Who would think that the two biggest competitors for the heart’s of American, neigh, world drivers would be pair up to create great new technologies and innovations to deliver to their customers? When you are passionate about building the best though, you can put your competitive streak aside and become allies with the most unlikely sources though and that is exactly what Ford and General Motors are working on accomplishing as they team up to develop 9 and 10 speed gearboxes to go into new vehicles.
The agreement between General Motors and Ford is not set in stone at this point, but agreements are underway and we would be willing to bet there are complete teams of the legal departments on both sides going through every dotted “I” and crossed “T” like a scientist would put a newly found atom under the microscope.
If the agreements pull through which at this point looks highly promising the Detroit’s biggest heavyweights will be working together on some of the most aggressive transmission projects to date. Not only will the partnership make it more financially feasible for both of the automakers, it will combine their engineering and design to make use of each company’s strong suits.
Specifically, General Motors piece of the puzzle will be to lead the development of a nine speed cogswapper to be used in front wheel drive applications. Ford will take the lead in developing a ten speed transmission that will be used for rear wheel drive vehicles, namely trucks and performance models.
Seriously though, Detroit’s two heavyweights, companies that have battled each other since the dawn of the automobile (or close, anyway) are in discussions about working jointly on some very aggressive new transmission projects in the name lessening development costs for each. It’s not the first time the two automakers have teamed up on transmissions, hyperbole to the contrary, either.
This isn’t the first time that General Motors and Ford have partnered to push the innovation in automobile technology. Back in 2002 they were in alliance with the six speed automatic for four wheel drive vehicles. The fruit of that labor continues today in the likes of the Ford Fusion, Ford Escape and the Chevrolet Malibu and Chevy Cruze.
Source Automotive News