Alternative powertrain technologies are an opportunity for workshops and trade

MAHLE sees enormous opportunities and new business segments for workshops in the mobility transformation and evolution of the automotive industry. In the opinion of Olaf Henning, General Manager of MAHLE Aftermarket, thermal management in particular will grow in importance, in view of the increasing number of electric and hybrid vehicles. However, innovative filter systems and new developments for hygienic cleaning of vehicle cabins to protect against infections are also on the list of innovations being explored by the MAHLE Group’s business unit specializing in spare parts and workshop equipment. The company offers customized spare parts and tailor-made workshop solutions—for the entire range of conventional and alternative drive types. And it has been a success: despite an economically challenging market environment, MAHLE Aftermarket increased its sales by 2.4 percent to EUR 950 million in 2019 and further expanded its global presence.

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With a broad portfolio covering conventional and alternative powertrains, MAHLE is a reliable partner for workshops and helps them to become future-proof along the diversified powertrain.

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The MAHLE Group makes use of its know-how as an original equipment manufacturer to support workshops in its Aftermarket business in opening up new business areas.

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  • MAHLE Aftermarket supports customers in tapping into future business segments
  • Thermal management for electric and hybrid cars is becoming increasingly important and offers significant business potential for workshops
  • New filter systems for clean vehicle cabins, for cars with alternative drives, air management of fuel cells, or for the different fuel qualities around the world
  • New developments for hygienic cleaning of vehicle cabins to protect against infections
  • MAHLE Aftermarket increased its sales to EUR 950 million in 2019 and achieved further growth in a challenging environment

“The work carried out in workshops will change dramatically in view of the increasing diversification of the vehicle fleet. However, we believe that the advent of alternative powertrain technologies in workshops should in no way be seen as a threat to their business. On the contrary, we see an array of new business areas and activities that present the company with new opportunities and possibilities,” explained Olaf Henning, Corporate Executive Vice President and General Manager MAHLE Aftermarket on Wednesday in Stuttgart. “If independent workshops decide to embrace this transformation, we’re the right partner to have by their side.”

The challenges are multifaceted: With an increasingly diverse selection of powertrain technologies on the market, the number of spare parts and service units required will increase dramatically. The proportion of modular components in the vehicle that combine a variety of functions is also continuously growing. This requires a broader range of tools and service units, as well as more training and further education for workshop technicians.

MAHLE Aftermarket benefits from the group’s approach of being open to all technologies, developing products for both conventional and all alternative drive types as part of its dual strategy. This allows MAHLE Aftermarket to supply workshops and the wholesale trade with a comprehensive range of necessary spare parts, service solutions, and services that enable them to tap into the new areas of potential for the future.

With the acquisition of the majority share in Behr Hella Services on January 1, 2020,MAHLE has reinforced its capabilities to provide more specific equipment and support to workshops in the area of thermal management.

In the past few years, MAHLE Aftermarket has also positioned itself more broadly in the area of filtration, and is a leader in clean cabin technologies and air management of fuel cells. MAHLE has developed new high-performancefilters specifically for vehicles with a fuel cell drive, which reliably separate harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia, as well as particles, in order to prevent damage to the cell. MAHLE also anticipates significant service volumes for workshops in the medium term.

Today, MAHLE already has a portfolio of over 300 filters specifically for vehicles with alternative drives, which will be further expanded in line with the development of markets and fleets. A challenge primarily facing the wholesale trade is the topic of fuel quality, as engines are becoming increasingly complex and also more sensitive. As a globally operating group, MAHLE is working systematically to offer its international customers the ideal filter solution for their region. MAHLE Aftermarket has developed the new CleanLine and CleanLine+ filters, available worldwide in two variants. The single-stage variant filters dirt particles and water in one step. The more effective, two-stage variant filters in two separate steps: first the dirt, and then the water through a synthetic fabric. In this way, the sensitive injection systems are protected from damage. This can be done economically and simply by selecting the most appropriate design for the regional fuel quality.

In addition, MAHLE Aftermarket is continuously expanding its Service Solutions business for workshop equipment to allow workshops to perform reliable and economic vehicle diagnostics and maintenance in close cooperation with the vehicle manufacturers. MAHLE’s innovations in the calibration of advanced driver assistance systems, the increasingly important air conditioning service, the transmission oil service, and the hygienic cleaning of vehicle cabins to protect against infections are therefore particularly relevant. With its new OzonePRO unit, MAHLE Aftermarket has added a product for the hygienic sanitization of passenger cars, buses, and commercial vehicles to its service unit range. Especially in the current situation, this device can be helpful for car rental companies and logistics service providers. They can use it to ensure that cabins are free of germs and odors when handing over the vehicle to customers. In addition to vehicles, the unit is suitable for use in hotel rooms and business premises.

MAHLE Aftermarket is constantly developing its further training program for workshops. This is centered on repair and maintenance information services provided directly via the service units, as well as training opportunities for employees via the Technical Messenger or the MAHLE Customer Care Portal. 

About MAHLE

MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry as well as a pioneer for the mobility of the future. The group’s product portfolio addresses all the crucial issues relating to the powertrain and air conditioning technology—both for drives with combustion engines and for e‑mobility. In 2019, the technology group generated sales of approximately EUR 12.0 billion with more than 77,000 employees and is represented in over 30 countries with 160 production locations.

About MAHLE Aftermarket

MAHLE Aftermarket, the business unit specializing in spare parts, uses the expertise from the series production of original equipment in its product range and supplies trade, workshop, and engine repair partners. The portfolio also includes products developed by MAHLE Service Solutions for workshop equipment as well as comprehensive services and customized training programs. MAHLE Aftermarket is represented at 25 locations and other sales offices worldwide, with around 1,700 employees. In 2019, the business unit achieved a global sales volume of about EUR 950 million.

Contacts in MAHLE Corporate Communications

Ruben Danisch
Head of Corporate and Product Communications 
Phone: +49 711 501-12199
E-mail: ruben.danisch@mahle.com

Christopher Rimmele
Product, Technology, and Aftermarket Communications Spokesman
Phone: +49 711 501-12374
E-mail: christopher.rimmele@mahle.com