Nexteer Wins Contracts for Single Pinion Electric Power Steering

According to a recently released company statement, specialist electric power steering (EPS) supplier Nexteer Automotive has won a number of substantial orders from major European car manufacturers. Under the new contract, the company will supply a number of single pinion systems, with Nexteer’s product likely to become one of the technology of choice for future premium compacts.

Premium steering feel requirements, packaging constraints or crashworthiness are steadily combining to made single pinion EPS units popular with a number of European manufacturers. The system is much safer for passengers in case of accidents, as the electric motor has been mounted next to the steering pinion in the engine compartment, instead of on the steering column.

“These contract wins for our single pinion system confirm Nexteer’s leading position in EPS systems development. Our focus on EPS has enabled us to develop a best-in-class steering system that exploits advances in materials and manufacturing processes. Nexteer technology is already fitted in some of the most critically acclaimed cars of recent times, including the Citroen DS3,” says Nexteer’s Executive Director Global Sales and Marketing and Executive Director for Europe, Laurent Bresson.

Another benefit of the Nexteer product is that it reduces the CO2 emissions that are making smaller cars popular. That’s why a growing number of future vehicle platforms will fit EPS to help comply with CO2 reduction targets.

“Replacing a hydraulic system with an on-demand electrically powered system from Nexteer reduces fuel consumption by up to 6 per cent, which corresponds to around 8g/km of CO2. That can be up to 30 percent of a carmaker’s CO2 reduction target for 2015,” says Bresson.