German transmission specialist Getrag is teaming with Chinese vehicle manufacturer Dongfeng Motor Group to set up an equal-parts joint venture in Dongfeng’s home market. The new company, to be called Dongfeng Getrag Transmission, will develop and produce transmissions for Dongfeng’s passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
The partners will establish a new transmission engineering and production facility in China, which is scheduled to begin operations in late 2015. The venture’s first product will be an all new six-speed dual clutch transmission, the 6DCT150, for the Chinese market. The 6DCT150 is designed for front-transverse installation in the city car and compact vehicle segments. Getrag is one of the top dual clutch transmission suppliers in the world. It recently marked production of the 1 millionth unit of its 6DCT250 dual clutch transmission.
Dongfeng claims to be the second largest passenger car manufacturer in China. This new venture is geared at helping it expand its market presence through a more fuel efficient offering.
“This joint venture cooperation of Dongfeng and Getrag is an important action for Dongfeng to pool our global resources, to speed up the own-brand powertrain platform and further enhance our first-class independent innovation ability … This partnership will surely provide an important drive and support to Dongfeng’s own-brand business,” stated Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Dongfeng Motor Group Chairman Xu Ping.
Getrag claims the title of the world’s largest independent system suppliers for transmissions for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. It has said the new alliance will help it expand business in China. Speaking at the signing ceremony for the new venture, Getrag Chief Executive Mihir Kotecha commented: “We are happy and proud to establish a strategic alliance with Dongfeng. It further strengthens our business in Asia and creates exciting new possibilities for the future. In addition, our successful Asian business will generate synergies, know-how and economies of scale also improving the competitiveness of our European operations.”
