How ZF is Scaling India’s Digital Aftermarket

ZF Group, the world’s second-largest aftermarket provider, is now betting that India’s transition from breakdown maintenance to preventive maintenance will fuel its next decade of growth. With European markets seeing stagnant economic growth, ZF is accelerating  its Indian strategy toward a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to ensure mobility Uptime.

The focal point of ZF’s strategy is a move away from being a mere component supplier to becoming a platform provider. "India is going through a massive change," says Akash Passey, President of ZF Group India. "The workshop used to be the road itself... now there's a rapid change because technology has changed so you don't need to open the vehicle so much"

The company is addressing this technological complexity through its pro diagnostics ecosystem. At the center is MultiScan, a multi-brand diagnostic tool that allows workshops to interface with tens of thousands of vehicle models. By supporting advanced protocols like Diagnostics over Internet Protocol (DoIP) and CAN FD, ZF is giving local mechanics the same software-driven capabilities once reserved for high-end factory dealerships.

While ZF has a deep legacy as an Original Equipment (OE) supplier—providing parts directly to vehicle manufacturers, its growth strategy in India now targets the independent aftermarket. "Growth is not coming from Europe," notes Andre Scholle, Head of ZF Aftermarket Region India, Middle East, Africa, CIS. "The growth is mainly coming from growth markets like India... we need to widen the offer beyond OE in order to serve the local car parc"

This brand agnostic approach allows ZF to service vehicles for which it was not the original supplier. By leveraging its basket of brands, including SACHS, TRW, and others, the company is introducing localized products tailored to Indian conditions, such as the TRW DTEC ceramic brake pads and heavy-duty SACHS clutches for commercial vehicles.

ZF is a leading supplier of advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology.  Alongside the automotive sector, passenger cars and commercial vehicles,  ZF also serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine propulsion, rail drives and test systems. With some 161,600 employees worldwide, ZF reported sales of €41.4 billion in fiscal 2024.

The Logistics and AI Frontier:
In a vast geography where availability is the primary deterrent to counterfeit parts, ZF is refining its operational model. The company is implementing a milkflow logistics model to ensure genuine parts reach even Tier-4 or Tier-5 geographies within two days. "Our focus is clear to support India’s rapidly evolving mobility landscape with solutions that enhance safety, sustainability, and long-term reliability," says Scholle.

Beyond hardware, ZF is integrating AI into fleet management. The SCALAR platform provides AI-driven video telematics, offering 360-degree visibility for commercial fleets, while India’s first AIS 113-compliant connected trailer solution enhances safety in the logistics sector.

Abhishek Verma, Head of ZF Aftermarket in India added, “Our focus is on building a truly integrated ecosystem — one that connects diagnostics, digital platforms, and a growing localized product portfolio into a seamless experience for workshops, fleets, and distributors. We are ensuring that our partners have the right tools, technologies, and components tailored to the realities of India.”

Way forward:
For ZF, the Indian aftermarket is no longer a secondary concern but a primary growth engine where intelligent pricing meets high-end technology. By integrating diagnostics, AI safety, and a localized parts portfolio, ZF claims to be  architecting the infrastructure required to keep India’s burgeoning fleet on the move.