Rethinking engine cooling – a vital success factor for wholesalers
The demands placed on wholesalers have changed massively in recent years. Vehicles have become much more technologically complex, and the issue of engine cooling has taken on a central role – regardless of whether it is a question of classic combustion engines, hybrid vehicles or fully electric models. For wholesalers this means the following: specialist knowledge in thermal management is more important today than ever before.
New opportunities for wholesalers thanks to modern cooling technology
When it comes to combustion engines, cooling technology has developed significantly in recent years. Cutting-edge, electronically controlled cooling circuits, variable water pumps and intelligent thermostats influence not only the temperature, but also consumption, performance and exhaust gas management.
This opens up new sales potential for wholesalers: workshops increasingly require components for professional cooling system testing, electronic diagnostics and preventive maintenance
Complex cooling requirements in hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles bring with them additional challenges. They combine two completely different drive systems, each of which has its own thermal requirements. Batteries, power electronics, electric engines and combustion units often require separate cooling circuits, which means that wholesalers need more sensors, more coolant types and more spare parts for all the complex cooling systems. Those who demonstrate expertise in all this are viewed as a reliable partner for modern workshops – thus securing a clear competitive edge.
Efficient temperature control as a prerequisite for range and service life
Cooling also plays a key role in electric vehicles (BEV). Contrary to what is often assumed, electric cars do not require less service, but often even more expertise in the area of thermal management. The temperature stability of the high-voltage battery is crucial for range, charging speed and service life. At the same time, power converters, onboard chargers and electric engines also generate heat that needs to be dissipated. This creates growing sales potential for wholesalers: the demand for high-quality thermal management components for electric vehicles is steadily increasing.
The trend is very obvious: thermal management is a key topic in vehicle system technology. Modern diagnostic devices and a wide range of products for different cooling architectures are becoming increasingly important for workshops. Customers count on their vehicles staying efficient, safe and enjoying a long service life – and engine cooling is vital for all these things.
How can wholesalers meet the increasing demands of thermal management?
This is where HELLA comes in. With an extensive and constantly growing IAM range of engine cooling components for cars, light commercial vehicles and trucks, as well as boasting a high degree of pioneering work in the OE sector for the thermal management of electric vehicles, HELLA has its finger on the pulse and finds itself therefore at the cutting edge of technology.
As the global vehicle population will increase by 2050 and shift towards electric vehicles, HELLA will focus in the long term on underpinning, in particular, the importance of thermal management components for electric vehicles. Our strategic focus on thermal management will enable us to shape the market for BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) applications. With the Coolant Control Hub (CCH), we connect the cooling circuits for the battery, the electric engine and the vehicle interior, thus ensuring greater efficiency, shorter charging times and a longer range for electric cars, as the thermal energy is optimally distributed.
By offering an electronic valve actuator (eVA) and a powerful media pump (MPX), we ensure that the coolant is channelled through the coolant circuit of an electric vehicle as required. This guarantees optimal temperature control of all critical components, for example the battery and the power electronics. As a result, it is possible to increase the service life and efficiency of the lithium-ion battery and extend the overall range of electric vehicles.
Over time, this pioneering OE expertise will also be transferred to our IAM range so that wholesalers can also benefit directly from it.
Thermal management taken to the next level - extensive, reliable, HELLA!
In addition to the classic thermal management range, we also offer a wide selection of electrical and electronic IAM products for thermal management, including thermostats (coolant thermostats) and sensors (e.g. coolant temperature sensors).
This availability will further improve our engine cooling product portfolio and ensure that our partners receive all the items they need from a single source.