Auto China 2026: ElringKlinger underscores its role as technology partner for New Energy Vehicles in Asia

• China as pivotal market for next-generation vehicle and drive technologies: ElringKlinger highlights R&D excellence and production-ready solutions for international OEMs, including leading Chinese manufacturers
• Comprehensive NEV-tech expertise: from cell contacting systems to structural lightweighting and high-performance plastics
• Key competence in local value creation and strength in innovation as the basis for sustainable growth in the Chinese and Asian markets

In China, the transformation of the global automotive industry is already well underway and is setting standards worldwide. The country has emerged as a key force behind next-generation vehicle segments and drive concepts, particularly in the field of New Energy Vehicles (NEV), thereby setting the pace in respect of development speed and market dynamics. Against this backdrop, ElringKlinger is presenting itself at this year's Auto China as a trusted technology and development partner, with a specific focus on the Chinese and Asian markets as well as on NEV applications of global relevance.

Asked to comment, Dirk Willers, Chief Sales Officer of ElringKlinger AG, emphasized, “We are systematically expanding our presence in both the Chinese market and the broader Asian region; not only through local production but above all through innovatory capabilities that are firmly enshrined within our on-site operations. China is a key driver of new technologies with global relevance. This is precisely the focus of our activities, pursued in partnership with our customers and aimed at actively shaping the future of mobility.”

At Auto China – under the heading “Pioneering Mobility. Shaping the Future.” – ElringKlinger will showcase its state-of-the-art drive concepts and sustainable mobility solutions, built on a pedigree of long-standing material and process expertise as well as know-how in sealing technology, structural lightweight design, and high-performance plastics.

Today, China represents far more than just a regional sales market for ElringKlinger. Within the NEV landscape in particular, the country functions as a key platform for the industrial implementation and global scaling of emerging vehicle segments and drive concepts. In consistently adopting a “local for local” approach, the Group is able to develop innovations on-site and transfer them efficiently to global vehicle programs. By embedding development, industrialization, and innovation responsibility at its sites in Changchun, Suzhou, Qingdao, and Tianjin, ElringKlinger brings together key next-generation technologies in China, thereby reinforcing its position as a technology partner for global platform and vehicle architectures.

Focus on NEV segment and OEMs with global production strategies
In the field of battery technology, ElringKlinger will present highly sophisticated cell contacting systems for NEV applications – drawing on more than a decade of series production experience. These scalable, customized solutions are manufactured in highly automated processes and are designed for both the Chinese market and global vehicle programs. As a key battery component, cell contacting systems play an important role in the performance, safety, and efficiency of modern electric drive systems. Series production for a high-volume international vehicle program commenced at one of the Group’s European sites in 2025, with production being gradually rolled out globally. At the same time, ElringKlinger is already working on the next generation of cell contacting systems, focusing on further performance enhancements, optimized thermal design, and new cell formats for future battery-electric vehicle generations.

In addition to battery technology, ElringKlinger offers intelligent lightweight solutions as a central component of efficient, high-performance NEV architectures. The portfolio includes customized components made of thermoplastics as well as hybrid components for the drivetrain, body, and underbody. A key differentiating factor lies in the close integration of precision stamping technology and structural lightweight construction.

In the field of structural lightweighting, ElringKlinger will present fully integrated cockpit cross-car beams that combine high rigidity with low weight. Bringing together high-pressure metal forming and plastic injection molding in a single production step, the unique technology applied to processes in this area delivers clear advantages with regard to installation space, weight, and cost. ElringKlinger will also showcase ElroForm TP-ECO, a high-performance solution for thermal insulation and enhanced safety in battery systems.

Thermal management seal (next generation): New sealing solution for greater efficiency
ElringKlinger will also unveil its next-generation thermal management seal at Auto China 2026, underscoring its expertise in future-oriented mobility solutions. Designed specifically for advanced thermal management systems, the sealing solution meets the more demanding requirements of current and future vehicle architectures, from electric vehicles and hybrid drives through to internal combustion engine vehicles.

The thermal management seal is engineered to ensure smooth and quiet operation of thermal management valves and contributes to precise temperature control in the vehicle. Its sophisticated design reduces mechanical loads within the system, thereby improving the efficiency, reliability, and service life of the entire thermal management unit. Manufactured from robust high-performance plastics, the sealing solution is designed for use under demanding and variable operating conditions. Among its key features are high resistance to media and temperature, a long service life, and flexible integration across multiple system concepts and temperature ranges.