Press Center

Press Release

2019-Nov-27

ZF Establishes Third Research and Development Center in China

  • New center in Guangzhou strengthens development expertise in the Asia-Pacific region
  • Focus on future technologies such as automated driving and electric mobility

Guangzhou, China/Friedrichshafen, Germany. ZF Friedrichshafen AG is establishing a third Chinese research and development center in Guangzhou southern China. Representatives of ZF and the local authorities have signed an agreement and ZF plans to invest approximately €90 million in the new development center.

Show more
ZF Establishes Third Research and Development Center in China

ZF already has two development centers in China, both located in Shanghai. With their respective focus on the development of active and passive safety technology as well as driveline and chassis technology, the two centers support ZF customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the massive expansion of future technologies such as automated driving and e-mobility has created additional demand for engineering capacities, which ZF is addressing with the establishment of the research and development center in Guangzhou.

“The decision to build a third development center in China is of great importance and confirms ZF’s strategic goal of further expansion in the largest global automotive market,” says Dr. Holger Klein, member of ZF’s Board of Management and responsible for the Asia-Pacific region. “The new center will develop key technologies and system solutions for ZF that we can also use in other market regions.”

The new research and development center in Guangzhou, is planned to be operational by 2023. In addition, the center will also be home to a satellite of the Shanghai-based research and development centers in order to optimally serve customers in southern China.

The development center in Guangzhou will have core competencies in engineering and research and development and will cover aspects such as software development and related technologies for the mobility of the future. Together, the three research and development centers in China will be able to offer ZF customers comprehensive system solutions ranging from software to hardware, thus contributing to clean, safe, and affordable next-generation mobility. The settlement in Guangzhou also follows the ZF approach of localizing research and development directly in the respective markets and quickly adapting to the industry trends in electrification, automation, connectivity, and mobility services in China.

ZF in China

ZF has been represented in China since 1981. The expansion of business in China is an important goal of ZF’s “Next Generation Mobility” strategy. ZF operates around 40 production facilities in China representing all divisions; the headquarters for the Asia-Pacific market region and two research and development centers are located in Shanghai. In 2018, ZF generated sales of €6.2 billion in China with 14,800 employees.

MEDIA

Press Release

CONTACT

Dr. Jochen Mayer

Corporate News Relations, Finance and Labor Relations

+49 7541 77-7028

jochen.mayer@zf.com

Andreas Veil

Head of External Communications

+49 7541 77-7925

andreas.veil@zf.com