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Automotive in figures
All figures relate to continuing operations. * before taxes and minority interest
			2003/2004		2004/2005
Order intake	million €		7,250		7,890
Sales	million €		7,247		7,627
EBITDA	million €		606		379
Income*	million €		260		49
Employees (September 30)			42,139		42,541

ThyssenKrupp Automotive counts virtually all the world's leading automotive manufacturers among its customers. The segment produces body parts, engine components such as crankshafts and assembled camshafts, steering columns and systems, innovative air suspension and damping systems, as well as axles and complete chassis. Customers receive tailored solutions ranging from design, engineering and factory planning to the planning and construction of production facilities and logistics coordination. Our customers always involve us in the development of their products from an early stage.

Successful globalization continued

To secure our future and strengthen our international market position, we intend to make our products and services even better, expand the leading positions we already occupy and extend our regional presence. For example, the merger of our body specialists ThyssenKrupp Drauz and Nothelfer has created one of the biggest service providers and production equipment suppliers for automotive body applications.

As a global player in the automotive supply sector, ThyssenKrupp Automotive is continuing its drive for greater internationalization. The segment now has some 130 operations in 14 countries; two in three employees have their place of work outside Germany. The growth region of Asia, including China and India, is taking on increasing importance. We responded to this at an early stage and now have production sites, for example, in China manufacturing steering systems, body and chassis parts, car crankshafts, assembled camshafts and springs. With no end in sight to the globalization of the auto supply business, we are planning to establish further production facilities abroad, focusing in addition to China on India and Central and Eastern Europe.

Leading world market positions to be consolidated

The strong market positions we have achieved in our areas of expertise provide a platform for further international growth. In-house innovations have positioned ThyssenKrupp Automotive at the global forefront in areas such as body parts, engine components, and steering columns and systems. Our innovative air spring and damping systems, axles and complete chassis occupy leading market positions. We aim to extend this technology lead and are continuously developing new products and processes in collaboration with other segments in the Group. This Groupwide cooperation creates synergies and gives us competitive advantages which we use to the benefit of our customers.

One example of such cooperation is the hydroforming process, in which tubular steel parts are precision shaped by internal fluid pressure. This process delivers numerous technical advantages for chassis components. Specialists from our Group's Automotive and Steel segments work together on the development of ultralight auto bodies. We attach great significance to the groundbreaking areas of systems engineering and mechatronics, interfaces between electronic and mechanical assemblies which are of particular importance for chassis and steering applications.

Central to our development efforts are the demands of car drivers for greater safety, comfort and economy. To help meet these requirements, we supply international OEMs with tailored body parts of high-strength steel, aluminum or combinations of materials. Our new steering columns and our weight-optimized material and design concepts for side impact protection enhance safety. Our new electromechanical steering system offers added comfort, representing a first step toward steer-by-wire in which the driver's steering movements are transmitted electrically/electronically rather than mechanically.

In addition to the increasing number of certifications, the high quality standards of our automotive plants are reflected in the many customer awards we receive. For example, numerous companies of the Automotive segment have now achieved Ford Q1 status. Further awards have been received from Fiat, John Deere, Nissan and Toyota. For example, our Brazilian subsidiary ThyssenKrupp Metalúrgica Campo Limpo was honored with the Toyota Quality Excellence Performance Award. All these awards are bestowed in recognition of top quality and delivery performance.

Expert team for auto development

We see the trend among automotive OEMs toward outsourcing ever greater project volumes to their suppliers – from modules to complete vehicles – as both a challenge and an opportunity. Our Automotive and Steel segments have joined forces with Bertrandt, one of Europe's leading engineering companies, to form a joint competency team covering the entire auto development chain as well as major areas of vehicle production. Its capabilities range from research and development through to production and assembly, taking in all process steps and backed by simulation, prototyping and testing at all stages of development. For our customers, this means greater competency, improved performance, and outstanding quality and dependability – all delivered in less time.