Since 1907, the bearing expertise of SKF Vertevo, formerly a part of SKF, has supported the automotive industry. By solving the critical challenges of rotation at the wheel end and in the powertrain, we have helped vehicle manufacturers build lighter, more efficient, more reliable and, increasingly, electrified vehicles. Explore our history through a few chosen milestones below.
SKF was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, following Sven Wingquist’s invention of the double-row self-aligning ball bearing. This technology would become fundamental to reliable vehicle motion.
As automotive production expanded, demand for reliable bearings surged. SKF scaled internationally and became a key supplier to the growing vehicle industry.
AB Volvo, then an SKF subsidiary, built a trial series of cars in 1926 and launched the first production Volvo, the ÖV 4, in 1927. Volvo became independent of SKF in 1935.
In 1936, SKF developed a predecessor to today’s hub bearing units.
The expertise of SKF became increasingly sought after in motorsport. In 1947, SKF began its technical collaboration with Scuderia Ferrari, bringing bearing technology into one of automotive engineering’s most demanding environments.
SKF introduced HBU1, its first-generation hub bearing unit for small and medium-sized vehicles, helping replace separate wheel-bearing components with a pre-adjusted, integrated solution.
HBU2 advanced wheel end integration through a more compact design, improving manufacturing efficiency and supporting lighter vehicle architectures.
In 1977 SKF introduced HBU3, reducing weight, noise, vibration and assembly time through further integration.
In 1987, SKF launched the Truck Hub Unit, bringing the same principles of pre-adjustment, sealing and reliability to commercial vehicles.
Hub bearing unit production was expanded globally. The company strengthened its position as a global wheel end partner for commercial vehicle manufacturers.
SKF expanded its expertise into electric mobility, developing bearing and insulation solutions designed to meet the unique challenges of electric drivetrains.
SKF introduced a lighter and more compact second-generation Truck Hub Unit for the commercial vehicle market in China, designed to support efficiency, serviceability and uptime.
In response to electrification, SKF introduced its Conductive brush ring for use with hybrid ceramic bearings in high-performance EV powertrains, addressing parasitic currents that can damage bearings and other rotating components.
SKF presented a prototype wood-derived SiC ceramic plain-bearing bushing at the Professional Motorsport World Expo in Cologne. The innovation received the PMW Award for “Chassis Technology of the Year – Mechanical.”
SKF Automotive becomes SKF Vertevo: an independent automotive pure-play focused on co-driving the future of mobility.
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