development loan comes from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The bank, whose shareholders are the member states of the European Union, provides loans every year to companies that contribute to the core objectives of the EU. The investment in ZF is an excellent example of how the EIB supports the innovative capacity of the European transport and automotive industry, stated Nicola Beer, Vice-President of the EIB. Her company had thoroughly proved ZF's project plans. ‘We know ZF very well. This is an important customer for us,' said Beer when signing the contract.
Keywords: ZF Friedrichshafen, Drive-By-Wire-Technologie, Autonomous driving, Autonomes Fahren, steer and brake digitally, damping systems and steering, transformation projet, future investments, European automotive industry, European Investment Bank (EIB)
