MAHLE is taking over transmission specialist ZG-Zahnräder und Getriebe GmbH, based in Eching, near Munich/Germany. With this acquisition, MAHLE is able to further develop its competence in the entire powertrain. Details of the agreement and the purchase price will not be disclosed.

Through the acquisition, MAHLE is expanding its expertise in the powertrain as a whole, to include the transmission, a key component. This is significant because the trend in electric vehicles is moving toward integrated drive systems. MAHLE says this strategic move allows the company to tap into additional development competence in this field, thus putting it in a position to offer its customers integrated systems solutions for the powertrain from a single source, including transmission design.

ZG-Zahnräder und Getriebe GmbH is a highly innovative service provider in the field of powertrain engineering and has particular expertise in state-of-the-art gearing technology. The company was founded in 2008 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich. Its approximately 40 employees support automobile manufacturers and suppliers throughout the entire development process.

“The acquisition is another important step in the expansion of MAHLE’s product portfolio and on its path to become a systems provider for all powertrain technologies,” said Dr. Jörg Stratmann, chairman of the management board and CEO of MAHLE.

Integrated drive systems have decisive advantages over individual modules, according to MAHLE. For example, take the drive motor, transmission or power electronics – their components are ideally coordinated, their construction can be more compact, and they also can be used more flexibly in different vehicle types.