Because of the increasing complexity of commercial trucking operation and management, the truck automatic transmission is being found to be an asset in terms of overall vehicle economics-in addition to its long recognized features of ease of operation and safety. A number of salient vehicle cost factors upon which the truck automatic transmission has an impact are discussed-along with the transmission design principles which lead to that impact. Acceptance of this premise by the trucking industry is shown by market segment.
In addition to discussing the contribution of the truck automatic transmission toward improving the overall economics position of today's commercial vehicles, this paper gives indication of forthcoming refinements in transmission design which will further reduce fuel consumption costs.
