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GM and Ford call temporary truce to co-develop 9 and 10-speed automatic transmissions

Ford six-speed auto
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Two of the American “Big Three” automakers have put their differences aside, albeit temporarily, and signed an agreement to create new nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions together.

When one reads a headline like that, it conjures up the immortal words of Chief Joseph, “I will fight no more forever.” As earth-shattering as it sounds, a GM and Ford transmission treaty isn’t revolutionary; the two auto giants co-engineered a six-speed transmission in the early 2000s.

What is a bit shocking about the announcement: a 10-speed automatic. Recently German transmission manufacturer ZF announced it saw the nine-speed as the logical and physical limit to the automatic transmission wars.

Regardless, Ford and GM are going for it. If the last co-designed transmission project is any indication of a time frame, the new transmissions are likely over three years away.

According to a Detroit News report, the nine-speed units would be designated for front-wheel drive cars while the ten speed gearbox would be used in rear-wheel drives. Automakers are adding speeds to transmissions in a bid to coax both better fuel efficiency and more performance from smaller engines.

As it stands, both brands are a bit behind the times. Ford is using mostly six-speed autos and GM has just recently stepped up to an eight-speed in its latest and greatest model, the CTS V-Sport. Across town, however, Chrysler just made big waves when it unveiled the world’s first production nine-speed automatic in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee.

We’re keenly interested to see if the minds at Ford and GM can out-engineer the Germans at ZF. Only time will tell.

Aside from logistics, however, the transmission team-up makes sense. Customers don’t care where the transmissions come from so long as they work. And sharing the project will save time and money.

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Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
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