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Getrag Transmission Manufacturing, a planned U.S. transmission-building operation in Indiana, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after Chrysler's pullout from the joint venture.

The factory, which is built but not equipped, was developed just to build dual-clutch transmissions for Chrysler. The automaker quit the joint venture last month when it rejected the terms of $300 million in financing that Getrag arranged with German banks for the plant's tooling.

In a statement today, Getrag Transmission said it sought Chapter 11 protection to ensure an orderly settlement of claims for the project. Getrag, whose parent is based in Germany, is suing Chrysler over the cancellation. Chrysler, in turn, is suing Getrag for failing to secure financing.

Chrysler had promoted the joint venture as a way to bring fuel-saving transmission technology to its North American vehicles.

A dual-clutch transmission saves fuel because it has two clutch sets inside the transmission, allowing for faster shifts. The gearbox also offers an automatic-shifting option.