This year, MAHLE Aftermarket looks back at 30 years of providing reliable A/C service equipment. This product group is continuously being expanded to meet every need.
At Automechanika Frankfurt 2018, MAHLE Aftermarket will introduce a new generation of A/C service units, which offers workshops connectivity with databases, cost-effective maintenance and straightforward updates.
Thirty years ago, it was a novelty to find air conditioning in a car. When MAHLE—then under the BEHR brand—presented the first A/C service unit to the public in 1988 as one of the pioneers in this sector, a new business segment for vehicle workshops was born.
“The first A/C service unit—used not only in workshops but also by automobile manufacturers—was a milestone for environmentally friendly recycling of refrigerants,” said Olaf Henning, corporate executive vice president and general manager of aftermarket at MAHLE. “Today, around 90 percent of vehicles in Germany are equipped with an HVAC system. A/C service has consequently become much more important. We have continuously developed and expanded our A/C service range and can thus offer workshops the right solution to meet every need, both now and in the future.”
Big challenges for the workshop
The requirements placed on A/C service units are also increasing, with three different refrigerants now used in vehicle HVAC systems: the newly introduced R1234yf and R744 (CO2) alongside the well-established R134a. This means that different A/C service units, tailored to the relevant refrigerant, are needed. Another challenge for workshops is that HVAC systems are becoming more and more compact. They contain less refrigerant while the level of complexity of the units keeps on increasing. This means that workshops need to offer a considerably higher degree of precision for the A/C service.
E3 for ecological, economical and efficient A/C service
The solution from MAHLE Aftermarket is the E³ technology found in ArcticPRO A/C service units. This allows workshops to carry out A/C services for passenger cars, hybrid vehicles, trucks and construction and agricultural machinery—ecologically, economically and efficiently. The A/C service range from MAHLE Service Solutions—the workshop equipment product group of MAHLE Aftermarket, currently comprises seven units in all.
New A/C service units at Automechanika
For some time, MAHLE Aftermarket has been working with BRAIN BEE, the Italian workshop equipment specialist, on developing and producing units for the European market. In May 2018, MAHLE acquired the majority share in BRAIN BEE—now a new brand for workshop equipment at MAHLE Aftermarket.
“To coincide with Automechanika in September 2018, we’ve got various innovations in A/C service lined up, showcasing our joint development,” Henning said. “These products are all about intuitive operation, connectivity with databases and other systems and new, simple and cost-effective technology for service units. And as with all units from MAHLE Aftermarket, updates and upgrades will be seamless. Customers can rely on state-of-the-art service.”
Link: MAHLE
