Wabco Holdings Inc., a global technology leader and tier-one supplier to the commercial vehicle industry, has launched its industry-first modular braking system platform (mBSP) and already won major awards for this breakthrough technology from two global commercial vehicle manufacturers headquartered in Europe. Wabco's latest innovative braking architecture now enables its customers to interchangeably equip their diverse global truck and bus platforms with anti-lock braking (ABS) or electronic braking (EBS) systems based on regional market or regulatory requirements worldwide.
Building on decades of experience gained from pioneering advanced braking systems for the commercial vehicle industry, Wabco's next generation braking platform, mBSP, features the highest degree of standardization in the industry across both components and system software of its ABS and EBS systems. Wabco mBSP reduces the number of ABS components by 50 percent to the same amount of components as in EBS. By leveraging the advantages of Wabco's unique mBSP system, vehicle manufacturers can significantly reduce system development, installation and software testing time, accelerate homologation for their diverse brands and vehicle portfolios globally, and bring new trucks and buses to market faster. Wabco mBSP also accommodates the seamless integration of customer’s own software and added system functionalities.
With Wabco's modular braking system, ABS and EBS components use the same mounting interfaces and connections on the commercial vehicle platform. Therefore, WABCO enables global truck and bus makers to tailor their vehicle platforms to regional requirements by interchangeably equipping them with either ABS or EBS. In addition, Wabco's modular approach helps commercial vehicle manufacturers to develop a range from value-based to premium truck and bus models on the same vehicle platforms depending on market needs.
“As the industry leader for innovation in braking systems, Wabco is the first to present a game-changing modular braking system offering a high degree of flexibility and scalability for trucks and buses globally. We are proud to launch a ‘plug-and-play’ solution that can also efficiently accommodate customized functionality from vehicle makers for their diverse vehicle platforms,” said Jacques Esculier, Wabco chairman and chief executive officer. “We are delighted to have received these first awards from two leading global commercial vehicle manufacturers based in Europe to equip their next-generation trucks and buses for markets worldwide with Wabco's mBSP.”
Wabco recently closed deals with two global commercial vehicle manufacturers headquartered in Europe for this differentiated braking solution. The first award represents the single largest deal in Wabco history. Wabco will provide mBSP with ABS and EBS applications for the customer to equip its next generation of trucks and buses. These commercial vehicles will be manufactured in Europe, North America, Brazil and India from 2017 through 2021. Wabco will supply its advanced braking systems to support production of more than 450,000 new trucks and buses for several of the customer’s leading vehicle brands worldwide. Wabco will provide EBS for the second customer’s range of commercial vehicles from 2018 through 2022. Ultimately, Wabco will furnish approximately 175,000 of this customer’s new trucks with EBS to serve primarily markets across Europe. WABCO previously announced the incremental business associated with both awards in April 2014.
For many years, Wabco has already supplied both customers with an industry-leading portfolio of electronic control systems and innovative solutions for braking, transmission and chassis applications that improve vehicle safety, control and efficiency.
Wabco will feature its breakthrough mBSP amongst other highlights from the company’s global portfolio of industry-leading vehicle safety and efficiency technologies at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2014.