Shanghai (ZXZC)- On October 24, ZF LIFETEC celebrated the opening of its PhaseⅠAPAC headquarters in Jiading, Shanghai, while also announcing the commencement of its Phase II project, according to a post on ZF's WeChat account. This move underscores ZF LIFETEC's commitment to deepening its presence in the Asia-Pacific market, especially in China.

Ground-breaking ceremony for  ZF LIFETEC's APAC headquarters; photo credit: ZF

The newly opened building integrates key functions including R&D, sales, quality assurance, project management, procurement, and finance, allowing ZF LIFETEC to provide steering wheels, airbags, seat belts, and other passenger safety systems to customers across the APAC region and globally.

Previously known as the passive safety division under ZF, ZF LIFETEC was rebranded in March as a standalone entity with a focused mission to enhance vehicle occupant protection. The division's spin-off was completed by the end of September this year.

ZF LIFETEC's Executive Vice President Rudolf Stark addressed the importance of this transition at the opening ceremony, emphasizing the company's new path as an independent entity with streamlined decision-making, dedicated resources, and ambitious strategic goals.

Over the years, ZF LIFETEC has expanded its global footprint, establishing a presence in more than 20 markets worldwide and creating a robust localization strategy in the APAC region. It has so far built one global technology center and 11 production facilities globally. With the increasing demand for passive safety solutions in APAC and the expansion of ZF LIFETEC's business scope, the company announced in April 2024 its decision to locate its headquarters in Anting, Jiading district, Shanghai city, bringing R&D and operations under one roof. Phase Ⅰ of the headquarters was operational as of September 2, and construction on Phase II's laboratories is advancing, with state-of-the-art testing facilities like sled tracks, ignition labs, and electromechanical labs set to enhance ZF LIFETEC's APAC R&D and engineering capabilities once complete.