More is better, and 8-speed automatic transmissions are now under development at GM.
Toledo Transmission Operations has now made the 2 millionth six-speed automatic transmission for General Motors rear-wheel-drive vehicles. The milestone comes 21 months after it built the 1 millionth six-speed. The so-called RWD6 transmission is built for the Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro, Silverado HD, Tahoe, Suburban and Express, GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Savana and Cadillac Escalade.
Other automakers have 8-speed transmissions in production, and 9-speed automatics are under development. The more speeds a transmission has, the more fuel efficient the powertrain. GM has said that future Toledo production plans include a $322 million investment to produce the next generation of fuel efficient GF6 Gen3 and RWD eight-speed transmissions.
“The entire workforce exhibits a sense of ownership and pride in the transmissions they build,” said Donald Morand of GM. “This continued dedication will lead us into our next big launch – the eight-speed – and the shared vision of continued improvement will make us successful.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
