Ford and General Motors have announced they will jointly develop and market a new six-speed
automatic transmission. The transmission, originally a GM design that engineers from both
companies will develop, is intended to improve fuel economy of V-6 and V-8 powered vehicles
by between 4 percent and 8 percent, compared with the four-speed transmissions the
companies build today.
According to Ford and GM, only the base transmission design will be
common. Both companies will have drivetrains that are distinct since the transmissions will
be mated to different engines, and the vehicle programs will have unique performance
dynamics and calibration.
