At ZF Transmissions, the future of e-mobility is here. So is a robot named Ferdi, who helps the HR department.
ZF recently introduced new technologies to its employees and other invitees during its e-mobility exposition. Ferdi, present during the exposition, is a robot programmed by ZF employees. The robot answered different questions from attendees or introduced newcomers to what ZF manufactured.
Initially known for its transmissions, the company began developing electric mobility or “e-mobility.” The transition began in 2008, with 2016 representing the birth of the company’s e-mobility division.
ZF aims to be the future of mobility and in 2025, the Greenville site will begin manufacturing the eight-speed plug-in hybrid transmission known as 8HP Gen4 PHEV.
“Our facility is in full swing for transformation to electric mobility,” says Henry Schaub, ZF Transmissions corporate technical project lead.
PHEVs use batteries to power an electric motor or other fuels to power an internal combustion engine, making it a two-in-one.
This means drivers can opt to use the plug-in battery more often and only rely on the engine for long trips where drivers are unsure if plug-ins will be available. ZF manufactures the transmission, hybrid module and power electronics to perfectly match each other to improve speed and range. Tobias Brugger, vice president and plant manager ZF Transmissions Gray Court says the 8HP Gen4 PHEV is an “important transitional technology on the path to electrification.”
“Electric vehicles and the electric-vehicle industry really have come to us,” said South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who spoke at the exposition. “And we’re excelling at it.”
ZF also showcased technologies manufactured at other locations such as the e-beam axle, made for pickup trucks and vans.
Currently, ZF produces eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions. All core manufacturing process takes place in the Gray Court plant in South Carolina.
The facility began producing automatic transmissions in October 2012 and became the world’s first transmission manufacturer to create an automatic passenger-car transmission with nine gears.
ZF Transmissions facts
164,869 employees total
1,997 employees at the Gray Court site
Gray Court site is 1,687,000 sq ft
Capacity to make 1,900 total transmissions per day
Customers include Chrysler, Jaguar, Land Rover, Honda, Mercedes, Nissan
Inside ZF Transmissions Gray Court by Jack Robert Photography
