To meet the increasing demand for automatic gearboxes, Groupe PSA has entered into a license agreement with Aisin AW in order to produce the EAT6 gearbox at Valenciennes in  France. Until now, this gearbox was manufactured by Aisin and imported from Japan.

Groupe PSA is going to invest in the new machining and assembly plant at Valenciennes to produce 6-speed automatic gearboxes, which equip the Peugeot, Citroën, and DS flagship models, as well as the Opel and Vauxhall models produced on the Group's platforms. The investment made in Valenciennes is part of PSA's strategy of doubling the sales volume of models equipped with automatic gearboxes. Productions are going to start from 2020 onwards.

Groupe PSA's Valenciennes production plant and the technological leadership of Aisin AW will ensure the highest level of quality and performance of these 6-speed (EAT6) automatic gearboxes. The estimated production capacity is 300,000 automatic gearboxes per year.