Webasto shows innovative solutions for future mobility at Auto Shanghai

As a global Top 100 automotive supplier and market leader for roof and heating systems, Webasto presents its innovative solutions for the best automotive comfort, efficiency and mobility of the future at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show (hall 2.2, booth 6BE101). Under the theme of “Open Up New Perspectives”, Webasto will be exhibiting a series of large-sized panorama roof systems and folding roofs. The company is attracting particular attention this year, with its concept vehicle as a future vision of the mobility of tomorrow. The concept car brings together numerous technical solutions for autonomous driving including: electrification and comfort, which include roof sensor module, a large openable panorama roof, smart front-end module, battery pack, charging solutions, and integrated thermal management systems. The concept car therefore, embodies the continuous innovation of Webasto and its cutting-edge system capabilities for the new era of mobility and the challenges of autonomous driving.

“We consistently pursue our dual strategy of strengthening our core business areas and participating in new business fields to embrace the mobility trends and changes. We are committed to working with partners to continuously create value for future mobility", Webasto China President Jan Henning Mehlfeldt says, "Our company has not only successfully expanded the roof system business in China, but also intensified its Research & Development activities and successfully started the production of the electro mobility portfolio. These achievements will further help us to provide Chinese customers with more comprehensive, locally produced product solutions to satisfy and exceed their needs."

Intelligent Solutions for the Mobility of the Future

For the first time Webasto presents the autonomous driving Roof Sensor Module and smart lightweight front-end module at Shanghai Auto Show. The integrated oof sensor also showcases a working lidar and working camera.

As a global market leader in car roof systems, Webasto has the expertise to integrate environmental sensors such as lidars, cameras, radars, antennas and autonomous driving status indicators discreetly, into the roof. To ensure sensor functionality in all automotive conditions, Webasto offers smart thermo management and cleaning systems.

For the Roof Sensor Module, Webasto uses state-of-the-art 3D formable materials such as polycarbonate. This enables seamless integration of the components into the roof system and has a positive effect on aerodynamics and the vehicle architecture.

Comfort and Individual Innovations for the Roof System

The individual comfort and driving experience for driver and passengers becomes more and more important. Webasto has the most comprehensive product portfolio, and provides various technologies for personalization, exclusive design and a special driving experience with its innovative panoramic roof and convertible roof systems.

Innovative folding roof systems create a convertible feeling in only a few seconds, and bring the maximum amount of openness and light. The textile roof is extremely weatherproof and resistant, and provides excellent noise insulation. In addition, the roof is made of superior composite fabric material with optional colors, which enables personalized customization.

The brand new large-size panoramic solar (photovoltaic) roof of Webasto generates electricity out of the sun by integrated high efficiency crystalline solar cells. Meanwhile, the energy provided by the solar roof can power the high-pressure heater module and preheat the battery pack of the electric vehicle, thereby effectively improving the power output efficiency at low temperatures. With the harvested solar energy, it is possible to increase the driving range up to 2,000 km per year. During parking in the summer heat, solar modules can also drive the blower to start ventilation in the car, effectively reducing the temperature in the car and improving driving comfort. Glass panels with stepless automatic dimming, can help with the adjustment of the transmittance to give both comfort and privacy for the passengers inside.

Highly Efficient Solutions for E-Mobility

Webasto in China has developed a new generation of battery packs for hybrid vehicles in cooperation with domestic automotive manufacturers. The battery pack can be adapted to different vehicle models and different car body installation position requirements, which are not only using a new generation of high-power batteries, but also, a new generation of lightweight and highly integrated battery tray design. It also incorporates an optimized liquid cooling system. Integrated large modules increase combinations and have cost advantages, too. The battery pack combines the core technological advancement of classical BEV batteries with the unique requirements of power-based applications, making the new generation of HEV battery packs even more competitive.

Webasto is also exhibiting the AC wallbox, which is especially developed for the Chinese market and is based on a global platform. The product is safe and reliable with high protection and can even be used in high-altitude areas of up to 4,000 metres.
The Cordset offers convenient charging on the go. This ideal, portable solution for plug-in hybrids and EVs offers charging power of up to 7,7kW. The charging solutions provided by Webasto include a low-power DC charging solution, which provides intelligent network connection functions, thus enabling the vehicle to be remotely controlled and charged through smartphone applications.

With its integrated heating solutions Webasto has created unique thermal management systems. The company has developed and manufactured these systems for the automotive industry for more than 80 years, always setting benchmarks for the development of heater technology. The High-Voltage Heater (HVH) from Webasto is a heating system for electric and hybrid vehicles. During the journey the HVH creates pleasant temperatures inside the vehicle and simultaneously takes care of the essential thermo management of the powertrain battery. At up to 870 Volts direct current, the patented heating layer technology has an efficiency rating of over 95 percent. A further key benefit of the high-voltage heater lies in its stabilizing effect on the vehicle electrical system and its ability to harness recuperation energy.

Industry Leading Heating and Thermal Solutions for a variety of vehicles

Webasto will also be demonstrating the commercial vehicle battery thermal management system and traditional heating system products at the show. Webasto eBTM is an independent battery thermal management system and a plug-&-play solution for flexible and easy mounting. More than 6 battery packs can be conditioned. As the battery core temperature is always in the ideal range, function and performance of the power of the battery pack are kept in the optimal state for a long time. Battery energy is therefore saved.

Webasto heating products include water heater Thermo Top Evo.
In addition to heating the driver's cab, these water heaters also heat the vehicle's own coolant circuit, thereby pre-heating the engine before starting the journey. This not only provides efficient and stable heating capacity, but also reduces fuel consumption and emissions in operation. With a flexible and convenient thermal management system suitable for a variety of vehicles, Webasto is always at the forefront of industry.

Webasto Extents Its Strong Footprint and Market Position in China

2021 is the 120th anniversary of the Webasto Group, and also the 20th anniversary of Webasto's OE business in China. As a leader in automotive roof and heating systems, Webasto promotes the development of a global automotive roof and heating solutions with its unique technology knowledge and heritage. Since entering the Chinese market in 2001, Webasto has quickly become the leader in the Chinese automotive roof market and extended its footprint from Shanghai to 11 locations across the country. The company has achieved a leap in annual sales from RMB 20 million yuan to 10 billion yuan. Webasto has managed to win a broad customer base and has established trustworthy relationships with major partners in the automotive industry and local governments.

Besides its core business, Webasto also sees good business opportunities for future growth in the electric vehicle market in China with its new and advanced portfolio of solutions for electrified vehicles. The Wuhan plant completed in 2019 is also the Asia-Pacific manufacturing base for High-Voltage Heaters and wallboxes. In order to better meet the trends and needs of Chinese customers, the company established a regional R&D center in Shanghai in 2004. A brand new plant and a battery systems development center was also opened in Jiaxing in 2019, that can provide comprehensive localized roof and battery pack projects as well as research and development services.