MAHLE posts record sales in China for 2020, presents full range at Auto Shanghai 2021

Despite the ongoing difficult situation in the global automotive markets due to the coronavirus pandemic, MAHLE posted record sales in China for the 2020 business year. Adjusted for negative exchange rate effects, the Stuttgart-based automotive supplier’s business in China grew by almost 4 percent compared with the previous year to EUR 1,303 million.

The Thermal Management business unit proved the Group’s strongest segment in terms of sales, accounting for some EUR 370 million, or almost 30 percent of total sales.

The Filtration and Engine Peripherals business line developed especially positively, increasing its sales by around 10 percent to some EUR 335 million. The Electronics and Mechatronics business unit, newly established in early 2020, got off to a successful start: it contributed to MAHLE’s strong overall performance in China to the tune of approximately EUR 170 million in sales.

The Group is currently showcasing about 150 innovations and product solutions at the ongoing Auto Shanghai automotive show, which runs till April 28, 2021. Around two-thirds of these exhibits are from the alternative drives and thermal management fields of technology.

“China is one of our most important and promising markets. The fact that we were able to conclude the year with record sales there, in spite of the pandemic, is strong evidence of our attractive product portfolio as well as our company’s resilience and robustness,” says Michael Frick, Chairman of the Management Board (ad interim) and Member of the Management Board Finance at MAHLE.

Product highlights for the Asian market

By exhibiting at Auto Shanghai 2021, MAHLE is confirming the importance of the Chinese market for the Group’s activities.

“We are particularly pleased that we can present our product solutions this year at the most important trade fair for the automotive industry in Asia and hold face-to-face discussions with existing and potential customers once again,” says Kun Hu, General Manager at MAHLE in China.

Among other exhibits, MAHLE is showcasing are the latest generation of high- voltage PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heaters. An innovative method of integrating the electronics makes these heating elements more compact, lighter, and cheaper. Combined with a heat pump, the cruising ranges of electric vehicles can thus be extended by up to 20 percent and more when temperatures are around freezing.

The electric compressor from MAHLE is another product highlight. As the beating heart of the air conditioning and refrigerant circuit, it controls the temperature in the cabin, but most importantly, it is responsible for the air conditioning of the battery in electric vehicles. Keeping the battery at the right temperature makes a crucial impact on its service life and charging speed as well as on the cruising range of the vehicle.

At the same time, the e-compressor allows fast charging of the battery when the vehicle is stationary. This rapid charging capability is making a substantial contribution to e-mobility’s widespread acceptance by consumers.

MAHLE

MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry. The technology group is committed to playing an active role in transforming the mobility of the future by further optimizing the combustion engine, driving forward the use of alternative fuels, and laying the foundation for the worldwide introduction of e-mobility and other alternative drives, such as fuel cells. The Group’s product portfolio addresses all the crucial aspects of the powertrain and air conditioning technology.

In 2019, MAHLE generated sales of approximately EUR 12.0 billion and is represented in over 30 countries with more than 77,000 employees in 160 production locations and 16 major research and development centers.