March 9, 2018
Mahle Group sells its shares in the Hella Behr Plastic Omnium (HBPO) joint venture to fellow shareholder Plastic Omnium in what the automotive supplier calls a move to focus on its strategic core business.
HBPO specializes in the assembly, logistics, development and design of front-end modules, consisting of bumpers, lighting systems and cooling components. Assembly of front-end modules is not integral to the core business of Mahle, and the company says it wants to focus on production of cooling modules.
The cooling components installed in the front-end module usually are commissioned by automakers, and the front-end-module manufacturers are tasked with integrating the final assembly, Mahle says in a news release. The Stuttgart, Germany-based supplier says it will retain close links with HBPO in this area.
In line with its strategic orientation, Mahle in the future will invest more intensively and consistently in new e-mobility technologies. Key components include cooling modules, electric engines and power electronics.
HBPO was formed in 2004 as an equal joint venture among automotive suppliers Hella, Plastic Omnium and Behr Group. Its majority acquisition of Behr gave Mahle one-third of the shares in the JV. These shares are to be transferred to Plastic Omnium pending antitrust approval.
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