From a components manufacturer to a global systems partner
Innovative strength has always been the engine of our success. MAHLE has grown from a small manufacturing shop to tecnology leader. As a globally leading systems supplier and development partner to our customers, we continually provide motivation for the internal combustion engine of the future. “Making the good even better”—in line with the philosophy of our company founders, performance remains our driving force today.
Innovation—the engine of success
The success story begins in 1920 when pistons made of heavy gray cast iron were being used in internal combustion engines for automobiles. The Mahle brothers, in contrast, were producing light-alloy pistons at their small, newly established company. To keep dirt and dust out of the engine, they eventually developed air and oil filters. Their perseverance paid off as the lightalloy pistons began to take over the market.
In 1927, the Company developed the first controlled- expansion piston in Germany and in 1931, the world’s first aluminum ring carrier piston for diesel engines. In 1976, MAHLE brought the first European aluminum engine blocks made from hypereutectic alloy onto the market.
By 1988, the composite camshaft was ready for series production and in 2001, MAHLE presented a revolutionary cooling concept for pistons in high-speed passenger car diesel engines. The first all-plastic oil filter in the world followed in 2003. To demonstrate its systems competence for the entire engine, MAHLE developed and constructed its first complete engine in 2004 and a 3-cylinder downsizing engine with a displacement of 1,200 cm3 in 2007. Today, MAHLE offers systems solutions ranging from power cell units and fully assembled cylinder heads to complete engine assembly and also provides expertise in the entire air management system. At our research and development centers worldwide, we are working on innovations for greater power, reduced consumption and emission values, and better performance throughout the complete system. Today, every second automobile contains MAHLE components.
Centenary Experience of the MAHLE