MAHLE Aftermarket enhances service offer of independent repair shops with the introduction of the turbocharger range

Press release [PDF; 186 KB]
Press picture MAHLE Turbochargers [JPG; 2752 KB]

Frankfurt, 11 September 2012 – Downsizing—or reducing displacement and the number of cylinders—all without a turbocharger? Unimaginable. An increasing number of engines are being fitted with turbochargers—not just commercial vehicles, but passenger cars as well. A mega trend from which the aftermarket stands to benefit at the same time. Also thanks to the growing product range MAHLE for trade and repair shops.

The turbocharger has provided the combustion engine with powerful propulsion in recent years. Now installed as standard in diesel engines—both for commercial vehicles and passenger cars—, the turbocharger is also more frequently regarded as a means to increase propulsion and acceleration at considerably reduced consumption levels for petrol engines. With modern, direct injection petrol engines with lower displacement, the use of exhaust gas energy is part of the overall concept for compliance with ever more stringent emissions regulations. This is why approximately half of all petrol engines manufactured in Europe will be equipped with turbochargers in the near future.

550 million turbochargers throughout the world

Market analysts calculate the global number of vehicles with turbochargers to currently be at approximately 365 million and forecast very dynamic growth for the future. In 2018, there will probably be more than 550 million turbochargers installed in combustion engines across the world—with more than 50 per cent on European roads.

The turbocharger is designed for the vehicle’s complete service life. In practice, however, contaminated oil, poor oil supply, excessive exhaust gas temperatures, or foreign bodies penetrating the turbocharger while in operation may occasionally cause damage. Currently, the sales volume for turbochargers as a spare part accounts for more than EUR 1 billion per year. A lucrative market, which should grow to an estimated EUR 1.7 billion per year by 2018.

MAHLE Original turbochargers—powerful even in the passenger car segment

In order to provide independent repair shops and trade with the opportunity to participate in this market expansion, MAHLE has extended its recently launched and successful turbocharger range for the aftermarket to include the first passenger car applications. During the course of this year, the range will be extended by 20 to 25 passenger car turbochargers—including applications for Volkswagen, Renault, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The passenger car turbocharger range shall cover around 95 per cent of all passenger car engines relevant to the independent spare parts market by 2014. The corresponding mounting kits required to replace a turbocharger will be made available as soon as possible, too. MAHLE Original turbochargers are developed with the support from Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems and comply with the specifications from vehicle and engine manufacturers.

In order for trade and repair shops to choose from as complete a range as possible, the portfolio of MAHLE Original turbochargers has been supplemented with products in original equipment quality from other renowned manufacturers. To ensure a smooth ordering process, these parts have been incorporated into the catalogue according to the familiar article number system.

High level of availability

The constant expansion of the product range and the permanent development of the logistics services guarantee a high level of product availability: the MAHLE turbocharger range is available from all central und regional warehouses of MAHLE Aftermarket.

The MAHLE experts for sales and technical service can be contacted by the repair shops and dealerships across the globe for any questions relating to turbochargers. Moreover, there is a series of helpful information material available to assist trade and repair shops when replacing turbochargers. Besides two repair shop posters providing practical information about the turbo check and failure analysis, help is also provided in the form of a product brochure and an extensive reference work for failure analysis and repair. In addition, each turbocharger is supplied with detailed installation instructions. Capturing all relevant data in the TecDoc electronic information system and a special turbocharger catalogue round off this information package. All documents are available from your MAHLE sales partner.

With MAHLE, you can be sure: “In future, replacing damaged turbochargers will be part of the range of services offered by every independent repair shop carrying out close-to-the-engine repairs. At MAHLE, we want to make our contribution towards enabling independent repair shops to offer this service professionally and with top products in original equipment quality”, adds Arnd Franz, General Manager MAHLE Aftermarket, to explain the long-term goals for this product segment.

About MAHLE

The MAHLE Group is one of the 30 largest companies in the automotive supply industry worldwide. With its two business units Engine Systems and Components and Filtration and Engine Peripherals, MAHLE ranks among the top three systems suppliers worldwide for piston systems, cylinder components, as well as valve train, air management, and liquid management systems. MAHLE’s industrial activities are combined in the Industry business unit. These include the areas of large engines, industrial filtration, as well as cooling and air conditioning systems. The Aftermarket business unit serves the independent spare parts market with MAHLE products in OE quality. In 2011, the MAHLE Group generated sales of approximately EUR 6 billion; around 49,000 employees work at over 100 production plants and eight research and development centres.

Further queries:
MAHLE Aftermarket GmbH
Andrea Arnold
Corporate Communications/Public Relations
Pragstrasse 26–46
70376 Stuttgart
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 711/501-13124
Fax: +49 (0) 711/501-13700
andrea.arnold@mahle.com