Business is picking up in the e-mobility segment for Franconian automotive supplier Schaeffler. The division, which carries the future hopes of the Herzogenaurach-based family business, was the only business unit to increase revenue in the first quarter while narrowing its losses, Schaeffler announced on Tuesday. On a currency-adjusted basis, revenue growth in this field stood at six percent, while the loss before interest, taxes (EBIT), and special items decreased by 20 percent to 215 million euros due to expanding operations. Demand for electric cars surged in March amid rising gasoline prices in Europe. Schaeffler outperformed the market, CEO Klaus Rosenfeld told the Reuters news agency.

This stabilized group revenue, which rose by one percent on a currency-adjusted basis to 5.76 billion euros. EBIT before special items climbed to 285 million euros (2025: 276 million). The operating margin (EBIT margin before special items) thus improved to 5.0 percent (4.7 percent). This is a step in the right direction, Rosenfeld said. 'But I still see some elements that we can optimize.' Bottom-line profit amounted to 60 million euros (83 million).

On the stock market, Schaeffler shares rose by 6.6 percent to 8.40 euros. A study by investment bank Jefferies stated that Schaeffler is well-positioned to handle the uncertainty in the coming months.

In contrast, revenue and operating results shrank slightly in the traditional transmission and bodywork divisions, as well as in rolling bearings and industry. 'The Schaeffler Group has made a good start to 2026 despite a continued difficult political and economic environment,' Rosenfeld said. Despite the Iran war, Schaeffler is sticking to its forecasts: revenue of 22.5 to 24.5 billion euros - which would be four percent above or below the previous year's level on a currency-adjusted basis. The direct impact of the Middle East conflict is limited and does not change the projections, the CEO said. The EBIT margin before special items is expected to be between 3.5 and 5.5 percent.

(Report by Alexander Hübner and Amir Orusov; edited by Ralf Banser. For inquiries, please contact our editorial office at berlin.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for politics and economy) or frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for companies and markets).)