Ford, GM To Co-Develop 6-Speed Transmissions.

General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., said they will team up in a unique partnership to develop a new six-speed automatic transmission. The two companies said the high-volume, front-wheel-drive transmission will offer an estimated 4 percent to 8 percent improved fuel economy over traditional four-speed transmissions in front-wheel-drive cars.

Ford and GM have signed an initial agreement and said they expect to finalize the deal this winter, they said. Both automakers have been working independently on six-speed transmissions.

The two automakers now offer four-speed transmissions in their front-wheel-drive cars. The extra gears will provide smoother driving as well as better fuel efficiency.

"Ford and GM may be traditional competitors, but we share common goals of satisfying customers, improving fuel economy and reducing costs," said Thomas G. Stephens, group vice president for GM Powertrain. "We believe partnering together on this program will provide significant benefits to our companies and our customers."

Under a memorandum of understanding, Ford and GM have agreed to cooperate on designing, engineering and testing the new transmission as well as working with suppliers to develop and buy components. The companies will assemble the transmissions at their respective manufacturing plants.

"We'll each produce transmissions that are distinct in feel and performance," said David T. Szczupak, Ford's vice president of powertrain operations. "That's because the transmissions will be mated to different engines and fitted to different vehicles."

Ford spokesman Joe Koenig said attorneys for both automakers had studied federal regulations and "we feel we're not going to have any antitrust issues." The companies said the new transmission is expected to be available "beginning in mid-to-late decade" for front-wheel-drive cars and sport utility vehicles.

Partnerships among automakers are not unique. For example, GM works with Isuzu on designing and building diesel engines, and DaimlerChrysler AG, Hyundai Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said in May they were forming a joint venture to develop a family of in-line four-cylinder gasoline engines.

Print Get the Mag Weekly Updates