Global component and technology supplier ZF today announced that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has nominated the company as its global transmission supplier for rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles with front-longitudinal drive configuration. ZF will then supply the new 8-speed automatic transmission, which also makes it the second largest single order in the company's history.
The company says the latest version of its 8-speed transmission has been further optimised and features an integrated electric drive for hybrid variants.
"We are pleased being nominated as global transmission supplier by FCA. This is our second major order for the new 8HP and it confirms our strategy to focus on plug-in hybrids as an every-day solution and to develop attractive products in these areas,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider, CEO, ZF.
The lead production facility for the new (and fourth) transmission generation will start series production in 2022 at ZF’s plant in Saarbruecken. In future, the company also plans to start production of the technology at other locations including in USA and China.
The new 8-speed automatic transmission can be installed in almost all vehicle segments with a front-longitudinal drive configuration. A technical innovation of the upgraded transmission is the integration of the electric drive, which ZF says supports its customers in achieving their CO2 reduction goals. The modular transmission concept allows manufacturers to easily change from one transmission variant to another which gives them the flexibility to react to market requirements.
ZF says the nomination by FCA also highlights the importance of its global production network. Only three months ago, ZF signed a first contract for the delivery of the latest-generation 8HP to BMW which then marked the largest single order in ZF’s history.
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