Schaeffler AG has started series production of its rear axle steering system for a major German carmaker at its Kysuce facility in Slovakia during the first quarter of 2025. This marks a notable step in the company’s continued expansion in intelligent chassis systems demonstrating growing interest in its rear-wheel steering technology across multiple global markets. The rear axle steering system, now being developed for seven models across three continents, has also received six new orders from various automotive clients, with scheduled rollouts continuing through 2027.
The steering system will be manufactured in Europe, China, and the Americas, aligning with Schaeffler’s localisation strategy and its push for scalable mobility solutions. This development further strengthens Schaeffler’s position in the Motion Technology sector, particularly in the intelligent chassis domain, where responsiveness, precision, and packaging efficiency are increasingly crucial to electric and high-performance vehicles.
What stands out is the deeper vertical integration Schaeffler is achieving with its latest generation of chassis components. Following its integration with Vitesco Technologies, the company has enhanced its in-house capabilities in electronics, sensors, and control software. The rear axle steering system now benefits from proprietary inductive displacement sensors and an internally developed power pack, reducing reliance on external suppliers and enabling shorter development cycles. This also allows greater customisation and system-level performance calibration for OEMs.
Schaeffler’s rear axle steering unit is built around a planetary screw drive mechanism, which converts rotary motor motion into linear push-rod movement with minimal friction. This design allows for a more compact packaging and higher mechanical efficiency than traditional systems. The steering system enhances vehicle agility at low speeds and stability at high speeds, while significantly reducing the turning radius, benefits that make it particularly suited for electric SUVs and urban mobility platforms.
Also Read