ZF Meritor LLC Launches FreedomLine
3 November 1999
ZF Meritor LLC Launches FreedomLine(TM) - A 'No Clutch Pedal' Fully Automated Heavy Truck Mechanical Transmission
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 2 -- The leadership team of ZF Meritor
LLC -- the recently finalized joint venture between Meritor Automotive
and ZF Friedrichshafen -- unveiled here today its initial product
offerings, and provided a strong indication of the advanced-technology
transmissions the industry can expect in the future from this respected
partnership. ZF Meritor President Rick Martello introduced ZF Meritor's
FreedomLine(TM), the most advanced fully-automated transmission in North
America. It is a fully-automated heavy truck transmission without a clutch
pedal that will be made available in the North American market. The new
transmission will be produced at ZF Meritor's Laurinburg, N.C., plant and
available as optional equipment from leading truck OEMs' production vehicles
in fall 2000, Martello said in his remarks during the American Trucking
Association's annual management conference.
"We are determined to push relentlessly to keep our technology fresh, all
to service our ultimate customers: drivers and fleet owners and keep them on
the leading edge," said Martello. "With FreedomLine(TM), we think we've
crafted a transmission that drivers will get excited about because it is
easier to operate than any model currently available. We believe we have
created the future industry standard for heavy truck transmissions with this
new lineup."
ZF Meritor plans to offer FreedomLine(TM) in the following configurations:
1) a 12-speed direct drive model rated at 1,450 lb.-ft. of torque and a
12-speed overdrive model rated at 1,650 lb.-ft. of torque; and, 2) a 16-speed
direct drive model with 1,650 lb.-ft. of torque and a 16-speed overdrive model
rated at 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque.
Ease of Operation Drives Design
The new ZF Meritor FreedomLine(TM) transmission features an exclusive "no
clutch pedal" design, making it the first North American heavy truck automated
transmission operated by only two pedals. Martello asserted 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.
FreedomLine(TM) also features a twin countershaft with full helical
gearing that Martello said will set industry standards for reduced noise,
while delivering drive quality that rivals automatic transmissions. It
eliminates manual clutch actuation for start and stop, and gives drivers the
option of fully automated or operator-controlled shifting.
"Our new FreedomLine(TM) is the next evolutionary step in the industry
because it offers drivers freedom from shifting, freedom from clutching,
freedom from extensive driver training, freedom from clutch and linkage
adjustment, and freedom from wear and tear," Martello said, noting that the
impact of these freedoms on maintenance. "FreedomLine(TM) ensures perfect
shifts all the time. By eliminating wear-and-tear associated with clutching,
operators should experience lower total maintenance costs."
Martello said the most significant benefit of FreedomLine(TM) is improved
driver focus. By eliminating clutching and shifting, it frees drivers from
potential distractions so they can concentrate on other driving tasks.
The new line of transmissions also will benefit fleet operators through
increased fuel economy and an expanded driver pool. The electronically
controlled shifting senses load and automatically knows when to skip shifts,
maximizing fuel efficiency. Its ease of use means that it will be easier for
drivers to learn to operate and have greater appeal to entry-level drivers.
"The FreedomLine(TM) is the direct result of what drivers and owners told
us they wanted: the option of full automation," said Martello. "It truly
delivers full automation for the total freedom that a safe and efficient
driving experience provides. In concert with our ESS and SureShift(TM),
FreedomLine(TM) allows us to offer a full range of automated transmissions to
meet all customers' pricing and performance requirements."
Performance Delivers Increased Cost Savings
Martello added that owners and operators would achieve significant cost
savings with FreedomLine(TM). Factors improving bottom line performance
include:
* Value-based pricing -- Drive quality will rival competing automatic
transmissions at a significant savings.
* Reduced training costs -- Operators will save the time it takes to
train novice drivers to properly shift a manual transmission, one of the most
challenging aspects of learning how to drive a heavy truck.
* Ease-of-use -- The least experienced drivers can shift as expertly as
the veterans, significantly reducing the potential wear-and-tear caused by
mis-shifting.
* Fuel efficiency -- The system senses loads and will shift at optimal
points to improve fuel economy.
* Driver safety -- Allows driver to focus on the road and not on
shifting.
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 transmissions, 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.
FreedomLine(TM) is a registered trademark of ZF Meritor LLC.