Ford is the second major automaker to commit to dual-clutch transmissions, writes Automotive News Europe. By joining Volkswagen group, Ford gives the technology momentum in Europe’s hot transmission competition that involves five different solutions.
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Ford and transmission partner Getrag of Germany will make 200,000 dual-clutch transmissions a year at a Getrag-Ford factory in Kechnec, Slovakia, predicts Chris Guile, an analyst at CSM Worldwide in London.
A Getrag official said the company would show both a Getrag-Ford dual-clutch system and a separate Getrag dual-clutch unit at the Frankfurt IAA next week. He declined to give further details. A Ford source only would say that Ford would show a “transmission surprise” at the show.
Construction on the partners’ joint-venture plant began in July. Production of dual-clutch transmissions for cars will begin in mid-2007, Getrag spokesman Axel Guggenberger said.
Ford and Getrag officials declined to comment which models might get the transmissions. CSM’s Guile expects them to be on the Ford Mondeo and Galaxy and on most Volvos, from the C30 to the V70 or even the XC90.
Long term, CSM forecasts big growth for dual-clutch technology in greater Europe – to 6.5 percent of the forecast 23 million cars and light commercial vehicles produced by 2011. That compares to 0.8 percent of the 19.9 million units built in greater Europe last year. German transmission supplier ZF Friedrichshafen makes a similar forecast.
Automotive News Europe
