Annual Report 2012 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

Management Report
23
Production of air-braked trucks over 6 t fell 11% year-onyear
to 395,000 units, still well behind the pre-crisis level
of 562,000 vehicles built in 2008. Under the impact of the
debate over the continued membership of the Eurozone
of the crisis-hit southern European countries, the second
half-year in particular was marked by reticence on the
part of buyers and by falling demand. The same picture
was reflected in the Western European trailer market,
where production was 6% down on the previous year at
172,000 units, as well as in the aftermarket, where Spain
and Italy were the worst hit.
In the CIS states, truck output fell 8% to 100,000 airbraked
trucks over 6 t. The volume of the aftermarket, by
contrast, showed a slight increase, given that the vehicle
population here is steadily growing and levels of equipment
are rising.
Along with the disc brake, the key sales drivers in Europe
in 2012 were electronic braking systems. In the year under
review, the technology leadership of Knorr-Bremse
products was confirmed by their inclusion in several new
vehicle platforms. Thus Knorr-Bremse contributed key
technologies to the new Volvo platform. Along with the
latest generation of the electronic braking system EBS7,
Knorr-Bremse is also providing air supply units, pedal
units and compressors – with and without clutch – for
the new Euro VI engines installed in the platform. The
new valve unit for the air suspension is also being supplied
by Knorr-Bremse. In the course of 2013, these products
will be joined by the new anti-lock brake system
ABS8 that will be installed, for example, in those vehicles
based on the platform that Volvo will be shipping to the
BRIC countries.
The growing importance of the market for spares, training
courses, diagnostics and other services related to
vehicles already in service is reflected in the planned
establishment of a joint venture with the Automotive
Aftermarket unit of Robert Bosch GmbH and with ZF
Friedrichshafen AG. Subject to approval by the antitrust
authorities, the joint venture will, in mid-2013, begin offering
services such as a hotline, technical training courses
and information, diagnostics, workshop equipment
and quality management for multi-brand commercial
vehicle workshops.
In the trailer segment too, Knorr-Bremse scored a major success
in 2012, securing a framework agreement with Schmitz
Cargobull AG for the supply of trailer EBS, disc brakes and
brake cylinders that runs until December 31, 2014.
In Russia, Knorr-Bremse posted further growth in 2012. In
the year under review, several Knorr-Bremse sites in Russia
and Western Europe began preparing to supply modular
braking system components for a new bus generation
to be built by the largest Russian automobile group
GAZ, with whom an agreement governing the development
and production of the complete braking system
was concluded. Start of production for the new product
line is slated for 2013 or 2014. In addition, the joint venture
between Knorr-Bremse and the Russian commercial
vehicle manufacturer KAMAZ, Knorr-Bremse KAMA, concluded
two agreements in the year under review governing
the supply of a new power clutch to KAMAZ and ZF
Kama. Series production is scheduled to start in the third
quarter of 2013.
North America
Rail Vehicle Systems
The North American rail vehicle market showed further
growth in 2012. Freight car production again increased,
rising from 47,000 units in the previous year to 59,000
units. On top of this, 1,200 locomotives were built, with
North American customers taking delivery of 790 units
and the remaining 410 being exported. In the passenger
transportation sector the market remained buoyant, not
least on account of the expansion and construction of
mass transit systems.