Nexteer, a motion control technology company, has announced its rear-wheel steering (RWS) system. The company claims it enhances the driving experience, particularly when steering long-wheelbase, heavier vehicles such as trucks and SUVs.

Nexteer’s rear-wheel steering system allows the rear wheels to turn up to 12 degrees, in sync with the front wheels.

Remember Quadrasteer?

Remember the optional Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system that was available on GM trucks and SUVs? Nexteer played a key role in its development and states that it leveraged its “legacy as a pioneer of RWS-for-mass-production in the early 2000s for GM truck applications (Quadrasteer)” during the development of its new RWS system.

Nexteer’s new system is engineered to be cost-effective, lightweight, durable, and seamlessly integrable. The company claims the driving benefits include enhanced maneuverability, stability, and safety.

How The Nexteer Rear-Wheel Steering Works

Nexteer’s RWS enables the rear wheels to turn up to 12 degrees in sync with the front wheels. This coordination enhances handling performance at both low and high speeds.

RWS reduces a vehicle’s turning radius, making maneuvers such as parking in tight spaces, parallel parking, backing up, and hitching a trailer easier. Additionally, RWS enhances the vehicle’s agility during sharp cornering and improves overall performance in urban driving conditions.

At higher speeds, RWS boosts chassis responsiveness, vehicle stability, and safety by improving control during sudden lane changes or evasive maneuvers. Furthermore, it enhances driver comfort and reduces fatigue, particularly when towing or trailering.

Nexteer was involved in designing Quadrasteer, the optional four-wheel steer system that GM offered on some of its trucks and SUVs in the early 2000s. This photo was taken when Quadrasteer-equipped vehicles were available for test drives at a 4-Wheel Jamboree in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Nexteer’s Approach To Rear-Wheel Steering

Nexteer states that the cost-effectiveness and lightweight design of its RWS allow OEMs to integrate the system into vehicle platforms with minimal impact on fuel efficiency. Additionally, the system integrates with the company’s rack-assist electric power steering systems and adapts easily across vehicle types, offering the potential to streamline rear axle designs.

The company also mentions that RWS can serve as an additional redundancy layer in steer-by-wire vehicles, thus meeting stringent safety requirements. Furthermore, the benefits of RWS include its anti-rotation design, which reduces friction, improves strength, and ensures long-term reliability.

RWS Addresses The Growing Demand For Trucks And SUVs

Robin Milavec, President, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and Executive Board Director, Nexteer Automotive, elaborated on the benefits of the company’s RWS. He says, “Nexteer’s approach to rear-wheel steering delivers a cost-effective, lightweight and easy-to-integrate solution for OEMs so they can differentiate their drivers’ experiences with enhanced maneuverability, stability and comfort across all vehicle types. RWS addresses a convergence of many trends including the growing demand for trucks and SUVs, varying shifts to EVs and growing cities with challenges of urban driving. We’re always anticipating market needs and innovating the next motion control solution to make future mobility safer, greener and more exciting.”

Nexteer has more innovations in store for rear-wheel steering. Milavec mentioned that while the team is thrilled to announce the current RWS, they are already working on next-generation enhancements and eagerly anticipate sharing further updates. Nexteer will officially showcase RWS at its exhibit during the 2025 Auto Shanghai event, scheduled for April 23–May 2, 2025.

About Nexteer Automotive

Nexteer’s range of products and technologies includes electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire systems, steering columns, intermediate shafts, driveline systems, and software solutions. The company serves over 60 global customers, including major automakers such as BMW, Ford, GM, Stellantis, Toyota, and VW. Additionally, Nexteer has established partnerships with automakers in India and China. In fact, the company secured two RWS contracts with a leading Chinese OEM and expects to begin production in 2026. For more information about Nexteer, visit the company’s website.

The Bottom Line

Will your next new 4×4 have optional, or standard, rear-wheel steering? The press release from Nexteer didn’t specify which, if any, 4×4 trucks and SUVs could integrate RWS, so time will tell.