BorgWarner to provide wet dual-clutch technology to China’s FAW

BorgWarner United Transmission Systems (BWUTS), a majority-held joint venture between BorgWarner and 12 Chinese automakers in Dalian, China, has been selected to supply DualTronic control modules and clutch modules with integral torsional vibration dampers for FAW’s new seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The DCT is expected to debut in FAW’s flagship Hongqi (Red Flag) luxury sedan in late 2013, and will be the first domestically built rear-wheel drive DCT in China. Two other programs are under development for production in 2014 and 2015. Once the programs are launched, total volumes are expected to reach more than 500,000 units per year. Featuring improved solenoids and new friction materials with the latest clutch pack design, BorgWarner’s DualTronic clutch and control modules deliver better fuel economy and torque transfer compared with previous wet and dry clutch systems. “Demand for domestically produced automatic transmissions is growing in China. BorgWarner’s dual-clutch transmission technology provides Chinese vehicle manufacturers with a quick-to-market, cost-effective, state-of-the-art wet DCT automatic transmission solution,” said Robin Kendrick, president and general manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems. “Interest in dual-clutch transmissions is particularly strong among vehicle manufacturers in major growth markets in Asia and Europe. BorgWarner expects the overall DCT market to grow from 2.6 million units in 2011 to 8.7 million units by 2017,” he said. (May 5, 2012)