ZF TRW to Launch Electric Park Brake in India, Production Starts in 2017

April 25, 2016

Ryan Gehm

The Electric Park Brake (EPB) is typically fitted on rear axles, but ZF TRW's latest actuator generation can be also installed on front axles for different vehicle layouts.

ZF TRW recently announced through its joint venture, Brakes India Ltd, that it has won the first business award for its Electric Park Brake (EPB) system in India. Launching with a major global vehicle manufacturer, the technology will start production in 2017, marking the first launch of its kind for the Indian market, the supplier claims. In addition to providing park brake functionality, EPB is a fully integral part of the brake system with features such as dynamic actuation and brake pad wear sensing, and reduces the degradation associated with mechanical systems. The EPB also helps enhance safety in emergency situations with full four-wheel anti-lock functionality versus standard park brake that provides emergency braking only on the rear axle.

Manfred Meyer, Global Vice President, Braking Engineering, said: “ZF TRW was first to market globally with its EPB system in 2001 which pioneered with Lancia, Audi, and VW and more recently on the BMW X4 and i8, Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, Ford F150, Honda Accord, Nissan Qashqai, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, and more. We have now produced more than 65 million units...With our vast experience and global footprint, we are ideally positioned to bring the performance and safety benefits of EPB to all vehicles and in all regions.”

ZF TRW offers a range of EPB solutions including standard EPB, integrated EPB which removes the requirement for a separate electronic control unit (ECU) due to its integration with the Electronic Stability Control system, and EPB for front axles which can help to make the technology more suitable for smaller vehicle segments.

Badri Vijayaraghavan, Executive Director, Business Development, Brakes India, said: “India will continue to be dominated by small cars with rear drum brakes. The offering of a front EPB opens up a wealth of opportunity regarding EPB installation due to its packaging and performance benefits.”