Electronic Park and Brake System for Large Pickup Trucks Coming to North America

South Korean auto parts supplier develops eDIH system smaller and more effective than mechanical counterparts.

A worker assembles a cockpit module while monitoring the production progress at the Hyundai Mobis Asan plant in South Chungcheong Province. (Image courtesy Hyundai Mobis.)

Drivers of large pickup trucks rejoice!

South Korea’s largest auto parts supplier, Hyundai Mobis Co., recently announced its successful development of a new electronic drum-in-hat (eDIH) park and brake system for heavy duty/ultra heavy duty pickup trucks.

Electronic parking brakes (EPBs) are usually categorized as caliper-based Motor on Caliper (MOC) systems or eDIH, depending on how they operate to prevent a vehicle from rolling backwards when parked on a hill.

Caliper-integrated systems are usually mounted on your average recreational vehicles while eDIH systems are common for large vehicles like – you guessed it – trucks, which require greater braking force due to their significantly higher load capacity.

Historically, eDIH systems haven’t been popular for passenger cars and the RV market. Today’s large pickup trucks in the North American market use mechanical DIH systems, so this may be a brave step into an uncertain niche market for Hyundai Mobis.

The company’s own eDIH system has increased parking brake force by 1.5 times what’s possible for existing parking brakes (side/foot brakes). Moreover, by integrating some parts into an all-in-one unit, it reduces the system’s size by about 30 percent.

Hyundai Mobis is optimistic about opening an eDIH market in North America. The company is hoping to meet a demand in the region’s pickup truck market, where eDIH systems can be applied to around 20 percent of large pickup trucks.

Hyundai Mobis states that according to the market research firm IHS Markit Ltd., the market size of pickup trucks across North America is estimated to reach around 3.8 million units this year.

The company is also hoping to use this opportunity to find markets for its caliper-based MOC systems and build relationships with North American automakers.

Hyundai Mobis is already supplying other parts to US automakers, including (chassis) modules, lamps, ICS (Integrated Center Stack), DIH and other electric components.

For more information, visit the Hyundai Mobis website.