GKN Automotive

Due to differing expectations around #development speed, cost, #innovation and more, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to supporting customers in different regions of the world. At GKN Automotive, this is reflected in our tailored methodologies such as our long held “in China, for China”, “in Europe, for Europe” and “collaborate to compete” strategies which have helped establish us as a trusted partner for 90% of global OEMs. The importance of such an approach was reinforced at the Europe-China New Energy Vehicle Technology Conference, which took place in Munich yesterday. Bringing together key decision makers from new #energy powertrain innovation technologies across China and Europe, the event was attended by GKN Automotive’s Dawei Wang, Chief Engineer Customer Engineering China; and Fei SONG, Chinese OEM Account Director.

Earlier this week, several senior GKN Automotive representatives had the opportunity to attend the IAA MOBILITY 2025 in Munich, Germany – the key industry gathering for the #mobility sector, and a leading platform for #sustainability and technological #innovation. This included Dawei Wang, Chief Engineer Customer Engineering China; Fei SONG, Chinese OEM Account Director; and Thomas Pattis, Market & Competitor Analysis Manager who met with customers and industry peers. As we continue to shape the industry’s agenda as the global leader in drive systems, we’re proud to be at the forefront of #automotive innovation, supplying over 90% of global OEMs. Thank you to all those who represented GKN Automotive in Munich this week! #IAA2025

Earlier this week, our Director of Sustainability, Tom Salisbury, was invited to speak at Sustainability LIVE London’s 'CSO Strategy Summit' panel discussion. The panel discussed how to connect sustainability goals with the wider business agenda, especially when balancing short term business needs with long term sustainability commitments. Key themes included the need to collaborate and partner with different functions across the business, strategies to build credible communications which avoid greenwashing, and the requirement of sustainability leads to translate external factors, such as regulation, in meaningful ways which inform business strategy. As the global leader in drive systems, we established our sustainability framework in 2021 and recently published our third sustainability report, which announced a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions. Events like these are a great opportunity to share our insights alongside a fantastic line-up of industry peers, as we continue to shape the automotive industry’s sustainability agenda as a leading tier one supplier. Thanks to Sustainability LIVE and everyone who came along! #SUSLIVELondon

Yesterday, GKN Automotive India, hosted a Technology Showcase for M&M at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) Chennai. As a key supplier of drive systems and components to the India-based manufacturer, the event was an opportunity to showcase our diversified product portfolio and world-leading technical capabilities, with our products on display including: our electronic torque manager (ETM), a selection of our limited slip differential technologies, and a range of our next-generation sideshaft solutions.  The event was attended by a number of senior GKN Automotive leaders, including Anthony Bell, Vice President, Operations Asia; Nicolas Chailloux, Vice President, Commercial India Sales; and Madhusudhan Kp, Director Commercial India, among others. These events are always a fantastic opportunity to connect with our customers and showcase our leading product portfolio and engineering expertise. Thank you to all who made the day a success!

With best-in-class performance, our DO3 ball plunge joint now offers improved #efficiency, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) #performance, and packaging – all without any reduction in strength and #durability.    Thanks to careful improvements, it is designed to meet the high-torque needs and increased angle demands of the latest front-wheel drive applications.

As an organisation, we are committed to creating clear pathways for individuals eager to enter the automotive industry, while empowering them to shape the trajectory of their own careers. Our Women in Movement initiative embodies this commitment by supporting women entering the sector with targeted training in essential technical skills, equipping participants for success in future roles. Read more about Fernanda’s experience as a participant in our Women in Movement below.

We’re proud to share that our team in Oragadam, India, has been awarded “Best Skill Development Initiative of the Year” at the UBS Forums Pvt. Ltd. CSR Awards 2025! This recognition celebrates the impact of our Future Talent Programme, launched to provide young people in our local communities with access to all the #STEM facilities, training and resources needed to reach their full potential. Since the programme started in Oragadam in 2024, we’ve built three STEM Labs in local government schools, delivered hands-on STEM activities to children in the region and provided expert support and tutelage to teachers alongside the SRF Foundation. This award is a testament to the passion and dedication of our teams in creating meaningful change in our communities as we endeavor to develop the next generation of engineers. Congratulations to Anusha K, our STEM Programme Manager and Vinod Appu Nirmal, Oragadam Facility Plant Director, as well as the wider team in India for the work on this important initiative!

Our forging plant in Germany recently celebrated 60 years of operation - a milestone marked with a celebratory event attended by over 1,000 guests, including alumni, partners, families, and local dignitaries such as the Mayor of Trier and Chamber of Commerce representatives. Highlights included an exhibition covering the 60-year history of the site, family-friendly tours, interactive children’s activities, and open forging demonstrations. This anniversary was not only a celebration of our team’s achievements but also a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s contributed to Trier’s success over the decades. Hannes Hellweger, VP Operations Europe, commented, "Our site in Trier is much more than a production site: it is a European centre of excellence for precision forming which has been setting standards in innovation and manufacturing for decades. The commitment and expertise of our employees make Trier an important part of our global footprint.” Congratulations to the entire Trier team!

Road transport is responsible for more than 15% of global energy-related emissions, making the transition towards #NetZero mobility critical for global emissions reduction targets. That’s why we’ve spent the last two decades delivering products that contribute to the #decarbonisation of the #automotive sector, with a focus on lightweighting and improving products’ #efficiency to enable significant reductions in energy consumption and material usage. Swipe below to find out more...

Our site in Trier, Germany, is marking 60 years of operation - a significant achievement that reflects the long-standing success of the site and the hard work of its employees, past and present. The site employs 400 team members and produces over 60 million precision-formed driveshaft components annually, used in vehicles around the world. To mark the anniversary, the plant will host an open day for colleagues and their families, with guided facility tours and a range of activities suitable for all. Hannes Hellweger, Vice President Operations Europe, and Wolfram Leibe, Mayor of the City of Trier, will be in attendance along with other guests of honour. Congratulations to the entire team for their contribution to these successes.