ZF TRW through its joint venture, Brakes India Limited, has won the first business award for its Electric Park Brake (EPB) system in India. Launching with a major global vehicle manufacturer, the technology will start production in 2017 – marking the first launch of its kind for the Indian market.

EPB is part of ZF TRW’s ongoing commitment to enhance overall brake system performance and driver safety and comfort. In addition to providing park brake functionality, EPB is a fully integral part of the brake system with features such as dynamic actuation and brake pad wear sensing and reduces the degradation associated with mechanical systems. The EPB also helps enhance safety in emergency situations with full four-wheel anti-lock functionality versus standard park brake that provides emergency braking only on the rear axle.

Manfred Meyer, global vice president, Braking Engineering, commented: “ZF TRW was first to market globally with its EPB system in 2001 which pioneered with Lancia, Audi and VW and more recently on the BMW X4 and BMW i8, Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, Ford F150, Honda Accord, Nissan Qashqai, Range Rover Evoque and more. We have now produced more than 65 million units as the world leader in this technology. With our vast experience and global footprint, we are ideally positioned to bring the performance and safety benefits of EPB to all vehicles and in all regions.”

ZF TRW offers a range of EPB solutions including standard EPB, integrated EPB, which removes the requirement for a separate Electronic Control Unit (ECU) due to its integration with the Electronic Stability Control system, and EPB for front axles, which can help to make the technology more suitable for smaller vehicle segments.

Mr Badri Vijayaraghavan, executive director, Business Development, Brakes India said: “Brakes India – with its strong joint venture partnership with ZF TRW – has been offering a range of technologies including ABS to the growing Indian market for several years. This launch marks yet another milestone in our commitment to enhance safety, performance and comfort for vehicles in this region.

“India will continue to be dominated by small cars with rear drum brakes. The offering of a front EPB opens up a wealth of opportunity regarding EPB installation due to its packaging and performance benefits.”

With a strong fifty year long partnership, Brakes India and ZF TRW are set to enhance their presence in the Indian market by introducing the latest braking technology and taking the safety of vehicles to the next level in one of the fastest growing markets in the world.