ZF Passive Safety US Inc.

What ZF Passive Safety US Inc. does

ZF Passive Safety US Inc. is a US subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a German automotive technology conglomerate, and operates as part of ZF's global Aftermarket division. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, the entity is associated with the TRW brand portfolio acquired by ZF in 2015, and contributes to a worldwide independent automotive parts and services business spanning passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks/trailers/buses, motorcycles, construction and agricultural machinery, rail, and marine applications.

The product portfolio combines legacy parts brands — ZF, TRW (braking systems), SACHS (suspension/dampers), WABCO (commercial vehicle systems), LEMFÖRDER (chassis/steering), and BOGE (elastomer components) — with digital and service adjacencies. Notable technical components include copper-free TRW Electric Blue brake pads for EVs/hybrids with 75 SKUs and NVH scores above OE specification, the TRW Ultra and TRW Pro pad tiers offering 98%+ vehicle coverage, an industrial 9-step remanufacturing process certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, the ZF MultiScan and ZF Scan all-makes diagnostics platforms, the AI-driven SCALAR fleet orchestration system, and an AI Voice Agent within ZF [pro]Manager that uses ASR and NLU for automotive-specific call handling.

The business model is a multi-tier B2B distribution play: parts are sold to independent workshops, distributors, and fleets through an online catalog portal, over 650 ZF Aftermarket Service Centers worldwide, partner programs (ZF [pro]Tech for passenger-car workshops, ZF [pro]Service for commercial-vehicle workshops), and regional remanufacturing facilities (20+ globally). Revenue comes from hardware sales, professional transmission repair services, and core-return remanufacturing services. Pricing is tiered (premium/value/EV-specialty) and quote-based via the portal, with no public pricing. ZF Aftermarket warrants parts supply for up to 15 years after production phase-out, which is a notable service-level commitment that anchors long-tail customer retention.

Name

ZF Passive Safety US Inc.

Legal name

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Website

https://trwaftermarket.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Aftermarket Parts

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312), Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (33639)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)

akta.pro primary industry

Mechanical replacement parts distribution (engine, drivetrain, steering, suspension, brakes) (CRAOANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maintenance, service & repair (MSR) parts distribution (filters, belts, hoses, wipers, fluids) (CRAOANAB), Heavy-duty truck, trailer & commercial vehicle parts distribution (CRAOANAJ), Aftermarket Suspension & Steering Components Manufacturing (Shocks/Struts/Bushings/Tie Rods) (IMACANAC)

Keywords

• Automotive aftermarket parts
• Brake systems
• Driveline components
• Workshop diagnostics
• Remanufactured parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Livonia, Michigan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aftermarket Parts Sales: ZF Aftermarket generates revenue through the sale of automotive spare parts and components to the independent aftermarket, including brake pads, transmissions, axles, clutches, shock absorbers, and steering/chassis parts under brands including ZF, SACHS, TRW, and WABCO.
2. Transmission Service & Repair: Provides transmission repair and replacement services for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles through a network of over 650 ZF Aftermarket Service Centers. Offers exchange units, genuine spare parts, and repair kits.
3. Remanufacturing Services: Industrial refurbishment of old parts (cores) into like-new condition through a global network of over 15 remanufacturing locations. Customers return old parts and receive remanufactured units.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ZF Passive Safety US Inc. operates the TRW Aftermarket and ZF Aftermarket business in the United States, supplying OE-quality replacement automotive parts — including brake systems, transmissions, axles, clutches, shock absorbers, and steering & chassis components — under the ZF, TRW, SACHS, WABCO, LEMFÖRDER and BOGE brands. The company serves workshops, distributors, and commercial fleets through an online catalog, a global network of 650+ ZF Aftermarket Service Centers, partner programs (ZF [pro]Tech, ZF [pro]Service), remanufacturing services, diagnostics tools, and AI-driven fleet management (SCALAR).

Product overview

ZF Aftermarket is the aftermarket division of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, offering a comprehensive portfolio of automotive safety, driveline, and chassis technology products and services. The portfolio includes core product brands ZF, TRW (braking systems), SACHS (suspension), and WABCO (commercial vehicle systems). The platform operates as a modular ecosystem combining physical products (braking systems, transmissions, axles, clutches, shock absorbers, steering & chassis parts for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, construction/agriculture, rail, and marine) with digital solutions (ZF [pro]Diagnostics for vehicle diagnostics, ZF [pro]Manager for workshop management, SCALAR for fleet orchestration, SDM365 for spare parts catalog, and ZF [pro]Academy for training). Service programs include ZF [pro]Tech and ZF [pro]Service workshop concepts, remanufacturing services, and various configurators. The company also offers specialized products for electric vehicles including TRW Electric Blue brake pads.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZF [pro]Tech: Workshop concept for passenger car workshops offering professional network and advantages
• ZF [pro]Service
• ZF [pro]Academy
• ZF [pro]Diagnostics
• TRW Electric Blue
• TRW Ultra
• TRW Pro
• SCALAR
• ZF proPoints

