New needs, more speeds 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  In March, luxury maker Land Rover proudly told an audience at the Geneva auto show that it would soon bring to market the industry's first nine-speed transmission. One month later, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors announced that they would jointly develop 10-speeds. Can 12-speeds really be that far behind? And why not a 24-speed?... Read More »
Jeep dilemma: Keep SUV guts, add comfort 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 15, 2013  With the help of key suppliers -- ZF Friedrichshafen and American Axle & Manufacturing -- that developed two major innovations, the Cherokee is Jeep's best hope to compete with today's Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.... Read More »
NEW PRODUCT Satellites control new Rolls' gearshiftsMarch 21, 2013 06:01 CET  The Rolls-Royce Wraith, a fastback that debuts in the final quarter of 2013, will use satellite data that detect changing road conditions to help shift its ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.... Read More »
Satellites control new Rolls' gearshifts 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 18, 2013  The Rolls-Royce Wraith, a fastback that debuts this fall, will use satellite data that detect changing road conditions to help shift its ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.... Read More »
ZF to reduce size of boardFeb. 5, 2013 06:01 CET  German supplier ZF Friedrichshafen plans to streamline its leadership this year by reducing its management board to six members from eight and giving the remaining executives wider responsibilities.... Read More »
GM in talks to sell French factory to ZF Friedrichshafen, PunchNov. 26, 2012 17:51 CET  General Motors is in talks to sell its vehicle-transmission factory in Strasbourg, France, to ZF Friedrichshafen and Punch International.... Read More »
GM in talks to sell French factory to ZF Friedrichshafen, Punch 11:51 am U.S. ET | Nov. 26, 2012  General Motors is in talks to sell its vehicle-transmission factory in Strasbourg, France, to ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Punch International NV.... Read More »
ZF CEO thinks 9 speeds is enoughNov. 6, 2012 12:41 CET  Nine-speed transmissions might have reached the “natural limit” because going beyond that number of gears adds weight and complexity that cannot be offset by gains in fuel efficiency, ZF Friedrichshafen CEO Stefan Sommer said.... Read More »
Getting in gear gets interesting 12:01 am U.S. ET | Sept. 10, 2012  Real estate is all about location, location, location, and now the same holds true for the automatic transmission shifter. Automotive interior designers are choosing new locations and styles for the shifter, which for decades has been mainly in the center console.... Read More »
THE SUPPLIER SPEAKS: JULIO CASPARI, ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN Demand increases for ZF's fuel-efficient transmissions 12:01 am U.S. ET | July 16, 2012  With Chrysler Group adopting eight- and nine-speed transmissions by ZF Friedrichshafen AG for mass-market models, the German supplier is positioned for big sales gains. Julio Caspari, 61, president of ZF's North American operations, spelled out his company's growth plans... Read More »
PRODUCTION LINE ZF exec: Race to add tranny gears loses momentum 12:01 am U.S. ET | July 16, 2012 The auto industry's race to add gears to automatic transmissions is running out of steam, says a senior executive at ZF Friedrichshafen AG.... Read More »
Rush to add gears to trannys is ending, ZF says 12:01 am U.S. ET | July 10, 2012  The auto industry's race to add gears to automatic transmissions is running out of steam. After ZF introduced its eight- and nine-speed transmissions, a press report said that Hyundai Motor Group was developing a 10-speed gearbox. Julio Caspari, president of ZF's North American operations, says that additional gears may fail to improve fuel efficiency enough to justify the cost.... Read More »
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