ZF Meritor Reasserts Transmission Technology Leadership
3 November 1999
ZF Meritor Reasserts Transmission Technology Leadership
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 2 -- ZF Meritor LLC President Rick
Martello reaffirmed his company's commitment to the North American heavy truck
transmission market by presenting the most comprehensive transmission product
lineup available from a single-source supplier. The presentation was part of
the annual American Trucking Association (ATA) Management Conference. ZF
Meritor reasserted its transmission technology leadership role by introducing
its initial product offering: FreedomLine(TM), the North American market's
first automated mechanical heavy truck transmission without a clutch pedal.
After reviewing ZF Meritor's path of product innovation, from 10-speed
manual transmissions to its popular Engine SyncroShift(TM) System, Martello
turned to the industry's future to discuss two advanced-technology ZF Meritor
automated transmissions, one currently available to truck manufacturers and
another coming in the next truck model cycle:
* SureShift(TM) -- an affordable, driver-friendly, easy-to-maintain
system now available as optional equipment through leading OEMs at significant
savings compared to other automated transmissions in the market.
* FreedomLine(TM) -- the most advanced fully-automated transmission in
North America, which will be available on production vehicles in fall 2000.
"We're excited to have our newest road-ready product for the North
American marketplace in SureShift(TM) and what we believe will become the
defacto industry standard for heavy truck transmissions with our new
FreedomLine(TM)," Martello said. "These products answer directly the
industry's challenge for more affordable, leading-edge technology in a user-
friendly package."
SureShift(TM) -- The Affordably-Priced Automatic Choice
ZF Meritor launched SureShift(TM), its first true shift-by-wire
transmission system, in March 1998 and initial reviews noted that it provided
the operating ease of an automated transmission with full manual control at
the driver's fingertips. Today, SureShift(TM) is in full production at ZF
Meritor's Laurinburg, N.C., plant and available through major North American
OEMs, when spec'd with any 9- or 10-speed ZF Meritor transmission. It
represents a cost-effective alternative to other multi-shift automated systems
currently available in North America, by offering the ease of an automated
transmission while keeping manual control at the driver's fingertips -- a
direct request made by drivers.
SureShift(TM) significantly reduces the effort required to safely and
accurately shift a non-synchronized manual transmission, while minimizing the
possibility of misshifts. Its patented technology enables the least
experienced drivers in a fleet to shift as efficiently as more experienced
pros.
Unique to SureShift(TM), drivers simply push a joystick forward for
upshifts and pull back for downshifts. Improper shifting is a thing of the
past with the system, since it is virtually impossible for drivers to make a
shift that would over-rev or excessively lug the engine. If the operator
selects a gear that would over-rev or lug the engine, the system emits an
audible "beep," to signal the driver that an improper shift was attempted.
Additional SureShift(TM) Features and Benefits
* Reduces costs associated with training novice drivers
* Ergonomic design and adjustment flexibility maximize driver comfort
* Can be spec'd on any ZF Meritor 9- or 10-speed transmission, and
* will mate with any electronically controlled engine
FreedomLine(TM) Eliminates the Clutch Pedal
The centerpiece of ZF Meritor's ATA conference presentation was the new ZF
Meritor FreedomLine(TM) transmission, the first in a long line of product
planned by the ZF Meritor joint venture for the North American market.
FreedomLine(TM) features an exclusive no-clutch pedal design, making it the
first North American heavy truck automated transmission operated by only two
pedals. Martello explained that this design will make it easier for drivers
to learn and operate than competing three-pedal automated systems, while
giving drivers complete control over the shifting process.
"In the United States, 90 percent of all cars on the road have automatic
transmissions," said Martello. "Any two-pedal driver in the country will feel
comfortable learning to drive a truck equipped with FreedomLine(TM), and that
will appeal directly to a changing pool of drivers."
The principal advantage of FreedomLine(TM) is that it completely
eliminates the clutch pedal and the need for manual clutch actuation for start
and stop, while giving drivers the option of fully automated or operator-
controlled shifting. The new transmission also features a twin countershaft
with full helical gearing that Martello said will set industry standards for
reduced noise levels, and produce drive quality that rivals other automatic,
multi-speed transmissions at competitive prices.
Based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, ZF is the market leader in Europe and
second in the world for commercial vehicle transmissions. The company
reported total 1998 revenues of 10.1 billion DM or $5.9 billion US. ZF also
manufactures axles, chassis and steering systems for various types of
vehicles.
Meritor, with 1998 sales of $3.8 billion, is a global supplier of a broad
range of components and systems for commercial, specialty and light vehicle
OEMs and the aftermarket. Meritor consists of Heavy Vehicle Systems, a
leading supplier of drivetrain systems and components for medium- and heavy-
duty trucks, trailers and off-highway equipment and specialty vehicles,
including military, bus and coach, and fire and rescue; and Light Vehicle
Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access control, suspension and seat
adjusting systems and wheel products for passenger cars, light trucks and
sport utility vehicles.
Meritor Internet Web Site Address: http://www.meritorauto.com
ZF Internet Web Site Address: http://www.zf-group.de
FreedomLine(TM) is a trademark of ZF Meritor.