Fiat , GM to produce transmissions in Austria

Autoparts Report, March 20, 2002

Fiat and General Motors will produce a new series of transmissions at a plant in Austria which will be used by both makers' cars. The transmissions will be made by Powertrain, the joint venture between the two companies.

A Fiat spokesman said that investment in the venture would total around 300 million euros.

Production of the new transmission, the first to be built jointly under the two companies' industrial alliance, will begin in 2004. Fiat and GM formed a strategic alliance in March 2000 aimed at achieving significant synergies in areas such as purchasing and powertrain joint ventures as well as financial services.

The new transmission will be produced at Powertrain's plant at Vienna-Aspern, which currently makes engines and transmissions for Opel and Vauxhall.