Aisin Seiki to Increase Output of More Fuel-Efficient Transmissions by 42% This Year

26 November 2007

Bloomberg. Aisin Seiki Co. says that it will increase its output of its more fuel efficient transmissions—including 6-speed, continuously variable transmissions, and others—by 42% this fiscal year.

Output of four-speed and five-speed transmissions will fall about 12% in the year ending March 31, according to President Yasuhito Yamauchi in an interview with Bloomberg.

During the next three years, Aisin’s production of three- to five-speed automatics will probably fall 20 percent, while six-and eight-speeds will increase 43 percent, according to Atsushi Ishii, a Tokyo-based analyst at CSM Worldwide. Output of continuously variable units may almost double in the period, he added.

A 1-liter Toyota Vitz fitted with a continuously variable transmission can get up to 22 kilometers per liter (52 mpg US)—12% better than using a four-speed transmission, according to Aisin.

Aisin makes the eight-speed automatic transmission for the Lexus LS460 sedan. The unit gives an 11 percent better performance than a five-speed version, according to Aisin.

In addition to Toyota, which holds a 22% stake in Aisin, the company’s other major customers include Volkswagen AG and General Motors Corp.

Aisin plans to raise its research and development spending 9 percent this fiscal year as it explores new technologies including dual-clutch transmissions and lightweight materials. Research spending will equal 113 billion yen, or 4.2 percent of sales, this year, according to the company.