SHANGHAI, China – Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp.‘s Powertrain Division has increased its piston manufacturing footprint in China to meet the growing demand for its advanced Elastoval piston products designed to lower emissions and reduce fuel consumption. The expansion of the company’s Qingdao piston manufacturing facility aligns with the company’s strategy to locally serve China’s domestic and foreign automakers.
Federal-Mogul’s Qingdao manufacturing facility is located in the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone in Qingdao, Shandong Province, PRC, and employs 800 people. The expansion represents a 30 percent increase to the production floor to, in part, accommodate the manufacture of Elastoval pistons for three additional foreign transplant OE engine customers later this year.
"Federal-Mogul’s commitment to its customers in China, and throughout the world is to provide advanced powertrain solutions that reduce emissions and improve fuel economy," said Rainer Jueckstock, Federal-Mogul co-CEO and CEO, Powertrain Division. "The expansion at Qingdao reflects that commitment, as we develop our most advanced, state-of-the art piston technologies directly onsite, supporting local customers with global powertrain solutions."
The engine piston plays a critical role in providing fuel-efficient, emissions-compliant solutions for downsized, turbocharged engines that produce higher peak temperatures and pressures during the combustion process. According to Federal-Mogul, these engines are experiencing rapid growth in the Chinese automotive market. The company’s Elastoval technology combines high-strength piston architecture with a low friction, durable piston skirt coating to deliver a lightweight design that meets the needs of these demanding engine platforms, the company states.
"Federal-Mogul’s expertise in design and manufacturing has enabled us to provide solutions that fit the demanding requirements of the China market," said Steven Krause, operations director, Federal-Mogul Powertrain, East Asia. "Federal-Mogul and the Qingdao operation are proud to be leaders in this technology and to participate in this growing segment. The investment in advanced manufacturing systems and capacity reflect our commitment to enable customers to be the most efficient and competitive players in the technology-driven automotive industry in China."
The expanded facility also will produce Federal-Mogul’s Advanced Elastoval II aluminum pistons, which are designed to address the needs of China’s highly efficient passenger car gasoline engines.
Federal-Mogul said the successful development and launch of Elastoval piston technology, combined with China’s light vehicle market growth and call for more fuel-efficient engines, drove the need for the latest floor space expansion and technology investments.
"The expansion of Federal-Mogul’s Qingdao Piston facility and the new technologies that will be produced there enables us to further increase our production, while at the same time, effectively and efficiently serve our valued customers," said Frank Zhou, Qingdao Piston facility general manager.
Federal-Mogul began operating in China in 1995. Today, the company operates 12 wholly owned or joint venture companies in nine locations. The Shanghai-based Asia Pacific Technical Center is one of Federal-Mogul’s globally networked engineering and technical centers, providing leading edge technologies and services to domestic and foreign transportation manufacturers throughout Asia.
