ZF Accelerates Lightweight Innovation with Mass Production of IPA Stabilizer Link at Zhangjiagang Plant
On August 13, 2025, ZF made a groundbreaking announcement that its first Injection Plastic Assembly (IPA) stabilizer link at the Zhangjiagang plant had officially entered mass production in just 14 months. This significant milestone marks the successful addition of the IPA stabilizer link to ZF’s expanding product lineup, showcasing the company’s commitment to innovation in the electric vehicle chassis system.
The IPA stabilizer link, with its optimized weight and cutting-edge production technology, offers a revolutionary approach to enhancing chassis systems in electric vehicles. By introducing innovative technologies such as the IPA ball joint and FRP (Fiber-reinforced Plastic) rod, ZF has achieved forward-looking breakthroughs in lightweight design to meet the demand for lightweighting in new energy vehicles.
The IPA ball joint replaces the traditional multi-component structure with a full plastic housing, reducing component count, simplifying part management and assembly, and contributing to vehicle lightweighting. The FRP rod, made of glass fiber reinforced polyester resin, achieves weight reduction and cost efficiency while meeting performance requirements. This IPA stabilizer link reduces weight by over 15% compared to conventional products, offering significant market competitiveness in the pursuit of lower energy consumption and extended range in the new energy vehicle industry.
In line with its commitment to the Chinese market, ZF has prioritized the localization of advanced products and technologies as a core strategy. By implementing IPA technology at the Zhangjiagang Plant and mass-producing composite components, the company has effectively addressed the lightweighting needs of China’s NEV sector, establishing a responsive supply chain system.
Ken Si, Head of Product Line Chassis Components AP, emphasized the significance of the first IPA stabilizer link with a composite material design for the Zhangjiagang CC plant, marking a key milestone in localization and partnership with an important European car manufacturer. Leveraging ZF’s global and Asia-Pacific resources, the Zhangjiagang plant completed the automatic round table construction, passed customer audits, and received final PPAP approval in just 14 months.
The IPA line at the Zhangjiagang plant is designed to produce approximately 1.6 million pieces per year, with more projects slated for mass production in 2026. This rapid progress underscores ZF’s commitment to driving lightweight innovation and meeting the evolving needs of the electric vehicle market.
