- First Korean company to independently develop the world’s lightest, top quality, and least expensive brake system for commercial vehicles
- The combination of the new brake system and hybrid vehicle parts and auto electronics is expected to create synergy and bring Hyundai closer to developing the “Integrated Vehicle Control System”

Hyundai Mobis has succeeded in developing proprietary technology for producing the world’s lightest, top quality, and least expensive braking system for commercial vehicles. That makes the Korean auto parts producer a strong competitor in the global market that has been dominated by a handful of Japanese and German suppliers.

Hyundai Mobis (www.mobis.co.kr), which has been steadily raising its profile as a key parts supplier with the production of auto electronics products and hybrid vehicle parts, recently announced its success in developing a braking system for commercial vehicles and_namely, MOBIS Electronic Brake 2 and /ABS Truck (MEB2-AT). On the 26th, the company stated that County and Mighty would be the first models to be equipped with the new brake system.

Compared to passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles that are designed to carry heavy loads and/or masses of people have much higher risks associated with damages and fatalities in the event of accidents. Therefore, the performance of braking systems in commercial vehicles is considered key in that they could prevent accidents, impact steering stability and even reduce noise.

MEB2-AT is the product of two years of investments amounting to KRW 10 billion. The system is geared toward larger commercial vehicles, with a focus on maximizing vehicle stability in emergency braking situations and maintaining safe braking distance between vehicles.

Commercial vehicles equipped with MEB have, in fact, demonstrated higher performance in braking stability and braking distance compared to the existing braking systems. The market also appreciates that MEB is far quieter when the system is running than products supplied by the competition.

Most notably, MEB2-AT is the lightest among all available braking systems for commercial vehicles. The weight has been reduced to 2.2 kg, which is a mere one-fifth of the existing braking systems imported from overseas. Such reduction in weight helps to enhance fuel economy and keeps Hyundai Mobis in line with the global trend toward developing eco-friendly auto parts.

By replacing imported braking systems with MEB2-AT, which will be produced in Wuxi Mobis in China, Hyundai Mobis will be able to shave 50% of costs per unit. Hyundai Mobis official says that the import substitution effect will amount to over KRW 100 billion over the next five years.

Lee Seung-ho (43), Head of the Electronic Brake Design Team, who was responsible for the development of MEB2-AT, stated, “With commercial vehicles that are loaded with a large number of passengers and heavy cargo, the key competitiveness lies in a light weight braking system that ensures safety and fuel efficiency,” and further added, “MEB2-AT is far superior to its competition in terms of quality and price competitiveness. Therefore, Hyundai Mobis expects increases in orders from foreign automakers and believes that the new brake system will help to strengthen the competitiveness of commercial vehicles produced by Hyundai and Kia.”

The nation’s first development of the MEB for commercial vehicles follows on the heels of the development and mass production of the MEB for passenger cars earlier this year. The synergy that such technologies create with the future businesses of hybrid vehicles and auto electronics is likely to fast forward Hyundai Mobis’ development of the “Integrated Vehicle Control System.”

The Integrated Vehicle Control System is a combination of the “Unified Chassis Control System” and the “Active Safety System.” The former integrates and controls individual systems such as braking, steering, and suspension, and ultimately ensures optimal running safety, while the latter utilizes the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to maintain a certain safe distance with the vehicle ahead to prevent collisions.