ZF Group Secures Strategic Orders in India, Enters Powertrain and Tyre Testing Market with Multi-Million Euro Projects

ZF Group, a worldwide technology company supplying mobility systems and solutions in engineering, has secured three major orders for new-generation testing systems in India. The multi-million euro deals comprise the delivery of high-capacity powertrain and tyre testing systems to major, pan-India automotive customers, ZF's official entry into the Indian vehicle validation and test infrastructure business. However, the cost of the order has not been announced yet.

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India's First 440kW Direct-Drive Powertrain Test Bench

Among the orders is India's first differential unit test bench of 440kW, featuring a direct-drive 3E dynamometer setup. The high-performance system does away with the intermediate gearboxes, minimising energy losses and optimising test accuracy. The addition of a movable dyno, with horizontal shifting capability, provides flexibility for future powertrain configurations, which is highly applicable to electric vehicles (EVs).

In contrast to typical test benches that are based on gear-type torque transfer, ZF's configuration enables accurate, real-time testing for high-torque and high-speed applications such as e-axles and integrated electric drivetrains.

Tyre Testing Infrastructure: R&D and End-of-Line Capabilities

The remaining two orders are:

• Multiple tyre R&D test benches for a leading Indian tire manufacturer, including rolling resistance, endurance, and high-speed tests for passenger cars as well as two-wheelers.
• Three end-of-line (EOL) automated test systems for a second Indian manufacturer, to check tire quality through accuracy balancing and uniformity tests during production.

The systems facilitate both local (AIS) and international homologation requirements, further improving quality control for export products.

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Technology Differentiation: For Future Mobility

ZF's test systems are unique due to:

• Direct-shaft configurations, minimising mechanical complexity
• Integrated software platforms for data acquisition and diagnostics
• Scalability in both ICE and electric powertrain variants
• Modular architecture, enabling OEMs to enhance capabilities later

The new platforms are Industry 4.0-ready with remote monitoring, digital twin simulation, and cloud integration capabilities that are in sync with the changing needs of the markets.

Who Are the Buyers?

Though names of clients are kept confidential, ZF has said that the test benches are being installed by companies having pan-India presence in tire and automobile manufacturing. The orders also indicate a wider trend in India's automobile sector, wherein Tier-1s and OEMs are investing in in-house validation capabilities instead of depending on imported systems or foreign-based testing.

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Is India a Future Hub for ZF Test Systems?

On the development, Akash Passey, President, ZF Group India, added, "These orders are a moment of pride for ZF as we introduce our most sophisticated test technologies to India. They not only create new performance standards but also act as reference projects for the region."

The firm views India as a possible region of base for test system engineering and support, particularly as the nation ramps up EV manufacturing, battery testing, and exports of global components. ZF's extensive test systems portfolio encompasses modules for brakes, drivetrains, active chassis, and even ADAS validation.

Also Read: ZF LifeTec Rearranges The Airbag Position On The Steering Wheel

Policy, Trade, and Competitor Landscape

ZF's market entry timing aligns with:

• India's initiative for domestic EV component testing infrastructure
• Growing global attention to supply chain reliability
• Increased interest among Indian companies to nearshore via Mexico and Canada, both countries having FTAs with America, allowing for duty-free exports

Compared to competitors such as AVL or Horiba, the strength that ZF has is that it is both a supplier of components as well as a systems integrator, allowing for very high customisation and improved lifecycle alignment for its customers.