Red Dot Award for MAHLE A/C service unit

Stuttgart/Germany, May 07, 2020 - The jury is in: MAHLE has won the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020 for its ACX 480 air conditioning service unit. The Red Dot is one of the most soughtafter quality marks for good design in the world. The MAHLE A/C service unit has been recognized for its outstanding design quality in the new Smart Products metacategory. The ACX 480 is characterized by modern and elegant aesthetics and its ergonomic and intuitive operating concept. Maintenance of vehicle air conditioning systems in workshops is thus up to 50 percent faster.

  • MAHLE ACX 480 A/C service unit wins prestigious award in the Smart Products category
  • ACX 480 impresses with its design quality and ergonomic operating concept

“MAHLE has more than 30 years of experience in constructing A/C service units. When designing the ACX 480, we paid close attention to the needs of workshops: simple operation and a functional design as well as a robust construction capable of withstanding workshop conditions. We are proud to have this recognized and our work confirmed with such a prestigious award,” explained Olaf Henning, Corporate Executive Vice President and General Manager MAHLE Aftermarket.

Moreover, the ACX 480 is also clever: using a smartphone app, workshop technicians can view workflows and the unit status or automatically order a service. The ASA interface on the unit and the integration of the unit in the workshop network enable fast data exchange. The large touch screen, which is standard on all units, provides the user with a continuous display of all information and programmed procedures, as well as the current status. The service technician can continue to work on the vehicle while automatic software updates are performed in the background via Wi-Fi. For a time-saving service, the devices can be maintained remotely: workshops are able to obtain fast support directly on the unit via Wi-Fi. Workshops have the option of upgrading the A/C service units with the MAHLE vehicle diagnostics tool—the new MAHLE TechPRO® or BRAIN BEE Connex from MAHLE Aftermarket. The diagnostic system can detect and eliminate faults in the electronics or air conditioning system and check the status of the system and individual components. To better diagnose complex faults, the system can also activate compressors, valves, and fans.

About the Red Dot Award

Since 1955, the Red Dot Design Award has been conferred in three disciplines: Product Design, Brands & Communication Design, and Design Concept. From products, brand communication, and creative projects to design concepts and prototypes, the Red Dot Award documents the most prominent trends worldwide. The award-winning designs are showcased in exhibitions around the world and in the Red Dot Design Museums as well as in yearbooks and online. In 2020, designers and companies from 60 countries submitted more than 6,500 products to the competition. An international jury, made up of experienced professionals from various specialist areas, has been convening for the last 65 years or so to select the best designs. The adjudication process spans several days and is based on two fundamental criteria: the jurors test all of the entries in order to assess not only their aesthetics but also the materials selected, the level of craftsmanship, the surface structure, ergonomics, and functionality. They only make a decision on the design quality of the products after discussing them at length. True to the motto “In search of good design and innovation,” only the best designs receive an award.

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 group generated sales of approximately EUR 12.0 billion with more than 77,000 employees and is represented in more than 30 countries with 160 production sites.

About MAHLE Aftermarket

MAHLE Aftermarket, the business unit specializing in spare parts, uses the expertise from the series production of original equipment in its automotive aftermarket 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 approximately EUR 950 million.

For further information, contact:

MAHLE GmbH
Christopher Rimmele
Corporate Communications/Public Relations
Pragstraße 26–46
70376 Stuttgart/Germany

Phone: +49 711 501-12374
Fax: +49 711 501-13700
christopher.rimmele@mahle.com