IAA 2024: ZF, Foton Expand Partnership to Hybrid Transmission for China Market

On September 16, 2024, during the IAA Transportation 2024 in Hannover, Foton and ZF signed a strategic cooperation agreement. According to the agreement, the two companies will collaborate to introduce advanced hybrid drive systems to the Chinese commercial vehicle market, to aid decarbonization and support the transition to new energy.

The signing ceremony was attended by Foton' Vice President Cui Shipeng and ZF's Head of Commercial Vehicle Solutions Transmission and Hybrid Products, Christian Feldhaus. Also present were Foton' Chairman Chang Rui, Executive Vice President Lu Zhenghua, as well as ZF Group Board Member and Head of Commercial Vehicle Solutions, Peter Laier, and Yu Sujie, President of ZF’s Asia Pacific Commercial Vehicle Solutions Division.

Under this agreement, ZF will develop the TraXon 2 Hybrid transmission system for heavy-duty trucks. The joint venture, ZF Foton Automatic Transmission (Jiaxing) Co., Ltd., will have exclusive rights to this technology in China and will be responsible for manufacturing this innovative product.

As the industry transitions to new energy, hybrid technology is gaining significant attention. The TraXon 2 Hybrid system builds on the efficient design of the TraXon 2 transmission and includes high-power and high-torque hybrid modules. By intelligently integrating electric and traditional power sources, this system enhances overall efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, and extends vehicle range. It offers significant economic benefits for logistics companies and fleet operators. The system is versatile, integrating seamlessly with various vehicle structures, making it suitable for both full hybrid and plug-in hybrid heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The technology is expected to start production in China by 2026 and will be rolled out globally thereafter.

Peter Laier, Head of Commercial Vehicle Solutions at ZF Group, stated, “Our partnership with Foton leverages both our resources and strengths to accelerate the development of hybrid solutions and bring them efficiently to the Chinese and global markets. Launching the new hybrid transmission system in China first demonstrates ZF's commitment to advancing China's new energy vehicle transformation and promoting green development in commercial vehicles.”

Foton Chairman Chang Rui commented, “Foton Motor is committed to green and low-carbon development. Hybrid systems are a  crucial part of our strategy to drive global commercial vehicle new energy development in collaboration with ZF. This strategic agreement represents an upgrade in our cooperation and will help Foton Motor provide a wider range of commercial vehicle solutions for both the Chinese market and global customers.”

As the wave of new energy transformation continues, technological innovation remains the core driver of company growth. Foton Motor has prioritized its new energy strategy as its top development goal, pursuing a multi-path approach with “pure electric + hybrid + fuel cell” technologies. By integrating ZF’s latest TraXon 2 Hybrid system, Foton not only expands its hybrid technology portfolio but also secures a leading position in the heavy-duty commercial vehicle hybrid technology sector, accelerating its new energy transition.

Foton Motor will continue to work closely with top global partners to provide high-quality vehicle products. This partnership with ZF will provide businesses and individual customers with more convenient, economical, and efficient hybrid solutions. Moving forward, Foton will focus on technological innovation to drive further development in the commercial vehicle industry.

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