ZF Produces Its 10 Millionth Automatic Passenger Car Transmission

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Nov. 7, 2006 -- ZF -- a leading supplier of automotive driveline and chassis technology -- produced its 10 millionth automatic transmission for passenger cars during Oct. 2006. Dubbed the "jubilee unit," the milestone 6 HP 28 transmission was produced at ZF's Saarbrucken transmission plant in Saarbrucken, Germany.

The 6 HP 28 automatic six-speed transmission is part of the second- generation of ZF six speeds for passenger cars and plays a major role in the drive characteristics and performance of the new BMW 3-Series coupes, along with the updated BMW X3. ZF produced its first passenger car transmission in 1965 -- a three-speed automatic for the BMW 2000C.

During 2005 alone, ZF produced 994,000 automatic transmissions at the Saarbrucken facility. In addition, since ZF introduced the world's first six- speed automatic transmission for passenger cars in 2001, the company has acquired 90 percent of the six-speed automatic market.

ZF is a leading worldwide supplier of driveline and chassis technology. Headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany, ZF is among the 15 largest automotive suppliers in the world. The company employs approximately 54,000 at 122 locations in 26 countries, and totaled sales of $13.5 billion in 2005.

ZF operates a large manufacturing network in North America, combined with global research and development capabilities, to provide advanced technology to the region. The ZF Group North American Operations Headquarters and Technical Center is located in Northville, Mich., USA.