11th
March 2008 - BorgWarner Doubles Dual-Clutch Production Facility in Germany
Over 1 Million DualTronic(R) Systems Already Built in Arnstadt
With demand for its dual-clutch transmission modules (known as DualTronic(R)) expected to increase 500% by 2013, BorgWarner has opened
its second manufacturing facility at its Drivetrain campus in Arnstadt,
Germany. The new facility will double the manufacturing area of the
current site to over 107,000 square feet (10,000 square meters) and
create 150 jobs by 2010. In addition, a new vehicle lab and test track
with tight curves, steeply graded hills and sharp exits has been
constructed for on-site evaluation of series- production technologies.
"The dramatic worldwide growth in dual-clutch transmissions continues to
be very positive," said Dr. Bernd Matthes, President and General
Manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems. "Now that new applications
across the world are going into high-volume production, more and more
customers are discovering the fuel-saving potential and improved
performance of BorgWarner's impressive transmission technology."
During the opening ceremonies, BorgWarner executives hosted auto
industry leaders and local government officials including Prime Minister
of the Free State of Thuringia, Dieter Althaus; Head of the Regional
District Ilmkreis, Dr. Benno Kaufhold and others. They joined BorgWarner
executives for an inaugural tour, test drives on the new test track,
technical presentations, and displays of Volkswagen and Audi vehicles
featuring DualTronic systems.
Over one million DualTronic systems have been built in Arnstadt since
the first plant opened four years ago. During the next few years, the
company plans to invest nearly euro 26 million to expand the site.
BorgWarner has led the globalization of dual-clutch transmission
technology for ten years with awarded business in Europe, North America
and Asia, including programs with VW, Audi, Bugatti, SAIC, Nissan and
Getrag programs with five global automakers. At full-launch of announced
programs, BorgWarner expects to be providing its innovative DualTronic
technology to an expected 2.3 million dual-clutch transmissions per
year.
BorgWarner's family of DualTronic transmission technology combines the
efficiency of a manual gearbox with the functionality of a fully
automatic transmission, delivering seamless powerflow, improved fuel
efficiency, and a fun-to-drive experience. Global manufacturing capacity
for BorgWarner dual- clutch transmission modules is supported by its
facilities in the United States, Germany, France and China, and a new
facility in Mexico.
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc.
is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for
vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company
operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 64 locations in 17
countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan,
General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John
Deere, PSA, and MAN. The Internet address for BorgWarner is:
www.borgwarner.com
Source: BorgWarner Press Release