WABCO, a global supplier of technologies that improve the safety, efficiency, and connectivity of commercial vehicles, will exhibit its most advanced technologies at the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV). The trade show takes place from September 25-28 at the Georgia World Congress Centre, in Atlanta, Georgia.
WABCO will display industry-leading safety and efficiency technologies at NACV, many of them for the first time in North America, that form the backbone of its technology road map to advance autonomous driving in the commercial vehicle industry. Apart from helping mobilise the increasing intelligence of trucks and trailers, WABCOs innovative systems also advance the operational efficiency of fleet operators across the region. In aggregate, WABCOs efficiency technologies help fleets in North America lower their fuel consumption by up to 19%.
Jacques Esculier, chairman and chief executive officer of WABCO, said: We are excited to connect with customers and other industry stakeholders at NACV 2017 to demonstrate how WABCO is applying its technology leadership to support both commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleets in this key market. As the commercial vehicle industry advances towards its vision for fully-autonomous driving, WABCO continues to pioneer innovations that will enable trucks, busses, and trailers to reach new levels of safety, efficiency and connectivity.
Furthering its strategic objective to sustain differentiation for customers in North America, WABCO recently announced a landmark acquisition to consolidate its operations in North America. The company expanded its presence in the region by signing an agreement to purchase Meritors 50% ownership of the Meritor WABCO joint venture. Meritor WABCO employs nearly 200 persons and had sales of $300mn in fiscal year 2016. The transaction is expected to close on October 1, 2017. By unifying its North America team, WABCO will unlock further value for local customers, including offering seamless access to WABCOs powerful technology and services portfolio, backed by the flexibility and efficiency of an integrated global supply chain.
In addition, WABCO recently acquired R.H. Sheppard Co, a key supplier of industry-leading steering technologies for commercial vehicles. The acquisition is a vital step toward providing lateral vehicle control through active steering, which is a cornerstone that complements WABCOs ability to control longitudinal movement through active braking, stability and suspension control systems. WABCO also announced that it signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in intuitive motion control. WABCO and Nexteer will collaborate to develop and supply active steering systems for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. WABCO will showcase its newly acquired steering capabilities and innovative applications at NACV.
Jon Morrison, president for WABCO Americas, said: Following WABCOs acquisitions of MICO and Laydon Composites in 2016, these two recent transactions continue to expand WABCOs operations and technology capabilities in North America all to better serve customers in the region. Continued differentiation through technology leadership, customer-centricity, and excellence in execution will sustain WABCOs exceptional growth.
WABCO will display breakthrough safety technologies that help mobilise vehicle intelligence and that represent key milestones to advance the development of fully-autonomous commercial vehicles.