DaimlerChrysler (DC) will invest $455 million in its Indiana Transmission Plant in Kokomo,
Indiana, to produce a Mercedes-Benz-developed transmission. DC will build the Mercedes-Benz
W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission for use in future Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep
products that are popular with trailerists. Production is slated to begin in 2004. The
five-speed rear-wheel-drive transmission will be an upgrade from the current four-speed
automatics in these models. Currently built in Germany, the W5A580 is used in the
Mercedes-Benz S-, E-, C- and M-Class vehicles. This is the first example of component
sharing between Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz since the merger with Daimler-Benz in 1998.
Dodges and Jeeps to Get New Transmissions
Originally Published in Trailer Life Magazine
Please login or register to view archived articles.
Do not have an account? Create New Account