Exploring Advances In Automobile Transmission Technologies

Exploring Advances In Automobile Transmission Technologies

INTRODUCTION

The speed with which engine technology, including electronics and software, for emission control, fuel economy, and sheer performance is being integrated in India is a pointer that the mystique of automatic transmission (AT) technology will not remain much longer. Companies that seek a product leadership role in the industry will proactively develop a flexible strategic approach that integrates (and the key operating word here is integration) product design with sourcing and manufacturing and is based on deep market, economic, and financial insights. The history of the last 25 years in India shows that such companies will challenge conventional wisdom, stretch the limits of possibilities and lead the revolution!

I want to take the liberty of proffering some unsolicited counsel and tips to my colleagues in industry that you might want to consider as you try and figure out solutions to this rather complex and intractable challenge of figuring out an economically viable solution of bringing advanced AT technology to India.

THE 10-POINT TEMPLATE

1. Transmission development must start from a deep understanding of functionality and the method of realising that functionality. The design rationale of products developed in the market contexts of the United States or Europe will not do. The overall environment, infrastructure, and ecosystem of a market like India demands rethinking of functionality, and the method of realising that functionality, anew. For example, in Europe there is a clear notion of a city car that people generally will not venture out with on the autobahns. In India, on the other hand, it is not uncommon to see our entry level cars on the expressways on long marathon driving vacations. So the way you design an automatic transmission for such applications based on functionality ought to take this aspect into consideration.