Products and services

• TRW Braking Systems Premium-quality braking solutions including brake pads, brake discs, brake lines, and Electric Blue pads for EVs/HVs, serving passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers, and buses.
• ZF Transmissions Automatic and manual transmissions for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, including new and exchange units, genuine spare parts, and repair services.
• ZF Axles Axle systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles including trucks, trailers, and buses.
• ZF Clutches Clutch systems for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles.
• ZF Shock Absorbers & Dampers Shock absorbers and dampers for passenger cars, trucks, trailers, and buses.
• ZF Steering & Chassis Parts Steering and chassis components for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
• ZF [pro]Diagnostics Digital diagnostic solutions including ZF MultiScan for advanced all-makes diagnostics and programming, and ZF Scan for vehicle system diagnostics, sold to workshops.
• ZF [pro]Tech Workshop Program Workshop concept for independent car and commercial vehicle workshops providing professional network access and service advantages for passenger car service.
• ZF [pro]Service Workshop Program Next generation service concept for truck, trailer, and bus workshops providing personalized service solutions and exclusive member benefits.
• SCALAR Fleet Orchestration Platform AI-driven orchestration platform for fleet management that dynamically optimizes routes, eliminates empty runs, and predicts maintenance needs, sold to commercial fleet operators.
• ZF Remanufacturing Service Industrial refurbishment of old parts (cores) through a quality-checked 9-step process across 15+ global remanufacturing locations, certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
• WABCO Commercial Vehicle Systems Commercial vehicle safety and control systems including braking systems, air management, safety & control, and vehicle diagnostics for trucks, trailers, and buses.
• SACHS Suspension and Damping Products Premium suspension and damping products including shock absorbers, with associated repair service and warranty programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 98% vehicle coverage across TRW brake pad product lines
• +2 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Brembo: Brembo is a leading global brake system and disc manufacturer with a growing aftermarket presence. Directly comparable to ZF/TRW on premium brake pad/disc SKUs for passenger cars and increasingly EVs.
• Continental Aftermarket: Continental's aftermarket business supplies brake, drivetrain, and chassis components plus diagnostic tools to workshops and distributors globally. Comparable breadth of portfolio, OE heritage, and direct competition with ZF/TRW on brake pad and ADAS-relevant product lines.
• Dana Incorporated: Dana is a driveline and e-propulsion specialist with significant aftermarket business in axles, driveshafts, and sealing products. Overlaps with ZF's axle and commercial vehicle driveline aftermarket offerings.
• Bosch Automotive Aftermarket: Robert Bosch GmbH's aftermarket division is ZF Aftermarket's closest competitor, offering brakes, diagnostics, OE-quality parts, and a global workshop network. Both companies compete directly in independent workshop parts supply and in EV-specific product launches.
• Dorman Products: Dorman is a US-focused aftermarket parts specialist with broad SKU coverage of replacement mechanical, steering, and chassis components. Comparable to TRW Pro's value-tier positioning on older vehicles with 35-year coverage.
• Akebono Brake Industry: Akebono is a Japanese brake specialist with OE and aftermarket pad coverage in North America and Asia. Direct competitor to TRW on premium ceramic brake pad SKUs and EV brake applications.
• Tenneco / DRiV (DRiV Incorporated): DRiV (formerly Tenneco's aftermarket division) supplies ride control, braking, and powertrain parts under brands like Monroe, Walker, and Fel-Pro. Directly competes with SACHS and WABCO product lines and is a major workshop-channel rival.
• Aisin Aftermarket: Aisin supplies driveline, transmission, and clutch components with established aftermarket channels. Directly comparable to ZF on transmission remanufacturing/exchange units and clutch product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Genuine Parts Company (NAPA): Genuine Parts owns NAPA Auto Parts, one of the largest US aftermarket distribution networks, selling its own and third-party brands including brake, chassis, and driveline parts. Comparable distribution scale and downstream workshop relationships, though GPC is a retailer/distributor rather than a manufacturer.

Emerging players

• BorgWarner Aftermarket: BorgWarner supplies drivetrain and powertrain components with growing e-mobility and aftermarket focus. Comparable to ZF on transmission/driveline aftermarket, though more emerging in EV-specific aftermarket SKUs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ZFGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZFGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zf-passive-safety-us-inc.

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZF Passive Safety US Inc.