Electronically controlled OE shock absorbers for Volkswagen Group

Greenwood, IN, November 8, 2023 – Electronically controlled shock absorbers from KYB Corporation have been adopted by Volkswagen Group to equip new Tiguan, Passat Variant, SKODA Superb and Kodiaq models with the new DCC Pro (Dynamics Chassis Control Pro). The introduction into the market is scheduled during the first quarter of 2024.

 

DCC Pro systems use double valve shock absorbers to independently control the extension and compression oscillations caused by the car body and the wheel movements while driving.

 

These valves react to road conditions and driving situations in a few milliseconds. The ECU activates the respective extension and compression solenoids to adjust independently the internal pressure of the shock absorber to suit road conditions and the driver’s preference (from comfortable to very sporty). The damping characteristics are automatically adjusted in a continuous way, which in conjunction with the full independence between extension and compression movements, brings the vehicle comfort and control to the highest level. This provides safe, dynamic manoeuvrability and an unprecedented ‘flying carpet’ ride experience.

 

KYB and the VW Group have been working together for several years, including the sporty Audi RS suspension, and since then have co-operated extensively for the VW brand. This new development is part of KYB’s policy to further strengthen its partnership with the German car manufacturer. The hard development and validation process engineered between KYB and Volkswagen teams has made it possible to offer this technology, which up to now was only imagined for the premium segments.

 

KYB will continue growing in advanced technologies that provide high added value to our customers in these challenging times for the Automotive sector.

 

KYB produces electronically controlled shock absorbers both in Asia and Europe, in its manufacturing facilities specifically built to be at the forefront of high technology shock absorber manufacturing.

 

KYB DCC Pro

 

KYB Names New Product Manager

Guna Sathyamurthy promoted to Product Manager

 

Greenwood, IN, May 19, 2023 – KYB Americas Corporation is proud to announce the promotion of Guna Sathyamurthy to Product Manager for the U.S. and Canada. KYB is committed to the growth and development of our associates, which includes promoting from within whenever possible, and Sathyamurthy is the latest example.

Guna started with KYB straight out of college and holds a degree in Economics from Butler University and in Mechanical Engineering from Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis. Guna has proven his ability to help set priorities and provide quality validations for KYB product offerings. His main focus over the last several years as Assistant Product Manager has been the expansion of the Strut-Plus and Truck-Plus categories. In his new role, he will continue to guide those product lines along with all other KYB product offerings.

“I’ve enjoyed being a part of the growing KYB team. I’m very excited for the opportunity to be a member of the strong group that is poised to lead KYB into the future.” he said. “We plan to significantly expand our product line offerings and drastically increase our market coverage.”

In his free time, Guna enjoys spending time with his family (parents, younger brother, younger sister, and maternal grandparents), riding his Ducati motorcycle, bouldering, and spending time outdoors (hiking, bicycling, soccer, swimming).

Guna will report to newly appointed Director of Product and Marketing Andy Castleman and will continue to be mentored by Tim Oldiges. Tim has been instrumental in KYB’s growth and product development and is a nearly 25-year veteran of the organization.

New Director Named at KYB

Andy Castleman takes over as Director of Product and Marketing

 

Greenwood, IN, May 15, 2023 – As part of their commitment to growth, development and promoting from within, KYB Americas Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Castleman to Director of Product and Marketing.

Andy joined KYB after a long career in the motorsports industry. During his time as Brand Manager at KYB, he has overseen the marketing, promotional and branding activities, and has provided valuable input on the market and KYB’s positioning. In his new position, Andy will continue to lead the marketing and promotional efforts, while overseeing KYB’s product offerings and product line expansions.

“Andy has proven industry knowledge and leadership abilities. His skills will be used to help provide focus on KYB’s goal to be the best supplier to our customers.” said KYB’s Executive Vice President Atsuo Matsunami.

“KYB is an excellent company with great products and a highly respected reputation. I’m proud to be named a steward of the brand and help guide its future growth.”  Castleman said.

Outside of KYB, Andy enjoys mountain biking, racing shifter karts, and restoring and riding vintage dirt bikes. He often annoys his wife by heat treating parts in her kitchen oven and rebuilding gearboxes on the living room coffee table.

Multiple Employee Promotions Set for KYB

Sales, Product and Marketing Teams See New Leadership

 

Greenwood, IN, April 24, 2023 – A number of internal promotions are scheduled to be announced by KYB Americas in the coming weeks, including two newly created positions. KYB Americas Corporation is committed to the growth and development of our associates, which includes promoting from within whenever possible.

