Three FORVIA Technologies Awarded for Innovation by European Supplier Association CLEPA in 2023

Nantere / Lippstadt, 19 October 2023. FORVIA, the world’s 7th-largest automotive technology supplier, received 3 accolades at the CLEPA Innovation Awards 2023. The European Association of Automotive Suppliers, CLEPA, has recognized FORVIA for its outstanding contributions to shaping the future of mobility.

In the eighth edition of the international competition, with a focus on Digital and Green innovations, 3 technologies from different FORVIA Business Groups received an award from CLEPA:

Automatic Diagnostics: a world’s-first strongly increasing vehicle repair efficiency

HELLA Gutmann Solutions, a subsidiary of the FORVIA Group specializing in sophisticated vehicle diagnostics workshop equipment and services, has succeeded in automating one of the most common activities in automotive workshops, fault diagnostic, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data technology. This automation of fault diagnostics is world’s-first which can noticeably increase the overall efficiency of vehicle repairs.

The Automatic Diagnostics function covers 17 languages and is available at no additional cost to all workshops across 24 countries using a current diagnostic device from HELLA Gutmann Solutions. As part of the automatic function, the vehicle identification number (VIN) is automatically determined, stored fault codes are read out and their relevance evaluated, actual and target values in the system parameters are compared, and around two billion data records of historically performed diagnostic cases are consulted. This process chain runs automatically in less than five minutes and ends with the cause of the fault being narrowed down to a specific component.

NAFILean-R: more recycled content in sustainable materials

Reducing the carbon footprint of the automotive industry requires an increased use of sustainable materials, renewable and bio-based materials. In 2022, FORVIA became a forerunner in terms of decarbonization by having its net-zero roadmap approved by SBTi. Under this roadmap, FORVIA commits to reach net-zero CO2 emissions across the value chain (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 2045, with two intermediate steps: net-zero emissions on scopes 1 and 2 by 2025 and reduction of scopes 3 emissions by 45% by 2030. To serve its net-zero ambition, FORVIA has developed over the past decade an evolving range of biocomposite materials used for instrument panels, center consoles and door panels: NAFILean. Made from natural fibers, such as hemp, and polypropylene, it features a remarkable 20% bio content and is 100% recyclable.

This unique material, designed for technical plastic parts, offers excellent stiffness, crash performance, and resistance to aging. The choice of hemp fibers, known for their environmental credentials, underlines FORVIA's commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of the automotive industry. The latest addition to the NAFILean family, NAFILean-R, combines a 20% natural hemp fibers content with a low-CO2 polypropylene matrix that is 40% recycled. The result is a material that not only reduces weight but also minimizes CO2 emissions by up to 87% compared to industry benchmarks. NAFILean-R is powered and brought to the market by MATERI’ACT, a subsidiary of the FORVIA group specializing in sustainable materials.

The NAFILean product family has already been chosen by major OEMs such as Renault, Stellantis and Nissan.

XL Tank: game-changing solution to address the needs of Heavy-Duty hydrogen mobility

The XL Tank can store over 20kg of gaseous hydrogen under 700bars pressure. This tank unlocks a world of possibilities for heavy duty zero emission vehicles:

• reach 1000+ km autonomy
• recharge from 0% to 100% autonomy in less than 15 minutes, by refueling in an H2 station

The XL Tank’s design allows for easy vehicle integration, making it a valuable solution for installing on new chassis or retrofitting existing vehicle fleets to zero emission.

Several customers, including e-Neo, have already put their trust in the XL-Tank. Product deliveries will start from 2024.

“These awards reflect FORVIA’s relentless commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry, whether through groundbreaking technologies for zero emission mobility and services as well as sustainable materials, at the service of our customers and end-users. This recognition fuels our determination to continue leading the way on a safer and more sustainable mobility,” said Christophe Aufrère, Chief Technical Officer at FORVIA.