| Return to Steel News Headlines| Print This Page |

Timken to Supply Components
for GM 6-Speed Transmission

Feb. 9, 2004 — The Timken Co. has signed an agreement to supply steel gear preforms for the new 6-speed automatic transmission currently in development by General Motors Corp. The multi-year agreement includes supplying 100% of the gear performs for the first two models of the rear-wheel drive version of GM's newly developed family of transmissions.

"Automotive transmissions have continued to evolve from the 3-speeds common in the 1950s to GM's new 6-speed with each generation delivering greater efficiency and performance," said Donald L. Walker, President of Precision Steel Components. "Each generation of transmission also required ever-higher standards of steel quality and performance. Timken^(R) steel has played a vital role in advancing automotive transmission technology, and we are proud to be part of the team developing the components for the new GM 6-speed gear box."

Timken will provide precision-machined steel preforms that GM will use as the material for 20 transmission components, including sun gears, ring gears and pinion gears. These planetary gears play a role in determining the ratio for the gear sets in a transmission. The new 6-speed transmissions will be used in a number of GM vehicles beginning in 2006.

Timken engineers and metallurgists have worked with GM for nearly two years analyzing application requirements and identifying appropriate steel grades. The steels selected provide long life in high wear conditions, as well as good machinability to accommodate the precision machining required to produce gears.

The Timken Co. is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and a provider of related products and services with operations in 29 countries. The company recorded 2003 sales of $3.8 billion and employed approximately 26,000 at year end.

Close Window