SKF and Ricardo have signed an agreement to develop energy-efficient solutions to better meet the increasing customer demands from the automotive industry for improved fuel economy and reduced CO₂ emissions.

Through the cooperation both companies will be able to offer their common customer base a “one-stop shop” partner, providing leading-edge research, product and application development and cost-effective manufacturing and supply.

The cooperation is based on a number of identified areas covering long-term research projects, application and product development, as well as customer-specific solution development. The initial focus will be on increasing the efficiency of today’s transmission and engine technology.

“SKF is already very active in the development of energy-efficient solutions,” says Tryggve Sthen, president SKF Automotive Division. “The cooperation between SKF and Ricardo strengthens our position as a frontrunner in the industry and also our position in this field.”

Says Ricardo CEO Dave Shemmans: “We are very pleased to be entering this agreement with SKF, to jointly address some of the energy-efficiency issues facing the automotive industry and to provide our customers with technology that will en-able the next generation of low-carbon vehicles.”

Ricardo, based in the United Kingdom, is a leading provider of technology, product innovation, engineering solutions and strategic consulting to the world’s automotive, transport and energy industries.