ZF Tech Day: to shape the Future of Intelligent EV with Leapmotor

ZF and Leapmotor officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement on June 20, 2023, under which the two parties will closely cooperate in the field of intelligent chassis for passenger cars, jointly develop intelligent chassis products with foresight and broad market prospects, and lead the technological innovation of new-generation electric vehicles with intelligent and electric dual drive. As a global technology company, ZF has a broad product portfolio and system integration experience. Leapmotor is a technology-driven Chinese new energy vehicle company, focusing on the independent R&D of intelligent EV and rapid iteration of products. The constructive cooperation between the two parties is committed to providing consumers with a more personalized, more intelligent, more comfortable and safer driving experience.

“This year marks the 9th anniversary of the establishment of Leapmotor, very young compared to ZF’s century history. We are happy to establish a partnership with ZF,” said Cao Li, Senior Vice President of Leapmotor. “ZF has very strong technical expertise and R&D and production resources in the European market, and its brand and product power are critical for Leapmotor’s current stage of development. Leapmotor adheres to the concept of self-research, with innovative technology to empower more product value; at the same time, gradually open up the European market, which can not be achieved without the strong support of global partners.”

Shu Chuncheng, Vice President of Supply chain of Leapmotor, also attended the tech day.

Among the products on display were a number of products in the final stages of development, including advanced technologies such as ZF’s second generation Integrated IBC, EPB and 4-in-1 eRE plus. Leapmotor model B10 with ZF’s IBC made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, and made its domestic debut at the Guangzhou Motor Show in November.

“Leapmotor makes me feel the strong vitality of China’s NEV company, the urgent need to go overseas, and the unique insights into the future development of intelligent driving,” said Renee Wang, Executive Vice President, President of China and Operation Asia Pacific, ZF Group. “As a global leader in the auto parts industry, ZF has developed cutting-edge technologies in hardware, software and systems in recent years, and is committed to providing innovative, efficient and sustainable solutions for the automotive industry, as well as being rooted in the Chinese market to serve the needs of different customers. we are willing to continue to support Leapmotor’s further development and rapid growth in the future.”

“For us, innovative technology and R&D speed are the urgent needs of the market, and this is what we have been pursuing together. The cooperation between ZF and Leapmotor is not only an in-depth exchange of products and technologies, but also a fusion of genes, which initiate us to open up our minds and generate innovative sparks,” said Tigger Xu, Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Development of Asia Pacific, ZF Group. “In the wave of transformation in the automotive industry, we insist on both cost reduction and technological innovation, continue to improve product competitiveness, and work with our partners to experience the industrial revolution.”

During the tech day, ZF experts shared the latest progress and future trends of intelligent chassis technology, including the world's leading technologies and solutions such as SbW, future braking technology, Co-Axial Reducer, CIPB technology & product, chassis component product and technology, vehicle motion control solutions, zero gravity seat safety system solutions, and Application of AI on small computing power platforms. Meanwhile, in-depth discussions and exchanges were also conducted on the future development of intelligent EV technology.

During the tech day, the results of the two parties’ cooperation in various technical fields such as intelligent chassis and E-mobility were demonstrated, and the shared expectation and confidence in the future intelligent EV market were highlighted. In the future, the two parties will continue to deepen their cooperation and jointly promote the innovation and development of intelligent EV technology, so as to bring a safer, smarter and greener mobility experience to global consumers.