Würzburg, December 19, 2007
Continental does not want to further develop the electronic wedge brake. This was reported to "Automobil Industrie" by company sources. "Before the EU decision, the wedge brake issue was played down at Conti. This was to avoid the company being suspected of using its dominant market position to prevent a new technology," the insider believes. Now Conti wants to put the development on hold to prevent the new technology from cannibalizing the high-yield business with hydraulic brakes. Continental and Bosch dominate the global market for hydraulic brake systems.
According to the insider, Conti has already stopped two customer orders. The OEMs concerned, which he did not want to name explicitly, are "very angry". However, there has been speculation in the past that Audi wants to use a fully electronic brake in the new A6 (from 2010) - initially on the rear axle to gain experience.
In response to an inquiry from "Automobil Industrie", Continental confirmed that no decision had yet been made on the series use of the purchased wedge brake. "We have initiated extensive tests and investigations," said a company spokeswoman. There is no doubt that the wedge brake is a highly interesting solution for an electromechanical brake. However, it is now necessary to see how it will meet the requirements for safety, series production and cost efficiency. These investigations have not yet been completed.
In addition to the decision on the wedge brake, Conti is also considering the sale of the Würzburg electric motor plant. The speculation about the VDO plant in Lower Franconia was triggered by Conti CEO Manfred Wennemer himself. In a speech to VDO employees in Regensburg on December 5, he spoke of the sale of plants in the electric motors business segment, including Würzburg: "The sales talks, initiated by Siemens VDO, are continuing," the Würzburg daily Mainpost quoted Wennemer as saying. The Coburg-based Brose Group, to which the Würzburg plant supplies electric motors, and the Japanese electric motor manufacturer Nidec are said to be interested.
Technical details on the principle of the wedge brake can be found on the Internet at www.automobil-industrie.vogel.de.
Please cite "Automobil Industrie" as the source when publishing.
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