ZF Friedrichshafen AG / ZF bouwt personenauto transmissiefabriek in Noord Amerika

ZF bouwt personenauto transmissiefabriek in Noord Amerika

The new plant is to cover the strong demand for the 8 and 9-speed automatic transmissions by ZF
With US dollar 350 million, the largest single investment of ZF outside of Germany

In Greenville, South Carolina, USA, ZF Friedrichshafen AG is setting up its first passenger car transmission plant in North America. As of 2013, on approximately 90,000 square meters ground, 8 and 9-speed automatic transmission will be US-manufactured for the North American market. The new building lives up to the powerful growth course of ZF in this region.

ZF realized a sales growth of more than 50 percent in North America last year. 2011 is expected to see a continuation of this positive trend. The 8-speed automatic transmission supply and license agreement with Chrysler will significantly assist this growth. This transmission type is particularly high in demand thanks to its soft gear changes and its fuel consumption efficiency; therefore, a new passenger car transmission plant will be set up in Greenville/South Carolina. In the near future, at the very same location, production is scheduled for the new 9-speed automatic transmission by ZF. The transmission was first time unveiled at the NAIAS 2011, the North American International Auto Show, and with its installation design, namely transverse to the direction of travel, it will open up new customer segments for front wheel driven vehicles.

"Erecting a new building, our passenger car transmission plant, is just the right step in the right direction, in particular when looking at the good prospects on the North American market!", said Dr. Gerhard Wagner, member of the Board of Management, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and Group Executive of the Powertrain Technology Division. "The rising sales potential calls for consistent capacity extensions. This is the only option at hand so that in the future, we can still live up to the strong demand for our fuel-efficient automatic transmissions."

With an investment volume amounting to US dollar 350 million and 900 newly created jobs, one of the most modern transmissions plants for the US automobile market is being established in Greenville: "The production facilities are indeed a milestone in North American transmission manufacture!", stated the CEO of the plant, Dr. Ludger Reckmann.