Dual-clutch put on hold at Chrysler

Move follows criticism of Ford's transmission

November 14, 2011 - 12:01 am ET


DETROIT -- Chrysler Group has delayed introduction of a fuel-saving
automatic transmission so it can make the shift patterns more palatable to
U.S. drivers -- the latest sign that a key tool in automakers' plans to meet
tougher fuel-economy rules needs some fine-tuning.
Two weeks ago, Ford Motor Co., which uses a similar dual-clutch transmission
in its Fiesta and Focus, took a hit in Consumer Reports' annual reliability
survey because many drivers complained about balky shifting.

Chrysler said it was delaying its dual-clutch transmission, which was to
debut in the 2012 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger sedans. The mid-sized
sedans will stay with a standard automatic six-speed, Chrysler said. "We
were concerned about the refinement and how the American customers might
perceive the transmission," said Vince Muniga, a spokesman for Chrysler.

The Fiat dual-clutch transmission is used in Europe, and Muniga said
Chrysler will look for future North American products in which to use it.

Substituting a dual-clutch automatic transmission for a conventional
automatic can increase a vehicle's fuel economy by 10 percent.

Dual-clutch transmissions work like a mated pair of manual transmissions,
each with its own clutch, and don't use a torque converter to deliver power
to the axles. They are in use in other vehicles already sold in North
America, such as those built by Volkswagen and Audi. The operation of a
dual-clutch transmission is indistinguishable from that of a conventional
automatic at highway speeds. But some reviews have said dual-clutch
transmissions can feel slow to respond at lower speeds or in city driving,
and can even give the impression that the vehicle is going to stall.

Before its bankruptcy in 2009, Chrysler had entered into an ill-fated joint
venture with Getrag Corp. to develop dual-clutch technology, building what
was to have been a $530 million factory in Indiana to produce the
transmissions. But the effort was scrapped, in part because of Chrysler's
desperate financial condition.

Muniga said Chrysler's current joint venture with ZF Friedrichshafen to
produce a nine-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive vehicles
is not affected by its decision to delay the introduction of dual-clutch
technology. Marchionne has said the ZF 9-speed will be used in
front-wheel-drive vehicles such as the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger.