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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view, the parent company of link hidden, please login to view, announced the addition of link hidden, please login to view to the BCA aftermarket product line. This latest new number announcement delivers expanded OE‑quality coverage for key Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda applications, representing more than 800,000 vehicles in operation across North America. “These new part numbers reinforce BCA’s commitment to coverage and OE‑quality performance in high‑value segments of the market,” said Matt Gorski, manager of product development, automotive aftermarket. “As import platforms continue to evolve, we remain focused on providing dependable solutions that help our customers capture replacement demand with confidence.”
The new additions strengthen BCA’s late‑model import coverage across key Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda platforms, including a growing mix of luxury, hybrid, and electric vehicles. By addressing both emerging electrified applications and sustained service demand in premium internal‑combustion models, this release further reinforces BCA’s ability to deliver durable, OE‑quality solutions for a broad and evolving segment of the aftermarket, the company said.
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view, the parent company of link hidden, please login to view, announced the addition of link hidden, please login to view to the BCA aftermarket product line. This latest new number announcement delivers expanded OE‑quality coverage for key Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda applications, representing more than 800,000 vehicles in operation across North America. “These new part numbers reinforce BCA’s commitment to coverage and OE‑quality performance in high‑value segments of the market,” said Matt Gorski, manager of product development, automotive aftermarket. “As import platforms continue to evolve, we remain focused on providing dependable solutions that help our customers capture replacement demand with confidence.”
The new additions strengthen BCA’s late‑model import coverage across key Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda platforms, including a growing mix of luxury, hybrid, and electric vehicles. By addressing both emerging electrified applications and sustained service demand in premium internal‑combustion models, this release further reinforces BCA’s ability to deliver durable, OE‑quality solutions for a broad and evolving segment of the aftermarket, the company said.
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By Counterman
The future of mobility is electric, notes
link hidden, please login to view, which predicts that in 2035, around 50% of the newly manufactured cars and light commercial vehicles worldwide will be fully electric and 30% hybrid. Another 20% of all newly manufactured passenger cars will have only an internal combustion engine in 2035. The regional markets paint a nuanced picture of the powertrain mix, as Matthias Zink, CEO, Powertrain & Chassis, explained in his keynote address at the 2026 Vienna Motor Symposium: “Whereas here in Europe, we are gearing up for a ban on internal combustion engines more or less due to current legislation, we are seeing significant demand for hybrid vehicles in markets outside the EU far beyond 2035.”
2035 Powertrain Mix and Regional Markets
Above all, in North and South America and in Southeast Asia, hybrids are set to dominate new vehicle production within the next 10 years. In Japan, hybrids will account for as much as around 77% of production.
“In this context, our technology-neutral product strategy embracing all powertrain system options helps us to manage these mixed market developments and above all, address increasing customer demand for hybrid solutions,” says Zink.
Volume Production for Dedicated Hybrid Transmissions
The company said it sees potential in the efficiency and flexibility of hybrid powertrain technologies in close collaboration with vehicle manufacturers worldwide. This is why Schaeffler offers components, including complete systems, for diverse hybrid topologies—mild, full, and plug-in hybrids and vehicles with range extenders. These vehicles play a role in reducing CO2 emissions and achieving fleet targets when driven predominantly in electric mode.
Schaeffler started developing complete systems for the hybrid powertrain more than 10 years ago. A current example is the company’s MultiMode dedicated hybrid transmission, which goes into volume production this year worldwide at various European and Asian vehicle manufacturers. It is an integrated system with two electric machines, power electronics, and hydraulics for cooling and actuation of the clutch and parking lock. Schaeffler supplies the associated software and functions from a single source.
The total weight of the compact module is 125 kilograms and delivers up to 145 kilowatts of peak power. It is suitable for full and plug-in hybrids and offers three driving modes: electric, serial and parallel. In serial mode, this flexibility allows the internal combustion engine to operate consistently at optimum efficiency. Several presentations at the Vienna Motor Symposium addressed the dedicated hybrid transmission.
