Antonov keen to license auto transmission tech
UK-based engineering company and automatic transmission specialist Antonov plc will consider exporting initial volumes of six-speed automatic transmissions to India from its joint venture plant in China over the next three years. These would service conventional petrol and diesel vehicles in India, including small and midsized passenger cars. But as volumes increase, Antonov could license the technology to local producers or enter into a JV with an Indian partner for local assembly operations, according to company officials.
Simon Roberts, managing director, told Autocar Professional on a visit to Detroit that Antonov is focusing on developing a low-cost TX-6 automatic transmission for conventional gas and diesel vehicles in China.
“We are in discussion with Chinese OEMs and are targeting domestic brands because we believe we can offer them a six-speed automatic transmission that has not been available to them so far,” he says. Roberts is optimistic that after a couple of years, JV brands in the Chinese market would also become the company’s customers when a robust price is offered to them.
At present, JV companies in China have access to imported automatic transmission technologies from Japan that are commercially unviable for the high-end local players. Hence, Antonov along with its Chinese partner is developing a low-cost local alternative that can be exported to Europe and other foreign markets like India, Korea and Malaysia where there is a growing need for reliable, good quality and low-cost automotive products.