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News of August 07, 2002

Ford's Sharonville Plant To Start Building New Truck Transmission

• Ford trucks to offer new TorqShift automatic by early 2003
• $81 million investment in new line, equipment and tooling
• Up to 250,000 new transmissions to be built next year

DEARBORN, Mich. - Beginning next month, Ford Motor Company's Sharonville (Ohio) Transmission Plant near Cincinnati will start building a new 5-speed automatic truck transmission called TorqShift®.

TorqShift is a newly designed 5-speed automatic transmission which will be available on mid-2003 model year Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups and Ford Excursion SUV models equipped with Ford's new 6.0-liter Power Stroke® Diesel engine. The transmission will replace the 4-speed automatic currently offered in those vehicles.

"We are very happy to introduce the new TorqShift 5-speed automatic," said Dave Szczupak, Ford's vice president of Powertrain Operations, at an unveiling of the new transmission today at the plant. A total investment of $81 million was made to install a new manufacturing line, equipment and tooling.

With a newly designed 5-speed gearbox and new electronic control system to help provide smoother shifts, the new TorqShift features higher first- and second-gear ratios to launch a truck loaded with cargo more quickly and smoothly.

First shown in concept form at the North American International Auto Show in January, as the transmission behind Ford's Mighty F-350 Concept Truck, TorqShift features include:

High Torque Capability: The torque converter has been designed to maximize the low-speed torque capability of the powertrain. During peak operating range, the transmission delivers a best-in-class 560 foot-pounds of torque when mated with the new 6.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel. This is an increase of 10 foot-pounds of torque since the transmission's pre-introduction in May.

New Electronic Shift Control System: TorqShift's control system monitors the engine, transmission, vehicle speed and driver inputs to help optimize shift performance. TorqShift's control body employs electronic solenoids to manage the transmission's clutch elements, eliminating the variability experienced with more conventional hydraulic spring/valve systems. The solenoids are placed close to the clutches, thereby minimizing response time. A filter screen is employed to help prevent contamination impacting the solenoids.

Tow-Haul Mode: A selectable tow-haul feature enhances vehicle control by tailoring the up-shift schedule for optimized performance during these more demanding activities. The tow-haul feature senses when conditions call for increased engine braking and automatically schedules the appropriate downshift. The grade-braking feature functions in concert with speed control to help maintain the desired vehicle speed while descending grades.

Improved Cooling, Lubrication and Filtration Systems: At the heart of the new transmission is a larger pump to promote better lubrication and cooling. An external filter similar in concept to the filter on the engine features a replaceable transmission oil filter cartridge to aid removal of contaminants from the transmission oil.

Power Takeoff (PTO): The PTO unit allows operation in all gears over a variety of operating conditions. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment through the driveline to run devices like snowplows, aerial lifts, tow trucks or dump trucks.

Ford expects the plant to build up to 250,000 of the new transmissions in 2003 with capacity to build more than 500,000 annually by mid-decade. Production of the TorqShift begins in September 2002. Ford trucks with the new powertrain are expected to be on sale in early 2003.

The Sharonville Transmission Plant was opened in 1958 and currently employs 2,500 people.

(August 2, 2002)

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