Borg-Warner Automotive Produces Millionth Torque-On-Demand Transfer Case
22 December 1997
Borg-Warner Automotive Produces Millionth Torque-On-Demand Transfer Case
MUNCIE, Ind., Dec. 22 -- Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
, innovator of automatic Torque-On-Demand(TM) (TOD), and Ford Motor
Company teamed up in early 1995 to offer the most revolutionary
four-wheel-drive system available as standard equipment on the 1995 Explorer.
Since then, in support of customer needs in the fastest-growing segment of the
North American auto industry, Borg-Warner Automotive has produced one million
Torque-on-Demand (TOD) transfer cases.
"As the leading independent global supplier of four-wheel-drive transfer
cases for light trucks and sport utility vehicles, Borg-Warner Automotive
takes great pride in knowing that the drivers of close to one million Ford
Explorers, Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators have benefited from the
improvements in safety, convenience and efficiency provided by TOD," said Tim
Manganello, vice president, operations of Borg-Warner Automotive's Powertrain
Systems facility here, where the systems are manufactured.
The performance, endurance and handling benefits of the TOD transfer case
have also been proven on four off-road world-championship Ford vehicles.
"The demand for light trucks and sport utility vehicles is at an all-time
high, and is still going strong," said Manganello. "These vehicles have
become a permanent part of the North American market. In fact, by the turn of
the century, Borg-Warner Automotive expects to be well on the way to producing
its two-millionth TOD system."
The TOD system's distinguishing feature is its ability to deliver optimal
torque automatically using electronic sensors and micro-computer controls,
which are also designed and developed by Borg-Warner Automotive. In the
automatic four-wheel-drive mode, when the system senses slippage between the
two axles, it automatically transfers power between the front and rear axles
and reduces the front-wheel power when it is no longer needed. This
translates into significant handling benefits to the driver as compared to
conventional full-time and part-time systems. The system also provides a
four-wheel-drive low made for extreme off-road conditions.
TOD offers four driver-selection modes: two-wheel-drive for normal road
conditions; electronically controlled automatic four-wheel-drive; full-time
four-wheel-drive-high for off-road operation; and four-wheel-drive-low for
extreme off-road conditions.
"Borg-Warner Automotive is market and technology driven," said Fred M.
Kovalik, president and general manager of Borg-Warner Automotive Powertrain
Systems. "The production of one million Torque-on-Demand systems exemplifies
this product leadership. The company salutes the employees of the Muncie
facility for their impressive achievement in meeting customer needs."
Muncie employees were recently honored for their roles in the production
of one million transfer cases at celebrations for all three shifts.
Chicago-based Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. is a product leader in highly
engineered components and systems, primarily for automotive drivetrain
applications. The company operates manufacturing facilities in 12 countries
serving the North American, European and Asian automotive markets.
Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts
are "forward-looking" statements as contemplated by the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks
and uncertainties include fluctuations in domestic or foreign automotive
production, the continued use of outside suppliers by original equipment
manufacturers, and general economic conditions, as well as other risks
detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the Cautionary Statements filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
SOURCE Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
