General Motors’ Toledo Transmission plant puts out thousands upon thousands of 6-speed and 8-speed automatic gearboxes every week. In fact, in an average work week, the plant produces somewhere around 30,000 transmissions total.
As it stands, of the 5,500 or so units produced daily, only 500 of these are 8-speed automatic units. That’s the very same 8-speed that shifts the new 2015 Corvette Z06, mind you. But as ABC News in Toledo reports, higher volume sales could increase demand for the 8-speed units, to as much as double within 6 to 12 months.
The news outlet spoke to 8-Speed Launch Manager Bob Widmer. “If we sell more vehicles it will require a second shift and we’ll put more people on,” he said. “Do you know how many jobs could be added? In the assembly area of the 8 speed line, anywhere from 100-125 people.”
Of course, the other aspect which could increase demand for GM’s 8L90 8-speed is use in a broader array of vehicles. The unit is already available in the Corvette C7 – both the Stingray and the Z06 – the Cadillac Escalade and ATS-V, Chevy Silverado, and GMC Sierra. That portfolio could swell as GM employs every tactic necessary to meet rising federal emissions regulations.
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