Press Releases

Participation in the AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture (AUTOSAR) Alliance opens up new perspectives for the company’s electronic systems business

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – 7 JANUARY 2008 – WABCO, one of the leading providers of electronic braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems for the commercial vehicle industry, today announced that it has joined the AUTOSAR Alliance. AUTOSAR is an open and standardized software architecture jointly developed by OEMs, suppliers and tool developers to manage the growing complexity of electrical/electronic systems and facilitate the exchange and update of software and hardware over the service life of a vehicle.

WABCO offers a wide range of technologically advanced control systems that improve vehicle safety and reduce overall vehicle operating costs for the world’s leading commercial truck, trailer and bus manufacturers.  These systems require a high level of integration to ensure functional compatibility and reliability of Electronic Braking Systems (EBS), Electronic Stability Control Systems (ESC), Driver Assistance Systems (DAS), Electronically Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) and Electronic Air Processing Units (E-APUs) with the rest of a vehicle’s electronic architecture.

Dr. Christian Wiehen, vice president product development for WABCO, said:  “AUTOSAR membership is an important strategic step that enables us to continually evolve our vehicle electronics architecture in-line with open industry standards.  Modern commercial vehicles are equipped with an increasing array of electronic systems and more electronic innovations are to come. In parallel, the role software plays within a vehicle has drastically changed over the last decade.“

Implications for the passenger car business
WABCO also offers four-corner air suspension and continuously variable shock absorber control systems for luxury car, SUV and light commercial vehicles, and recently entered the compact car segment with innovative two-corner and rear axle systems.  In addition, the company has developed a family of compressors for each type of air suspension system.   These full suspension systems integrate components such as electronic control units (ECUs), solenoid valves, sensors, wiring and relays.  The company expects the number of passenger cars equipped with air suspension systems to grow to 1.8 million units annually by 2015*.

Daniel Samson, WABCO vice president, Car Systems, said:  “Being a member of AUTOSAR will further enhance our ability to position our electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS), continuously variable shock absorber control and compressor technologies for future market growth.”   AUTOSAR Partners and members include more than 100 premium and global car and commercial vehicle manufacturers and top suppliers. www.autosar.org.

*Based on internal data.

Editors Notes
WABCO is one of the world's leading providers of electronic braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems for heavy duty commercial vehicles. Customers include the world's leading commercial truck, trailer and bus manufacturers. Founded in the U.S. in 1869 as Westinghouse Air Brake Company, WABCO was acquired by American Standard in 1968 and spun off in 2007.  Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, WABCO employs more than 7,000 people in 34 offices and production facilities worldwide.  In 2006, WABCO's total sales were $2 billion.  WABCO is a publicly traded company and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock symbol WBC.  Web site: www.wabco-auto.com.

Media contact:
Tobias Müller, +49-69-719168-34, mailto:tobias.mueller@klenkhoursch.de