Zink explained the strategic rationale behind it: “We are convinced that hybrids offer consumers an easy introduction to electric mobility. If driven extensively in electric mode, these vehicles make an important contribution to the decarbonization of the mobility sector. Every gram of CO2 saved counts.”
Components for the Hybrid Powertrain
Internal combustion engines in hybrid powertrains also have to be efficient and meet future emission standards and noise requirements. Ideally, they should be designed so that the driver doesn’t detect any difference between electric and internal combustion engine driving mode. Schaeffler sees innovation potential in this requirement.
The company said it is developing damping solutions like the spoke damper, which eliminates torsional vibrations at the crankshaft and minimizes installation space. Its position directly in the crankcase means there is no need to seal off the crankshaft, which reduces friction. The spoke damper is already in volume production at Chinese manufacturers, with further production starts set to take place in the course of this year.
To improve engine efficiency without compromising driving dynamics, Schaeffler also offers next-generation camshaft phasing units. These incorporate a brushless DC (BLDC) motor including control unit, integrated electronics, and software for optimized valve control across a wide range of loads and speeds. The high adjustment speed and precision allow for efficient combustion.
Last year, Schaeffler marked the production launch of the latest generation of camshaft phasing units at its plant in Taicang, China, and is supplying customers worldwide.
Growth Segment: Sensor Technology
Thanks to the merger with
link hidden, please login to view in 2024, Schaeffler said it now has a sensor technology portfolio used, for example, in emission control and exhaust gas aftertreatment. For improved emission control when using renewable fuels, Schaeffler offers the Flex Fuel sensor. This high-precision sensor is mounted between the fuel tank and engine and measures the ethanol content in the fuel before it is injected. “Following our merger with Vitesco Technologies, we have a well-rounded, innovative product portfolio, expanded capabilities in the key R&D segments, an increased global presence, and greater vertical integration,” said Zink. “We are therefore in a good position to work with our customers as a key partner to successfully shape the transformation – in Germany, Europe and worldwide.”
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By Counterman
Standard Motor Products Inc. (SMP) announced expanded coverage in multiple engine sensor categories. Advanced internal combustion engine systems such as variable valve timing and turbocharging depend on timely, accurate data from multiple sensors. SMP said its engine sensors are designed for accuracy, speed and durability, and each sensor is tested and validated for performance in extreme conditions.
Engine Sensor Categories and New Part Numbers
link hidden, please login to view engine sensor categories include camshaft position sensors, crankshaft position sensors, battery current and voltage sensors, mass air flow (MAF) sensors, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors, coolant temperature sensors, throttle position sensors and fuel pressure sensors. Recent part number additions have expanded these categories. MAP sensors have been added for General Motors vehicles through the 2025 model year, as well as Ford vehicles such as the 2021 through 2025 F-150, 2018 to 2023 Transit Connect and 2021 to 2024 Bronco. MAF sensors are new for 2.2 million Lexus and Toyota vehicles, as well as Cadillac cars and SUVs through 2024. Coolant temperature sensors were recently introduced for vehicles such as the 2020 to 2023 Chevrolet Silverado and 2021 to 2023 GMC Yukon.
Multiple battery current and voltage sensors were recently added, introducing coverage for the 2020 to 2025 Nissan Sentra, 2018 to 2024 Jeep Wrangler, 2019 to 2023 Kia Soul and 2019 to 2025 Lexus ES300h. Additionally, engine oil level sensors have been introduced for more than 6 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles through the 2025 model year.
Testing and Validation
link hidden, please login to view said its engine sensors are subjected to extensive testing in the lab, on actual vehicles and at the end of the line to ensure quality. Camshaft and crankshaft position sensors undergo vibration testing for 48 to 68 hours on multiple planes for durability and are chamber tested from minus 40 °F to 257 °F for accuracy in all conditions. They are then validated on actual vehicles to help optimize the performance of fuel injection and variable valve timing systems. Each sensor is end of line tested for timing, pulse width and signal amplitude. “Standard offers thousands of precision engineered sensors in multiple categories, providing our trusted partners with the industry leading coverage they expect from us,” said John Herc, vice president of vehicle control marketing at SMP. “But we do not just stop at coverage; we design and test our engine sensors specifically for accuracy, speed and durability to keep modern vehicles operating as intended.”
