Commercial vehicle technologies supplier, Wabco Holdings, has reported that several major Chinese heavy duty truck manufacturers – including China National Heavy Truck Corporation (CNHTC), Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Company (DFLQ) and Shaanqi – are continuing to increase adoption of the company’s OptiRide electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS) in series production. Wabco claims that OptiRide technology improves fuel economy by up to 3% while improving ride performance.
In 2014, Wabco became the first supplier of ECAS systems for truck and bus manufacturers in China, the world’s largest commercial vehicle market, and it claims to be the sole supplier of the technology in the Chinese market today.
Featuring intelligent lift-axle control and load monitoring, OptiRide detects axle overload and provides automatic load transfer to improve traction performance, which also helps reduce vehicle wear-and-tear and other operational costs. Unlike steel-spring suspension, the technology also enables vehicle lifting and lowering functions, for more efficient cargo handling and time savings in operations. The ride quality benefits are claimed to deliver better load protection and more stable truck operation, which increase vehicle and road safety.
“Leading Chinese truck makers are increasingly upgrading their vehicle platforms and axle configurations to be more competitive for long-haul transport and logistics operations,” said Sujie Yu, vice president, Asia Pacific at Wabco. “OptiRide further differentiates by improving vehicle efficiency and safety and by enhancing driver comfort.”
