Vehicle dynamics

The market for products that improve vehicle dynamics is growing continuously. Driving characteristics and vehicle dynamics are becoming increasingly important differentiation factors and brand features for automotive manufacturers, particularly in the passenger car industry, at a time when cooperation between different manufacturers is increasing in order to reduce operating costs.

Through determined product development work, Haldex has established a strong market position as a supplier of world-leading technology.

Four-wheel drive

This applies in particular to four-wheel drive, an area in which the fourth generation of our continuously upgraded system is now being introduced by General Motors. In February 2008, a completely new plant was opened in Mexico for production of Haldex four-wheel drive systems and electronic differential brakes for delivery to a number of General Motors platforms in North America and Europe. The new Saab 9-3 XWD is the first car from General Motors to be equipped with Haldex’s new four-wheel drive system.

During 2007, Haldex also received its first prototype order from Hyundai-Kia Motors in South Korea for an electronic four-wheel drive system based on the fourth generation of Haldex AWD. It was not only the first order from Hyundai-Kia Motors, but also the first order from an Asian car manufacturer.

At the same time, development of the fifthgeneration cost-effective, four-wheel drive system is now in progress in cooperation with several vehicle manufacturers. Two prototype installations are being tested during the winter of 2008 and production is expected to begin in 2011.

The mechanical components of Haldex’s four-wheel drive systems are essentially the same for different car models, but vehicle dynamics can be customized through various programming and control systems to meet each manufacturer’s individual preferences and requirements. The combination of mechanics and electronics – mechatronics – provides considerable flexibility, while Haldex’s modular approach reduces costs for vehicle manufacturers.

Haldex has also developed a system with a controllable differential slip that improves the vehicle’s traction and stability when maneuvering at high speeds.

The first generation of Haldex’s four-wheel drive system was introduced in 1998. Through continued product development, the system characteristics have been refined and improved for each new generation. Haldex is one of the leading suppliers of four-wheel drive systems and its business is outperforming the market in terms of growth both in Europe and the US.

To continue to strengthen its leading position, Haldex is also working with the next technology generation, a system for torque vectoring, known as Haldex Dual Torque Drive, which offers significant improvements with regard to vehicle dynamics, compared with traditional four-wheel drive systems.