Annual Report 2010 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

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for example, procured another 180 units for retrofitting to
their existing vehicle fleet, while New York Transit Authority
ordered 332 oil-free units for their fleet of vehicles.
The push to expand high-speed rail services in North
America continued in 2010. Knorr-Bremse expects this to
have a positive impact on the company’s long-term prospects.
Commercial Vehicle Systems
For the first time since 2006, the decline in truck output in
North America was reversed in 2010. However, production
remained extremely low, 56% down on the record level of
2006. Compared to the prior year, output was up 23% at
approximately 218,000 units. This positive trend was
echoed in the aftermarket sector, where growth was
around 20% in the year under review.
In 2010, Knorr-Bremse was again able to win important
orders in North America. As a result, Bendix Spicer Foundation
Brake LLC expanded its position in the North American
drum brake market. The company’s drum brakes
were adopted as standard for the on-highway and vocational
commercial vehicles built by Mack Trucks. Bendix
has also experienced continued strong acceptance of its
air disc brake technology at OE and fleet customers, not
least in anticipation of the new Stopping Distance Regulation
in North America, where phase one launches in August
2011.
In addition, Bendix reinforced its collaboration with other
OEMs. As announced at the Mid-America Truck Show in
2010, the PACCAR company‘s Peterbilt Motors brand became
the first North American heavy truck manufacturer
to make air disc brakes standard equipment on its flagship
Model 587. Bendix safety technology products were also
featured during PACCAR‘s eight-month Peterbilt and Kenworth
tours and during the 2010 Volvo North American
Driving Success tour. In particular, Bendix was able to
showcase the superior performance of the Bendix AD-
B22X air disc brakes, Bendix ESP, and the Bendix Wingman
ACB – Active Cruise with Braking collision mitigation technology.
Bendix also reached two major production milestones in
2010: The company built its 750,000th BA-921 air compressor,
first introduced in 2002, and Bendix shipped its
100,000th ESP full stability system, first launched in late
2004.
South America
Rail Vehicle Systems
Production of freight cars in South America showed a
marked recovery in 2010 compared to the previous year,
climbing over 100% to 2,800 units. Procurement of freight
cars, however, remains at a relatively low level (2008: 5,000
freight cars procured).
The expansion of mass transit networks in major cities such
as São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro, by contrast,
led to a positive development in the rail-borne passenger
transportation sector in the year under review. In all, Knorr-
Bremse is to equip 450 cars with braking, HVAC, and door
systems by 2012.
Commercial Vehicle Systems
Following a 28% decline in output in 2009, truck production
rose 56% in 2010 to 184,000 units. This was even higher
than the record level of 163,000 vehicles built in 2008.
The main driver of this development was the Brazilian market.
As a result of the marked economic recovery across all
sectors – and in the construction, infrastructure, and commodities
industries in particular – combined with easier