Ryan Dickerman, KYB’s East Region Sales Manager, has been promoted to KYB Americas Corporation National Sales Manager. This newly created position will allow Ryan to utilize his background and experience to guide the KYB Sales Teams in the East, Central and West Regions.

Ryan has been with KYB for nearly 16 years. He started as a Customer Service Representative in 2007 and has advanced through the organization. His KYB resume includes roles as Customer Service Manager, Territory Sales Manager and the most recently position of Regional Sales Manager. In that role, Ryan oversaw sales efforts in 23 states and Puerto Rico and managed 6 territorial managers.

“Ryan is a bright and energetic person that is highly regarded by customers and has earned the respect of the entire KYB organization. We look forward to Ryan leading our traditional sales team in the USA market.” says Business Director Mike Fiorito.

Ryan will report to Paul Kratzer, Director of Sales for Canada & USA. “Ryan will do a great job managing our sales team.” According to Kratzer. “Ryan’s past roles at KYB have prepared him to take on the next level of responsibilities. His commitment to our customers and associates will lead him to success.”

“I’m thrilled to continue my career with KYB and I look forward to exploring all this new role has to offer.” Dickerman says. When he’s not playing soccer or keeping in shape through CrossFit, he’s attending his children’s sporting events or following the NY Mets.

A replacement for the position of East Region Sales Manager has not yet been named.

More announcements regarding KYB promotions will be forthcoming.

KYB and JAOS Take On Baja

Team JAOS enters a KYB Suspended Lexus LX600 in the 2022 SCORE International Baja 1000

Greenwood, IN, November 16, 2022 – KYB partner JAOS has teamed up with Lexus Japan to build an all-new Lexus LX600 to race in the 2022 SCORE International Baja 1000. The Canguro Racing entered Team JAOS LX600 race truck is using special KYB shock absorbers, developed and maintained by a team of KYB engineers who are present every step of the way.

JAOS driver, Tomonori Noto, explains “The Baja 1000 is an off-road race, mainly in rocky areas and deserts. So once it starts, it is non-stop until the finish.” His co-driver is KYB Corporation engineer Kazuhiro Tanaka. Tanaka joined the JAOS service crew in 2015 and became the co-driver in 2017. “Refueling, tire changing, and repair work for damaged parts all take place during the timed race” Noto says. “If you have trouble, you may not be able to finish within the time limit.”

Competing in events such as the Baja 1000 will provide invaluable information regarding the durability and performance of the KYB components used on the Team JAOS LX600. That information will be used to further the development of KYB JAOS product line, such as the newly released KYB JAOS Adjustable Lift Kits. These Suspension Lift Kits provide up to a 2” lift as well as 14 position damping. An adjustable dial at the base of each KYB manufactured shock and strut allows for 14 different rebound and compression settings. The 14 settings allow the user to manually adjust the suspension for vehicle loads, larger tires and wheels and varying road conditions.

The 2022 Baja 1000 is the first phase in a three-year plan for JAOS: the first year will be to observe the team’s performance, the second has an aim of finishing, with the third aiming for victory.

The Baja 1000 takes place November 15-22. Coverage of the Team JAOS LX600 can be found on kyb.com as well as official KYB social media accounts.

KYB Announces New Part Numbers Covering 21 Million Vehicles

KYB recently released 46 new part numbers covering late model cars, SUVs and pickups. This announcement includes 14 new Truck-Plus numbers; 1 Performance Truck Assembly, and 13 Assemblies with leveling kits designed to level the ride and appearance of light trucks.

KYB’s popular Strut-Plus line has also been expanded with new applications for Subarus, Toyotas, Hondas and Jeeps. “Customers look to us for late model import coverage and truck upgrade products, our team has been incredibly busy and has done a fantastic job, this is a great way to start 2020.” stated Aaron Shaffer, KYB’s Director of Product and Marketing.

For a complete list of new numbers released by KYB please contact your KYB Representative.

KYB Corporation is a $4.2 billion global hydraulics manufacturer with over 8,100 employees and sells its products in over 100 countries. The company is one of the world’s largest supplier of shocks and struts to vehicle manufacturers and has a full range of domestic and import shocks and struts for the aftermarket. For more information, log onto www.kyb.com.

KYB Kicks Off 2019 with New Numbers Covering 5 Million Vehicles

KYB recently released an additional 24 new numbers including several high performance monotube Gas-a-Just shocks and Strut-Plus complete assemblies. Also included in the release were Excel-G units for high-profile, late model applications such as the 2016-2018 Honda Civic and 2015-2018 Nissan Versa.

