Working Together???
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From: Adrian, Mi U.S.A.
Working Together???
So what do you all think about this. I couldn't post the link as it was on a Ford site. I'd like to see what you folks think ,as I'm not sure how I feel about this. Good points and bad in all things done I guess.
Kevin
GM & FORD OFFICIALLY SIGN AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP ALL-NEW FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSMISSION
DETROIT, Feb. 14, 2003 – Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corp., the world’s two largest automakers, today announced they have signed an agreement to develop a high-volume, front-wheel-drive, 6-speed automatic transmission with improved fuel economy.
The two companies announced a preliminary agreement in October 2002 to bring this new transmission to market, and signed a definitive agreement on Feb. 7, 2003.
The new 6-speed transmission is expected to offer approximately a 4 percent improvement in fuel economy over traditional 4-speed automatic transmissions available in today’s front-wheel-drive cars.
Under the definitive agreement signed last week, Ford and GM agreed to:
Share common design, engineering and testing of the new transmission;
Jointly work with suppliers to develop and purchase components;
Assemble their own transmissions at their respective manufacturing plants.
The new transmission will be available beginning in mid-to-late decade on front-wheel-drive cars and sport-utility vehicles.
“This world-class 6-speed transmission has a simple but elegant design that offers the customer enhanced performance at a very competitive cost,” said Tom Stephens, GM Powertrain group vice president. “In addition, this agreement showcases the benefits of collaborating with other companies to help reduce development costs for a major powertrain component.”
“This agreement has many potential benefits for both companies, our shareholders and our customers,” said Dave Szczupak, vice president, Ford Powertrain Operations. “New powertrains require high development costs, and the higher volumes realized through this deal will enable us to reduce costs by realizing economies of scale. At the same time, this new transmission will help us improve overall vehicle fuel economy.”
Under the arrangement, each company is responsible for integrating the transmission into its own vehicles. Only the base transmission design will be common. Each company will have powertrains that are distinct in feel and performance since the transmissions will be mated to different engines, and the respective vehicle programs will have unique performance dynamics and calibration.
The design being pursued is a new, transmission architecture with a wider gear ratio span to improve fuel economy. Featuring a compact design, the new 6-speed also will be capable of higher torque capacity when compared to most existing front-wheel-drive transmissions such as 4-speed automatics.
About GM:
General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. GM cars and trucks are sold under the following brands: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab, Opel, Vauxhall and Holden. GM parts and accessories are marketed under the GM, GM Goodwrench and ACDelco brands through GM Service and Parts Operations. More information on GM can be found at http://www.gm.com.
About Ford:
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is the world's second largest automaker with approximately 350,000 employees, and operating in more than 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Hertz and Quality Care. The company's world headquarters is in Dearborn, Mich. Ford Motor Company will officially observe its 100th anniversary June 16, 2003. Additional information can be found on the company's Web site at www.ford.com.
Kevin
GM & FORD OFFICIALLY SIGN AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP ALL-NEW FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSMISSION
DETROIT, Feb. 14, 2003 – Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corp., the world’s two largest automakers, today announced they have signed an agreement to develop a high-volume, front-wheel-drive, 6-speed automatic transmission with improved fuel economy.
The two companies announced a preliminary agreement in October 2002 to bring this new transmission to market, and signed a definitive agreement on Feb. 7, 2003.
The new 6-speed transmission is expected to offer approximately a 4 percent improvement in fuel economy over traditional 4-speed automatic transmissions available in today’s front-wheel-drive cars.
Under the definitive agreement signed last week, Ford and GM agreed to:
Share common design, engineering and testing of the new transmission;
Jointly work with suppliers to develop and purchase components;
Assemble their own transmissions at their respective manufacturing plants.
The new transmission will be available beginning in mid-to-late decade on front-wheel-drive cars and sport-utility vehicles.
“This world-class 6-speed transmission has a simple but elegant design that offers the customer enhanced performance at a very competitive cost,” said Tom Stephens, GM Powertrain group vice president. “In addition, this agreement showcases the benefits of collaborating with other companies to help reduce development costs for a major powertrain component.”
“This agreement has many potential benefits for both companies, our shareholders and our customers,” said Dave Szczupak, vice president, Ford Powertrain Operations. “New powertrains require high development costs, and the higher volumes realized through this deal will enable us to reduce costs by realizing economies of scale. At the same time, this new transmission will help us improve overall vehicle fuel economy.”
Under the arrangement, each company is responsible for integrating the transmission into its own vehicles. Only the base transmission design will be common. Each company will have powertrains that are distinct in feel and performance since the transmissions will be mated to different engines, and the respective vehicle programs will have unique performance dynamics and calibration.
The design being pursued is a new, transmission architecture with a wider gear ratio span to improve fuel economy. Featuring a compact design, the new 6-speed also will be capable of higher torque capacity when compared to most existing front-wheel-drive transmissions such as 4-speed automatics.
About GM:
General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. GM cars and trucks are sold under the following brands: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab, Opel, Vauxhall and Holden. GM parts and accessories are marketed under the GM, GM Goodwrench and ACDelco brands through GM Service and Parts Operations. More information on GM can be found at http://www.gm.com.
About Ford:
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is the world's second largest automaker with approximately 350,000 employees, and operating in more than 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Hertz and Quality Care. The company's world headquarters is in Dearborn, Mich. Ford Motor Company will officially observe its 100th anniversary June 16, 2003. Additional information can be found on the company's Web site at www.ford.com.
Elder User
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Working Together???
I would love to drop a 6 speed into the Saturn.
Well, I dunno what to think...sometimes competitors can collaborate and make something good for the consumer...I just wonder about fundamental differences in engineering that will be encountered between the two companies. They may end up quarrelling as much as anything, though they should be more professional than that. If you take into consideration some of the players in the game though, the end product might just kick a$$; engineers from Volvo, Saab, Mazda, Jaguar and Aston, not to mention Ford and Chevy...hmmm.
We'll see what happens.
BDV
Well, I dunno what to think...sometimes competitors can collaborate and make something good for the consumer...I just wonder about fundamental differences in engineering that will be encountered between the two companies. They may end up quarrelling as much as anything, though they should be more professional than that. If you take into consideration some of the players in the game though, the end product might just kick a$$; engineers from Volvo, Saab, Mazda, Jaguar and Aston, not to mention Ford and Chevy...hmmm.
We'll see what happens.
BDV
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Working Together???
This sounds like a small scale venture similar to the one GM and Toyota were involved in some years back. Just substitute Toyota in place of Ford and you would have the same grandiose press release as back then.
The GM/Toyota venture failed, again, because of the disparate business cultures. GM so wants to be as quick and nimble as the Toyotas and Fords of the world, but their size and bureaucratic management system foils all such attempts. I expect this one will end in a smiliar manner.
The GM/Toyota venture failed, again, because of the disparate business cultures. GM so wants to be as quick and nimble as the Toyotas and Fords of the world, but their size and bureaucratic management system foils all such attempts. I expect this one will end in a smiliar manner.
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