Daimler Trucks has extended its long-term supply agreement with Belgium’s WABCO for the heavy-duty automated manual transmission control technology used in its series vehicle production.
Automated manual transmission likes those supplied by WABCO transforms a manual transmission into an efficient, cost-effective solution that, from the perspective of the driver, automatically shifts gears and controls clutch actuation just like an automatic transmission.
The technology helps to minimise any performance gap between highly skilled and less experienced drivers, helping to boost fuel efficiency and reduce wear (for lower maintenance costs and downtime), while enabling drivers to focus more on the road, for reduced stress and greater safety.
Jorge Solis, president for the truck, bus and car original equipment manufacturers division at WABCO, said: “Our industry continues to adopt automated manual transmission technology. Our new contract with Daimler Trucks extends our existing agreement, while also expanding volume.”
WABCO was the first to market in 1986 with automated manual transmission control technology for commercial vehicles, and remains the global market leader today, with 3.5 million systems sold.
At the recent Automechanika Dubai 2017 event, Philippe Colpron, VP for aftermarket at WABCO, noted: “The GCC has become a very attractive market for transport and logistics in recent years. As the oil price declines, the region is looking for new ways to grow, with a stronger focus on tourism.
“With respect to the giant infrastructural projects in the region, and our role is to support the transport and logistics companies in the region to reduce the downtimes of fleets and to maximise their efficiency.”
Sherif El-Sheikh, Middle East head for WABCO’s trailer systems, aftermarket and off-highway division, added: “The Middle East is closing close the gap with the advanced safety and efficiency technologies more common in developed markets, so now is the perfect time to do business in the MEA region.”
WABCO also supplies electronic braking, stability, suspension and for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and across its products lines achieved sales of $747.3m in Q1 2017 alone.
Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, Daimler Trucks is the world’s largest manufacturer of heavy commercial vehicle over six tonnes, and commands five trucks brands: Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, FUSO, Western Star and BharatBenz.
