BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – 16 JULY 2007 – WABCO, one of the leading providers of electronic braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems to the global commercial vehicle industry, recently celebrated production of its one millionth transmission automation system at its production site in Hannover Germany.
With more than 20 years of experience in driveline controls built up through close development cooperation with major truck and transmission manufacturers, WABCO today is one of the leading transmission automation specialists for commercial vehicles. Less Production and Operating Costs – More driver Comfort
The WABCO transmission automation system transforms a manual transmission into an automated transmission that automatically shifts gears in accordance with the driver demand. Gear changes are performed fully automatically. In manual operation mode the gear change will be performed in accordance to driver demand. The systems consist of the transmission mounted components in a range of configurations as well as the shift lever unit in the cab. The transmission automation system offers considerable cost benefits to manufacturers, fleet owner-operators. Hans-Jürgen Sander, WABCO Vice President Driveline Controls, said: “The reduced costs result from the fact that no clutch pedal, no synchronization and no linkage between cab and chassis are necessary. Fleet owners benefit from reduced wear and maintenance needs as no shift and clutch errors occur and overspeed is prevented by the transmission automation. A further benefit for operators is the systems ability to change gears in optimum speed range leading to reduced average fuel consumption. Additionally, the transmission automation releases the driver from gear shifting effort, thus increasing the driving comfort and offering better control of the vehicle in difficult traffic situations.” WABCO transmission automation systems are suitable for all heavy and medium duty trucks and buses. “Transmission automation is a tremendous success for WABCO,” Sander added. “The combination of our broad knowledge of driveline controls and systems integration experience and the close cooperation with our customers enables us to offer a complete transmission automation system tailored to our customers’ requirements. All our systems can be integrated into existing or new vehicle electronic architecture.”
WABCO built its first transmission automation system in 1985 and has seen the number of systems sold per year rising from 20,000 in 1990 to nearly 200,000 in 2007. In Western Europe today, approximately 45% or almost one in two heavy duty trucks, are equipped with a transmission automation system. This percentage is expected to increase to 60% in the coming years. Transmission Automation – Development Milestones
In 1985 WABCO launched its first modular transmission automation system for heavy duty trucks which represented a breakthrough in functionality. WABCO’s first fully integrated transmission automation, an electro-pneumatic system for heavy duty trucks, followed in 2000 and in 2004 the first hydraulic transmission automation in compact design for medium duty trucks was presented. Service Partner WABCO
WABCO constantly aims at improving its customer partnership approach. The company takes a full product lifecycle approach to its portfolio by providing manufacturers, fleet and owners and drivers with a broad range of products and services to help to keep vehicles on the road for longer, performing safely and with improved reliability. With WABCO’s know-how across all vehicle control systems – ranging from brake and stability control, suspension control to driveline controls and vehicle electronic systems as well as diagnostic systems – the company offers complete solutions for the global commercial vehicle industry. Please find more information on WABCO products and services on the website: www.wabco-auto.com Editors Notes
WABCO, the vehicle control systems business of American Standard Companies, is one of the world's leading producers of electronic braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems for heavy duty commercial vehicles. Customers include the world’s leading commercial truck, trailer, bus and passenger car manufacturers. Founded in the US in 1869 as Westinghouse Air Brake Company, WABCO was acquired by American Standard in 1968. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the business today employs more than 7000 people in 34 offices and production facilities worldwide. In 2006, WABCO contributed US$ 2 billion to American Standard’s total sales of more than US$ 11.2 billion. On February 1, 2007, American Standard announced a plan to separate its businesses and to spin off WABCO as an independent, publicly traded company. Website: www.wabco-auto.com Media contact:
Tobias Mueller, +49-69-719168-34, tobias.mueller@klenkhoursch.de |
