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Ford, GM Team Up on Transmissions

Design News -- General Motors and Ford Motor Co. are preparing to jointly develop nine- and 10-speed vehicle transmissions to help them meet future fuel economy standards. Although neither has yet made a formal announcement, the two automotive giants have signed a memorandum of understanding that would enable them to work cooperatively on transmissions that might be ready for production as early as 2015.

"We think they will be phased in from 2015 to 2017 across Ford's and GM's product lineups," Mike Omotoso, senior manager of global powertrain for LMC Automotive US Inc., said in an interview.

The joint development effort would be a big step forward for both companies, neither of which currently offers more than six speeds in a production vehicle.

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Submitted Oct 13, 2012 By: doeslayersr
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Author Topic: Ford, GM Team Up on Transmissions Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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doctorindyj
Champion Author Santa Fe

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Message Posted: Oct 15, 2012 7:44:16 AM

Hope they look at the lessons learned from Apple and Microsoft's collaborations in the 80's and 90's. That's usually what happens when two giants collaborate on patentable technologies. We'll see.
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bston
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 2:38:03 PM

At times, I think we'd be better off with 10-speed bicycles.
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car253
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 7:41:10 AM

Good move, they worked together on the six speed transmissions.
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MAC48
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 1:47:35 AM

The introduction of nine-speed and 10-speed vehicle transmissions across all of the vehicles made by Ford and GM makes sense since it will result in around a 10% improvement in fuel mileage. If the to be developed nine-speed and 10-speed vehicle transmissions are as reliable as the four, five and six speed transmissions we are familiar with, then even higher speed transmissions will be welcome assuming that the cost of the new higher speed transmissions are not prohibitive when compared to our current transmissions.
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alterman156
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 10:35:05 PM

I wouldn't be surprised that other automakers will jointly develop new transmissions.
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Amplion
Champion Author Oregon

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 10:25:03 PM

So GM is going to teach FORD how to build transmissions, good idea - long needed.

In return, FORD should teach GM how to build an engine !!!!!

Seems to me the BEST IDEA would be to buy a DODGE CHALLENGER !!!
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goldrose1
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:54:51 PM

They have to increase efficiency to raise mpg our government is requiring.
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ShadowACE
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:40:19 PM

Blue Cruzer said: "Nine and ten speed transmissions?"

Certainly. They already have seven and eight speeds in some of the new cars. Big trucks have had 10, 13, 18 and more speed transmissions for some time. The objective is to keep the engine in the sweet part of its power band (RPM range) to maximize efficiency. With fewer speeds (gear ranges) in the transmission you're going to pass through that optimum RPM band before you're able to shift up to the next gear, or you'll shift too soon and your RPM will drop below the optimum range and you'll lose power and may need to shift back down to the lower gear, especially on a hill. More gears (speeds) in the transmission allow you to keep the engine RPM in its optimum range. You need to shift more times but you're always in the sweet part of the RPM range for your engine to perform at its best.

If you've ever followed a BIG truck with a HEAVY load up a hill from a stop you've probably noticed that it only went 10 or 15 yards between shifts for the first five or six gears. It can be a lot of work for the truck driver with a manual 12 or 18-speed transmission, but it's a piece of cake for the person driving the BMW with their 7-speed or the Chrysler/Dodge with their 8-speed automatic.
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Dreamer4one5
Sophomore Author Amarillo

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:36:20 PM

More tranny issues in the future? Maybe I will just drive a KW. . .
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diesel8888
Champion Author Salt Lake City

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:31:51 PM

Ok
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Badjef
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:25:34 PM

I see a time when there will be virtually unlimited "gears" for a transmission.
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TheSicilian
Champion Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:25:27 PM

work together
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malfrog1
Champion Author South Bend

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:22:26 PM

maybe it will happen
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Dragnet
Champion Author Arizona

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:22:08 PM

Ancient News
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crreed1
Champion Author West Virginia

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:21:48 PM

old news
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gumbyrex
Champion Author Fresno

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:21:42 PM

Isn't this a form of collusion?
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Zonk
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:21:27 PM

I can't believe Ford would sign-up with a loser.
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tatarg
Rookie Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:21:22 PM

Tell this to jeep too..... Brand new srt8 s ,,5 speed??
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VetteFan
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:19:54 PM

Great.
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1fulltank
Champion Author Buffalo

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:19:21 PM

Old news. New, VERY expensive piece of equipment to repair or replace.
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boatfloyd
Champion Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:18:44 PM

Go Ford.
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Alfied
Champion Author Riverside

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:17:29 PM

Oh! My!
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jwalkerh
Champion Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:17:22 PM

Anything for improved gas milage, especially with the current gas prices...
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arb0526
Champion Author Greensboro

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:16:36 PM

So will the cars be known as General Fords?
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rollercoaster
All-Star Author Hartford

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:16:21 PM

great can't wait !!!!
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NoGas714
All-Star Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:16:02 PM

American teamwork. I like it.

Just remember, it's us against the world.
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Badmoon
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:15:20 PM

Old news.
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sljbc475
Champion Author Tucson

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:15:15 PM

Improvements needed by all automobile makers.
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Quick68
Champion Author Columbus

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:14:55 PM

Ford made the transmissions for the 1965 Pontiac. This is nothing new.
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camel1
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:14:27 PM

illegal collusion?
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obimerrill
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:14:26 PM

Good.
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sydb7
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:14:11 PM

Ok.
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nurdco
Champion Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:13:36 PM

They already use CVT
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hpow
Rookie Author Vancouver

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:11:26 PM

fine
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Discovery02
Champion Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:10:54 PM

Innovation due to government regulation. Who woulda thunk it?
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Blue_Cruzer
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:10:32 PM

Nine and ten speed transmissions?
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pastorpaulcg
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:09:34 PM

Okay
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farn1958
All-Star Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:09:23 PM

interesting
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Wanda127
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:08:55 PM

This sounds like it might be a good thing.
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stpatrickbday
Champion Author Albuquerque

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:08:55 PM

Just another excuse to raise gas prices.
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Bonito
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:07:53 PM

Good Bed Brothers???? They never have been!
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7SPEEDY7
Champion Author Flint

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:06:53 PM

Interesting.....
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rahcat
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:05:38 PM

Good idea as long as no government subsidies.
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Rageagainsttm
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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:03:26 PM

nice
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PrinceLH
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:02:21 PM

Merger?
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NedW
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 9:01:39 PM

Oh, wow! I used to make transmissions for both.
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goldrose1
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 8:57:49 PM

synergy!
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ricoblanco
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 8:56:20 PM

ok
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LCSTEELERBOB
Champion Author Gary

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 8:54:29 PM

might be good
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vibdata
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 8:54:08 PM

Somebody better help out with transmissions. Mercury Sable transmission bit it after 24,000 miles and Ford would NOT pay for it. Said car was "too old." Funny that.
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