»Automobil Industrie« China

Suzhou, Jiang | Nov 5, 2026 | As electrification, intelligent mobility, connectivity, and sustainability continue to advance across the automotive industry, regulations are tightening and competition is intensifying. At the same time, the products and technology pathways shaping future mobility are evolving rapidly. Against this backdrop, Schaeffler’s flagship automotive technology event, the Schaeffler Automotive Symposium, is held in Suzhou from November 4 to 6. More than 800 customers from the automotive industry gather together to experience Schaeffler’s extensive innovations and technology applications in motion technology. More than 30 lectures, over 500 products, and more than 10 test-drive vehicles showcase Schaeffler’s technical expertise and innovative strength across three sectors: passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two-wheeler and powersports.

“Amid the opportunities and challenges brought about by rapid changes in the automotive industry, close dialogs and collaboration across the supply chain are essential to jointly explore the future of mobility. That’s why it is the perfect timing for us to host this Schaeffler Automotive Symposium. We want to use this opportunity to share our technological achievements with our customers, strengthen our partnerships, address industry challenges together, and advance the development of future mobility,” says Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis at Schaeffler AG. “We will present the expanded competencies and product portfolio resulting from our successful integration of Vitesco Technologies for the first time ever at this important customer event in China.” 

Beyond Driving: Four technology clusters

The mobility of the future is no longer being shaped solely on the roads, but in interconnected, software-driven systems. Electrification, smart mobility, automation, and software-defined solutions are creating new opportunities to drive innovation and transform the industry. This year’s symposium focuses on four technology clusters—Vehicle Control, Chassis & Body, Powertrain, and Energy Management—showcasing Schaeffler’s comprehensive systems expertise and high degree of vertical integration. “In future mobility, performance no longer comes from individual components alone. It comes from how systems interact — safely, intelligently, and efficiently. With our broad portfolio, our strong presence in the region, we consistently turn complex systems expertise into solutions tailored to the local market and customer needs,” says Thomas Stierle, CEO E-Mobility at Schaeffler AG. “Our role is not only to support change, but to help shape it, with technologies that improve efficiency, enable electrification, and create added value for our customers.”

With the Vehicle Control cluster, Schaeffler demonstrates its expertise in vehicle-wide systems and functions, including the required safety levels. The focus is on vehicle level development: instead of viewing functions as individual components, they are considered as part of an interconnected overall system. This approach is key to high-performance software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Schaeffler offers a broad portfolio for SDV architectures, including sensors and actuators, low and high-voltage vehicle electrical systems, drive systems, edge ECUs, complex zone control units (ZCUs), and high-performance computer (HPC). A particular focus lies on the development of innovative E/E system architectures that reduce the number of control units, enable hardware migration across vehicle generations, and significantly shorten development times.

Modern vehicle architectures are becoming more complex because of electrification, automation, and software. That is why chassis and body technologies are increasingly important enablers of the mobility transition. The Chassis & Body cluster focuses solutions that improve comfort, convenience, safety, and vehicle dynamics. In the chassis domain, Schaeffler presents rear-wheel steering, steer-by-wire solutions, semi-active and active damping technologies, and low-friction wheel bearings. One highlight for the vehicle body area is the demonstration of hands-free vehicle access technologies, offering seamless and automated entry solutions that combine convenience with cutting-edge security features.

Schaeffler offers solutions across the full range of electrified powertrain technologies — from BEV through HEV and PHEV to REEV. In hybrid technologies, the portfolio includes P1 generator modules, P1.5 generator/drive units, and P1+P3 dedicated hybrid transmission. The company is consistently driving forward the development of highly integrated e-drive systems. The focus is on co-axial e-axles, electric drive units, transmission components, bearing solutions as well as power electronics and software solutions, which are combined into powerful overall systems.

In electrified vehicles, energy is not lost, it is converted and redistributed across multiple subsystems. Efficient energy management is therefore essential for driving, charging, battery conditioning, cabin thermal control, and more. Schaeffler provides integrated systems that enable energy to be converted and distributed among different systems. In the Energy Management cluster, Schaeffler presents solutions to create tangible benefits for its customers in costs, efficiency, range, performance, and safety. Highlight exhibits include thermal management systems with alternative refrigerant and power conversion units.

Beyond Automotive

Schaeffler is expanding into high growth fields and reinforcing its position as a leading Motion Technology Company. At this symposium, in the “Beyond Automotive” cluster, Schaeffler showcases its technological innovations and product applications in fields such as humanoid robotics and low-altitude economy. In humanoids, Schaeffler focuses on key subsystems and components, humanoid training and data service as well as industrialization in production. In low-altitude economy, Schaeffler supports the electrification of aviation through high-performance aerospace innovations for eVTOL and eCTOL. Together, these technologies demonstrate Schaeffler’s ability to expand its expertise in motion to new areas by relying on decades of engineering expertise, manufacturing excellence and high vertical integration in the value chain. “China is one of the most important strategic markets for Schaeffler and also a key market for shaping the future of motion. We are firmly committed to China, and continuously strengthening our local R&D, manufacturing and service capabilities to better support our customers. At the same time, building on Schaeffler’s extensive expertise in motion technologies, we are continuing to expand into emerging fields, creating greater value for the Chinese market and the transformation of the industries,” says Dr. Zhang Yilin, CEO of Schaeffler Greater China.

Customer focus: Jointly shaping the future of motion

From what started as a customer gathering in Bühl, Germany, in 1970s, the Schaeffler Automotive Symposium today is already the biggest automotive customer event within the Schaeffler Group. The success of the Automotive Symposium is one of the best proofs of Schaeffler’s continuous commitment to innovation and customer focus. These principles have also shaped Schaeffler’s development in China over the past three decades. They are not only a key foundation of the company’s success, but will continue to drive future growth.

“As a motion technology company, Schaeffler offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and system solutions, consistently translating our extensive technological expertise into innovative solutions that meet customers’ needs,” says Dr. Chen Xiangbin, Head of E-Mobility in Schaeffler Greater China. “Amid a constantly evolving market and ongoing technological challenges, we will remain firmly focused on motion technologies, champion innovation and ecosystem-wide collaboration, and work hand in hand with our customers and partners to embrace the transformation of the industry.”