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By Counterman
Plews & Edelmann has introduced a complete Electric Power Steering (EPS) repair category—Edelmann EPS drive belt kits, torque sensor replacements, couplings, and proprietary service tools—that eliminate the need for expensive full rack replacement on millions of modern vehicles. The company said the product line delivers more than 50 percent cost savings compared with rack replacement while restoring full power steering assist with a straightforward installation using common hand tools.
Electric power steering is now standard on most modern vehicles. Inside every belt-driven EPS rack is a rubber belt connecting the electric motor to the steering gear. When that belt wears or breaks, steering reverts to manual mode—heavy, unresponsive, and unsafe. Until now, the only fix was complete rack replacement: a repair that routinely exceeds $1,000 in parts alone, requires module reprogramming and realignment, and can leave vehicles out of commission for days.
Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits
According to the company, Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits provide everything needed for a complete repair in a single box, including a replacement drive belt, belt housing gasket, O-rings, inner and outer boot clamps, additional seals as needed and rack-specific video installation instructions. No module re-flash is required, no realignment and no specialized diagnostic equipment.
“The industry treated EPS failure as a rack problem,” said Dan Billie, CEO of Plews & Edelmann. “While others claim repair innovations, we looked at the root cause and realized, in many cases, it was a belt problem. That’s a fundamentally different repair—and it means professional technicians and DIYers now have a cost-effective option where one simply didn’t exist before.”
Couplings Expand Vehicle Coverage
Replacement couplings extend this repair-first philosophy to even broader vehicle coverage. The 9700 Pinion Driven Motor Coupling covers over 5.8 million vehicles in operation across Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet vehicles—where the alternative rack replacement costs average $1,750. The 9701 and 9702 Column Driven Motor Couplings cover 7.6 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles and Toyota and Lexus vehicles respectively—where unit replacement runs $1,100.
Torque Sensor Replacements
link hidden, please login to viewhas further expanded the EPS repair category with Edelmann Torque Sensor Replacements. The torque sensor is one of the most critical components in an electric power steering system—it measures steering wheel force and direction, sending real-time data to the EPS control module. When a torque sensor fails, drivers experience uneven steering effort, intermittent warning lights, or complete loss of power assist. Part 9704 covers some Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles, while part 9705 covers some Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, and Saturn Aura applications. Both feature OEM-replacement design with mounting hardware and alignment marks, backed by U.S.-based ASE-certified technical support.
Chamfer Ring Removal Tools
link hidden, please login to viewsaid it also developed proprietary Chamfer Ring Removal Tools designed specifically for electric rack and pinion systems, ensuring safe, efficient belt replacement on the highest-volume applications. “By developing a purpose-built repair solution for EPS systems, we’re giving technicians the ability to service a category that was previously replace-only,” said Anthony Holguin, director of category management at Plews & Edelmann. “These products provide opportunity and convenience by turning a $1,000-plus replacement into a repair that can be completed the same day with tools already in the shop. Plus, part stores can rely on a much smaller inventory footprint than stocking several different racks to achieve the same end.”
Coverage and Availability
Current EPS kits, couplings, and torque sensor coverage spans high-volume domestic and import applications, providing a critical service option where replacement components are scarce or backordered, getting vehicles back on the road quickly.
Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits and replacement components are part of the Plews & Edelmann broader Total Solution strategy—the philosophy that a complete power steering repair addresses every component in the system: pump, rack, hoses, cooler, filter, and fluid. With over 100,000 application-specific power steering bundles, all-new manufactured hard parts (not remanufactured), and a 100-year/1,000,000-mile warranty on Edelmann Elite products, Plews & Edelmann has built a portfolio designed to eliminate warranty returns by ensuring the repair is done right the first time.
Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits, Couplings, Torque Sensors, and Chamfer Ring Tools are available now through authorized aftermarket distributors. To learn more or find kits for specific applications, visit the
link hidden, please login to viewor call 1-800-770-4639. The post
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