Eaton inks framework pact for strategic partnership with China’s Great Wall Motors

Power management company Eaton has signed a framework agreement with Great Wall Motors Co. Ltd. (GWM) to create a long-term strategic partnership that drives growth for both companies through greater technical exchange and resource sharing. The agreement was signed during an Eaton Tech Day held at GWM’s Baoding facility in China’s Hebei province earlier this month. 

“Great Wall Motors is one of our key strategic partners in China’s vehicle market,” said Curt Hutchins, president, Eaton Asia Pacific. “The new framework agreement reflects our confidence in and commitment to China’s growing transportation market. We will continue to work closely with Great Wall to provide safe and reliable solutions that improve vehicle performance and reduce energy consumption.”

At the Tech Day event, Eaton showcased customized products for GWM vehicles, as well as innovative solutions for electrical safety, “green” switches and lean assembly lines. Among the vehicle technologies displayed were limited-slip differentials, advanced fuel evaporation control systems, superchargers and variable valve lift technologies. Eaton experts also detailed recent achievements for electric and hybrid-electric cars, hydraulic tappets, cylinder deactivation technologies and engine brakes.

“The recent Tech Day allowed us to enhance our relationship with Great Wall and share ideas to improve automobile performance, safety and fuel economy as well as advanced technologies for the hydraulic and electrical industries,” Hutchins said. “This builds on our successful cooperation that covers a range of chassis and engine components.”

Eaton has been a supplier to Great Wall since 2004, providing locking differentials, fuel vapour valves, engine valves and valve actuation components. Eaton’s MLocker mechanical locking differential is installed in GWM’s first premium pickup truck – the new Wingle 6 – and the EGerodisc electronic differential will be offered on Great Wall sport-utility vehicles for the 2015 model year. Eaton differentials provide increased safety when traveling on demanding road conditions with reduced traction. During testing, Eaton’s MLocker helped the Wingle 6 successfully complete cross axis and ladder road tests and demonstrated strong stability and performance in wading roads, side hills, camelback roads, pits and crater roads.

China is the world’s largest market for passenger and commercial vehicles. Sales of passenger cars and trucks in China topped 21 million vehicles in 2013 and are projected to surpass 30 million units annually in the next four years. In addition to Great Wall Motors, Eaton supplies several other leading automotive and truck manufacturers in China. Earlier this year Eaton received ‘Best supplier’ awards from Chery, Dongfeng Cummins Engine Co. and Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co.

Eaton’s Vehicle Group is a global leader in truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. To meet growing customer demand for its valve and valvetrain products in China, Eaton recently doubled the manufacturing capacity of its Jining facility and, earlier this month, opened an Asia Pacific Vehicle Technical Center in Shanghai. The Tech Center strengthens Eaton’s local testing and development resources, and enhances its ability to work with customers to develop new engine platforms and other efficient solutions.

Image: Exploded view of the MLocker.