Shanghai, December 5 (Gasgoo.com)--Antonov, the UK-based automatic transmission developer, has recently secured the first confirmed customer in China for its latest six- speed automatic transmission (6AT)--the Chongqing-based Lifan Motors.
"Following the recent demonstrations of our technology in Chongqing, Antonov has now received formal interest from Lifan Motors who will mount Antonov's six- speed transmission for its mid sized sedans from late 2010," according to John Moore, CEO of Antonov plc.
Antonov showed a demonstratedion vehicle equipped with its TX6-coded 6AT in Chongqing last month. Seven interested local OEMs viewed the demojoined it and gave a positive feedback on the vehicle performance
Mr. Moore said Antonov will take further steps to market its technology whileith holding further high-level meetings and more talknegotiations with potential customers and partners.
Earlier this week, BorgWarner, a US-based leading powertrain supplier, announced the establishment of a joint venture (JV) company for its dual clutch transmission (DCT) project. The JV was between BorgWarner (China) and China Automotive Development United Investment (CDUI)--an OEM consortium with 12 member companies: FAW, SAIC, DFM, Changan, Chery, Brilliance, JAC, Changfeng, Geely, GAIC, Paulson and Great Wall.
The JV's capacity is set to reach 1.5 million units by 2020, covering a 80 percent of the 12 automakers' demands for the automated transmission.