Total global production volume of electric power steering tops 100 million units
On April 1st, 2015, the total number of electric power steering (EPS) units manufactured by JTEKT in countries throughout the world surpassed 100 million*1.
Since its invention in 1988, EPS has been chosen extensively by automakers across the globe. With its contributions to the creation of safe, comfortable and environmentally friendly automobiles, EPS has become a common technology that is indispensable to today’s drivers.
1. Pioneer of EPS, No.1 world record
At the time when EPS was first created, the predominant type of power
steering was the hydraulic system, which uses the engine as the main power
source. Using the demand for power steering on light automobiles as an in
1988 JTEKT succeeded in developing and mass producing the world’s first
opportunity, EPS system, which was installed in the Suzuki Cervo. Since then,
JTEKT has continued as the leader of EPS, currently holding over 30%*2 of the
global EPS share as the No.1 producer of EPS systems within the market.
EPS systems made by JTEKT are employed by over 15 different automakers in
countries throughout the world. To meet the demands of each company, JTEKT
has established 14 EPS manufacturing bases in 10 countries, and as of
April 2015 has achieved over 100 million units in total global production
volume, thanks to our many customers.
2. EPS environmental performance contributes to over 800 thousand
ton reduction in C02
Compared with hydraulic power steering, EPS systems contribute to lower fuel
consumption as they place no load on the engine. From its first development up
until the 90’s, EPS was adopted mainly in light automobiles; however, with the
rise of environmental orientation within the 2000 era, EPS utilization expanded
to include large-size automobiles which had until then relied on hydraulic
systems. Nowadays, EPS systems have become essential for hybrid cars and
electric and fuel cell vehicles, which do not depend on the engine as the source
of power.
Based on their effect of low fuel consumption, the 100 million EPS systems
produced by JTEKT are estimated to have contributed to lowering Co2 emissions
by a total of 800 thousand tons*3 up until the present.
3. An Only One manufacturer with full variation
JTEKT is the only steering manufacturer in the world to develop and
manufacture a wide variety of product series, including EPS for both small
and large-size vehicles.
Large-size and luxury automobiles, which conventionally employed hydraulic
power steering systems, are also expected to transition to EPS as the demand
for higher environmental performance continues. To respond to these changes
in market needs, JTEKT is working to develop EPS systems for large-size
vehicles with higher output and better mounting ability, which are proposed
to customers throughout the world.
4. Support for high-level driving and response to needs of emerging
markets
JTEKT will continue to improve the quality of conventional products, and
promote development of new products while continuing to raise performance
and quality of manufacturing bases throughout the world. This will allow our
company to meet more sophisticated demands such as high-level driving
support,while continuing to respond to the expansion of the market, especially
in emerging countries. The JTEKT group steering business, which has remained
the No.1 & Only One existence since the beginning of its development, will
continue aiming to make the next leap forward.
*1: According to JTEKT research (excluding electric pump type hydraulic power
steering) (H-EPS))
*2: 2014 annual result. (According to JTEKT research)
*3: Estimated value based on to total production volume of EPS systems
(according to JTEKT research)
[Reference 1] History of JTEKT electric power steering systems (Outline)
1988 Start of world’s first development and mass production of C-EPS
1998 Start of mass production of P-EPS
1999 Production in Europe begins
2001 Production in North America begins
2003 Start of mass production of RD-EPS
2007 Production in China begins
2008 Production in ASEAN (Thailand) begins
2010 Production in India begins
2011 Start of production of DP-EPS
2014 Production in South America begins
2015 Production in Central America (Mexico) begins (scheduled)
2016 Start of mass production of RP-EPS (scheduled)
[Reference 2] EPS produced by JTEKT and suitable vehicle types
C-EPS: Column assist type
P-EPS: Pinion assist type
DP-EPS: Dual pinion assist type
RP-EPS: Rack parallel assist type
RD-EPS: Rack drive assist type