“These new numbers are in stock, and available immediately,” stated Aaron Shaffer, KYB’s Director of Marketing and Product. Shaffer went on to add, “We are increasingly focused on the demands of the market and our customers, we have a lot of things planned, and our customers will continue to see a steady diet of new numbers from us each month.”

For a complete list of new numbers released by KYB please contact your KYB Representative

KYB Corporation is a $4.2 billion global hydraulics manufacturer with over 8,100 employees and sells its products in over 100 countries. The company is one of the world’s largest supplier of shocks and struts to vehicle manufacturers and has a full range of domestic and import shocks and struts for the aftermarket.

KYB Americas Corp. Is Proud to Accept 2018 Import Vehicle Community Award for Best Overall Product

KYB Americas Corp. is excited to be named the recipient of the 2018 Best Overall Import Aftermarket Product Line with Strut-Plus. Director of Product and Marketing, Aaron Shaffer, had this to say, “It is an incredible honor to be recognized by an organization as knowledgeable and discerning as the Import Vehicle Community. This collection of people understand the importance of quality and know how critical the design and performance of a part is on today’s sophisticated vehicles.”

The KYB Strut-Plus is the best performing and most accurate replacement assembly from a trusted Original Equipment supplier. KYB struts are original equipment on half of the top ten selling vehicles in the U.S. and KYB uses research, development and engineering teams to create Strut-Plus. With attention focused on vehicle attributes, such as weight differences due to engine size and trim levels, plus side-specific applications, KYB Strut-Plus offers coverage for the most popular vehicles on the road.

KYB Corporation is a $4.2 billion global hydraulics manufacturer with over 8,100 employees and sells its products in over 100 countries. The company is one of the world’s largest supplier of shocks and struts to vehicle manufacturers and has a full range of domestic and import shocks and struts for the aftermarket.

KYB Americas Corp. Announces Expanded Truck/SUV Monotube Coverage

KYB Americas Corp. recently announced the expansion to its already robust coverage of the growing Truck, SUV and Crossover market.  The expansion includes growth in the twin-tube Excel-G and Strut-Plus lineups as well as additions to KYB’s popular monotube lines of Gas-a-Just and MonoMax

Inclusions to KYB’s already industry leading coverage for monotube shocks and struts include applications for half and three quarter ton domestic and import trucks and SUV applications as well.

“The growth of our coverage for the truck and SUV market in North America is vital to the overall success of the KYB brand”, KYB Product Manager Tim Oldiges commented “Listening to our customers is paramount to what we include in our product lineup when it comes to the truck market.  When we announce a coverage expansion, particularly in our Gas-a-Just or MonoMax lineups, it is our customers who have spoken up about the benefits of having an upgraded KYB unit to help the vehicle.  We feel strongly this recent expansion will provide increased sales for our distribution partners.”

KYB Corporation is a $4.2 billion global hydraulics manufacturer with over 8,100 employees and sells its products in over 100 countries. The company is one of the world’s largest supplier of shocks and struts to vehicle manufacturers and has a full range of domestic and import shocks and struts for the aftermarket. For more information, log onto www.kyb.com.

KYB Americas Corp. Launches New eCatalog

KYB Americas Corp. recently introduced a new shock & strut eCatalog that will make precise vehicle application lookups with ease. By utilizing advanced intuitive technology and newly applied data points, users will be able to zero in on correct product choices without the hassle of sifting through excessive vehicle variables.

In addition to more effective lookups, KYB’s new eCatalog also displays product purposes, key features and benefits, images and informative videos. Users will be able to make quick and accurate product selection choices. To help users identify correct strut choices, KYB is also adding 360 degree product images, standard tech bulletins, installation notes and product interchanges. The new KYB eCatalog is accessible form the home page at www.kyb.com

“We are always looking for ways to improve… and when it came to deciding on a direction for our new eCatalog, it was important to us that we create a more user-friendly way of navigating complicated part look-ups.”, KYB Technical Supervisor Troy Horn commented “We’re in an age that demands we better serve and better deliver information to all levels in the supply chain and the consumer.  We set out to create an eCatalog that would make it easy for anybody to look up our parts and be absolutely certain they have selected the part that will suit their needs.”

KYB Corporation is a $4.2 billion global hydraulics manufacturer with over 8,100 employees and sells its products in over 100 countries. The company is one of the world’s largest supplier of shocks and struts to vehicle manufacturers and has a full range of domestic and import shocks and struts for the aftermarket. For more information, log onto www.kyb.com.