Following the successful conclusion of regulatory reviews, Wabco has completed the acquisition of RH Sheppard, a supplier of steering technologies for commercial vehicles. Sheppard will be fully integrated into Wabco’s North America business unit, with its technology becoming part of Wabco’s vehicle dynamics and controls business.
“As we grow together and combine Wabco’s and Sheppard’s industry-leading technologies, we will provide differentiating solutions for braking, stability and steering control to commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators across the globe,” said Jon Morrison, Wabco president, Americas.
Jorge Solis, Wabco’s president of the truck, bus and car OEM division, which includes Wabco’s vehicle dynamics and controls business unit added, “The powerful combination of our breakthrough technologies, including active steering, active braking, electronic stability control and other advanced driver-assistance systems, is a key milestone in our strategy to enable the commercial vehicle industry’s vision of autonomous driving worldwide.”
Full dynamic control of commercial vehicles – lateral and longitudinal – is necessary to progressively achieve the industry’s vision of autonomous driving. According to Wabco, the acquisition of Sheppard is a key step toward providing lateral control through active steering, which complements Wabco’s ability to control longitudinal movement through active braking, stability and suspension control systems.
In another recent development, Wabco has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in intuitive motion control. The two companies will collaborate to develop and supply active steering systems for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles using Nexteer’s MagnaSteer actuation technology for advanced steering assistance. Both companies will integrate MagnaSteer’s technology with Sheppard’s power steering gears.
