HBPO's Front-End Module Focuses On Innovation And Cost Savings

TROY, Mich., Sept. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HBPO, the auto industry's leading supplier of modular front-end systems, is showcasing front-end modules focused on innovation and cost savings at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The company, which is exhibiting with MAHLE in Hall 8, Booth C40, has taken a different approach for the 2017 Frankfurt show (Sept. 14-24). Gone are full front-end modules completely dressed with headlamps, bumper covers and other finished design elements. This year's display features stripped-down "technical" modules.

"Our exhibit is designed to demonstrate through product features how innovation and research can benefit our customers in areas such as lightweighting, component integration, aerodynamics and CO₂ reduction," said Martin Brüne, director of Business Development for HBPO GmbH. "Our approach to front-end module development strives to help our customers reduce vehicle weight, while significantly reducing part count, complexity and costs."

Brüne noted that, despite the automotive industry's more than 100-year history, technology innovation from companies such as HBPO still can produce significant improvements. In the area of aerodynamics and CO₂ reduction, for example, HBPO is showing three different active grille shutters to demonstrate how tailor-made solutions can improve a vehicle's drag coefficient with a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.

Parts consolidation through function integration also can reduce module complexity, which improves quality. "By using intelligent design to integrate several functions into one component element, we can gain significant advantages in terms of adding functionality, while saving weight and cost," Brüne added.

About HBPO GmbH:

HBPO GmbH, Lippstadt: HBPO is the only company in the world that specializes in the design, development, assembly and logistics for complex front-end modules.  A global market leader for front-end modules, the company reported sales in 2016 of 1.8 billion euros. HBPO has more than 2,000 employees worldwide annually producing more than 5.3 million front-end modules per year at 25 JIS (just-in-sequence) manufacturing facilities and eight development sites in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Founded as partnership between HELLA and Behr in 1999, the company's name changed to HBPO when Plastic Omnium joined the partnership in 2004. The company also has joint venture programs in Korea and Malaysia.

HBPO's global customer portfolio of automotive brands includes Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat,  Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes, Mini, Nissan, Porsche, Proton, Renault, SEAT, Skoda, SsangYong and Volkswagen. Additional information is available online at www.hbpogroup.com.

SOURCE HBPO

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