GKN Automotive has made a significant expansion to it range of Spidan electric steering columns.

The global OE and aftermarket component supplier has added 30 new electric steering columns covering more than 500 different vehicle types. The expansion includes steering columns for popular models such as the VW Up and Polo as well as the Ford Fiesta.

Electric steering columns are smaller and lighter than conventional hydraulic steering systems and pair with direct actuator drives to improve fuel efficiency. They are also an important prerequisite for autonomous driving, as they can be controlled by the vehicle electronics. They are already a common feature in many small and mid-size vehicles and will feature on many more vehicles in the future. This will mean demand for high quality aftermarket replacements will growth significantly.