Stability control moves the automotive industry – 02/25/2023 – Eduardo Sodré

Discussions about electric cars and automation have dominated the global automotive scene in recent years, but there are pressing issues that remain ongoing in Brazil. Increased vehicle safety is one such topic.

Although the current movements draw less attention than the mandatory use of front airbags and ABS brakes (2014), the compulsory installation of the ESC (electronic stability control) system has a greater effect on preventing accidents.

This safety item can act autonomously and reduce the speed of the vehicle even if the driver continues to accelerate. It is this intervention that prevents collisions caused, for example, by sudden maneuvers and slippery floors.

In a note, the German systemist ZF mentions the study carried out by the Institute of Road Safety in the United States. The work carried out between 2004 and 2006 demonstrated that the presence of ESC in vehicles reduced fatal accidents by 43%. The system has been mandatory there since 2012.

As of 2024, all zero-kilometer cars sold in Brazil must be equipped with electronic stability control.

Mass adoption started in 2020, but there have been changes to the schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic and logistical and semiconductor supply difficulties.

The obligation established by Contran (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito) brought the need for local production of the ESC. Automakers and their suppliers are in the final stage of adapting to serve both the domestic market and neighboring countries.

“Currently around 80% of new vehicles in Brazil already have the ESC because of the existing regulation. Argentina tends to follow Brazilian norms due to the exchange of models”, says Renato Orlando, director of brake operations at ZF América do Sul .

Since the end of 2022, the company has been producing stability controls in Limeira (inland São Paulo). Before, the systems were imported from Germany.

Local manufacturing is still threatened by the semiconductor crisis, whose supply remains erratic.

“From the beginning, ZF already knew that it was not about something of short term, and even if there is a repressed demand, the scenario is still uncertain”, says Orlando.

“We know that there is a race for new semiconductor factories to be built. But until these units are in operation, there may be a delay in the normalization of the productive capacity of these items.”

In addition to the current supply problems, there are other important steps to increase the safety of vehicles for sale in Brazil.

Throughout this decade, all cars produced in the country must have side airbags and autonomous braking systems. These items will be required to meet stricter safety standards.

Although there is concern about costs and the consequent rise in prices of cars, these movements contribute to the recovery of the national industry. The main thing, however, is to make traffic less lethal.

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