Independent garages across the UK are already seeing how fast vehicle technology is moving, and a new innovation from FORVIA HELLA underlines just how much change is on the horizon.
The global automotive supplier has launched its intelligent Power Distribution Module (iPDM) into series production with a premium manufacturer – a world first.
The iPDM is designed to provide a fail-operational power supply, meaning critical functions such as steering, braking and driver assistance can remain operational even if part of the system fails.
This kind of reliability is a crucial building block for highly automated and, eventually, autonomous driving.
For garages, the key takeaway is that traditional fuses are on the way out.
The iPDM uses new eFuses (electronic fuses), which don’t melt and require replacement like conventional fuses. Instead, they are fully electronic, maintenance-free, and can reset themselves.
That means: No more replacing blown fuses in accessible fuse boxes, more complex electronic systems hidden deeper in vehicles, and reduced wiring harness weight (up to 25% lighter), which helps efficiency but also changes repair dynamics.
For technicians, it signals another step toward vehicles where diagnostics and software know-how are as important as mechanical skills.
Alongside iPDM, FORVIA HELLA is also developing ‘Zone Controllers’, which manage energy distribution and data flow within different parts of the car. These controllers collect information from sensors, process it, and activate systems like lighting, wipers or windows.
Together, iPDM and Zone Controllers are part of a move toward software-defined vehicles – cars where much of the functionality is governed by code rather than hardware. This shift will change how garages approach both fault-finding and repairs.
The Bigger Picture
The development work behind these technologies is huge. FORVIA HELLA has invested heavily, with development sites in Germany, Romania and India, and a production facility in Romania. The total value of iPDM and Zone Controller projects already exceeds €1 billion.
For independent garages, the key is not the size of the deal, but the signal it sends: vehicle power management and safety systems are becoming smarter, more integrated, and less reliant on traditional mechanical parts.
The takeaway: expect fewer fuse replacements, more diagnostics, and a growing need to stay on top of emerging electronic systems.
