Special vehicle construction & new mobility solutions
The transition to electromobility is giving many industries a powerful boost. Vehicles for the smallest application niches are becoming conceivable. However, it is often start-ups that lack the necessary development and manufacturing know-how to bring their ideas to fruition. AL-KO Vehicle Technology (AL-KO VT) is ideally set up to pave the way for these projects.
Photo: Roland Spiegler, Head of the R&D Competence Centre Vehicles, (left) and Walter Hofhansl, Head of the R&D Competence Centre Trailer, and their teams work closely together.
AL-KO VT: Partner for special vehicle construction
New mobility is transforming our cities
Hoverboards, e-scooters, e-bikes, and cargo bikes are just a few examples of the new forms of slim, unpretentious, and sustainable mobility that have conquered our cities in recent years. In the commercial vehicle sector, electric drivetrains are also driving significant innovation. This trend is by no means limited to new vehicle concepts for last-mile delivery. Whilst e-transporters and cabin-based cargo bikes for parcel services are the most visible, with the right components and expertise, virtually any machine or work unit can be made mobile—from a fryer for the weekly market through to a lighting tower for open-air concerts or a snowplough for winter services.
AL-KO VT combines expertise & components
Structurally flexible
AL-KO VT already utilises its expertise and components from the various business units of the DexKo Group to provide manufacturers of special vehicles with solutions tailored to their needs. The PistenBully from Kässbohrer, for example, uses different axle technologies depending on the vehicle size, which AL-KO VT has developed based on its proprietary base axles. The aCar from EVUM Motors is also based on the modular lightweight chassis system and rubber suspension axles, which AL-KO VT has adapted to meet specific requirements.
Individually customised chassis and axle loads from AL-KO VT
From prototype to series production
Overall, AL-KO VT relies on high-quality components and modular system designs. The company is highly proficient in manufacturing a broad range of batch sizes efficiently, with annual output ranging from five to 20,000 units. Its development, purchasing, and production structures are set up accordingly.
The day-to-day business at AL-KO VT: Adapting chassis and axle loads to specific applications, engineering axle suspension and brakes accordingly, and manufacturing the resulting system cost-effectively. For the development of more complex systems, AL-KO VT can draw on the group’s wide product portfolio and combine expertise from self-propelled vehicles and trailers.
Start-ups with outstanding ideas but little manufacturing experience, in particular, can benefit from this development expertise and these manufacturing structures. Scaling these well-established processes up to series production is no special challenge for AL-KO VT.
AL-KO VT as platform provider and development partner
Comprehensive development and manufacturing expertise within the DexKo Group
In the trailer business, AL-KO VT’s product and manufacturing expertise today goes far beyond that of a mere component supplier.
In its established business with powered vehicles, the company has so far mostly worked with so-called drive heads—complete driver’s cab and drive units supplied by well-known manufacturers. The challenge lies in integrating the mechanical, electrical, and digital interfaces of these drive heads while accommodating the particular requirements of each application. Even compatibility with driver assistance systems can present challenges.
When it comes to new mobility vehicles, AL-KO VT is now moving towards supplying complete frame and structural components that represent the entire vehicle. These include steering columns, bodywork parts, and seat consoles. Within the DexKo Group, in addition to axles, brakes, and chassis, products also include seating systems from Aguti, SAWIKO towbars and lighting carriers, as well as CBE electronics solutions. By combining components and developing comprehensive cross-divisional solutions, AL-KO VT is increasingly taking on the role of a platform provider and development partner in these new business areas.
Wide range of applications for AL-KO VT chassis
Prototypes, very small and small production runs welcome
Owing to the diverse application possibilities of AL-KO VT chassis, the company is familiar with a wide array of uses in small and very small series. For instance, the chassis serve as boat trailers, horseboxes, or mobile medical stations. Electromobility continues to provide new impetus for the development of special vehicles in niche applications. AL-KO VT is ideally positioned to actively support this development, for volumes ranging from a single unit to several thousand.
