Nexteer Crosses 40 Million Mark for Electric Power Steering Systems

Nexteer Automotive, which is one of the leading companies in the world when it comes to intuitive motion control crossed a significant landmark when it recently supplied its 40 millionth electric power steering (EPS) system. This milestone marks the increase in demand for lateral control systems which offer motorists a greater degree of control and better fuel efficiency and is also compatible with advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features.

Nexteer was the first steering supplier to launch Brushless Motor Controlled Column Assist EPS (CEPS) which were supplied for Fiat and Volkswagen models in 1999 in Europe and this range has now grown to include Brush Motor Controlled C-EPS, Single and Dual Pinion Assist and Rack Assist variants that have been designed in tune with the demands of the global market. The EPS range, however continues to be Nexteer’s core technology, accounting for 62 percent of the company’s revenue, and exhibiting a growth of 22 percent (for the half yearly sales in 2016 when compared to similar figures for 2015).

From January 2013, Nexteer has doubled its production of EPS in order to cater to the greater global demand for such systems, especially as the system enables ADAS features like park assist, road shake reduction, lane keeping, active return, pull compensation, active damping, stability control enhancements,  and variable effort steering.

Nexteer’s EPS systems provides motorists with reliable steering control in all kinds of driving conditions with an optimal combination of electric motors, actuators, sensors and controllers. Using a Nexteer EPS system can help motorists to reduce fuel consumption by up to 6 percent and CO2 emissions by up to 8g/km.

Commenting on the benefits of using Nexteer EPS systems, Steve Spicer, Global Product Line Executive of Electric Steering, Nexteer Automotive estimated that the company’s 40 million EPS systems have helped save enough fuel to fill over 6,060 Olympic-sized pools. The product range consists of EPS systems that can be used for vehicles ranging from compact cars to full-size trucks, all while minimizing the vehicles’ carbon footprint.

In 2010, Nexteer introduced the first 12-volt EPS system for full-size trucks and now supplies steering systems for 9 out of 10 full size trucks in the U.S. market. The company attributes its growth in the EPS segment to its in-house ownership of design, manufacturing and validation as well as providing OEMs with steering systems that can be integrated seamlessly with their components and achieve goals for efficiency, weight reduction and ADAS feature compatibility.