Develop 8AT automatic transmission domestic enterprises to catch up with international standards

Recently, the Shandong Power Transmission Engineering Technology Research Center was established in Weifang. This center has partnered with Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany to jointly develop an 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT) with independent intellectual property rights. The project marks a significant step forward for China in the automotive industry, aiming to break through long-standing technological barriers. It is worth noting that the 8AT is currently one of the most advanced automotive transmissions available globally. To date, only Japan's Aisin has successfully mass-produced an 8AT, which is used in Lexus vehicles. In March of this year, ZF of Germany announced plans to start mass production of its 8AT in 2009. The question remains: can Chinese companies develop and successfully commercialize their own 8AT? So what exactly is an 8AT? According to Liang Jian, executive deputy director of the Shandong Power Transmission Engineering Technology Research Center, this collaboration with foreign partners is not just a simple technology transfer. Instead, China retains full ownership of the intellectual property, with Chinese engineers taking the lead in project management, design, and industrialization. This approach ensures greater control and long-term sustainability. The 8AT developed by the center features a three-planetary-row structure, enabling five shift originals, eight forward gears, one neutral, and one reverse gear. Compared to some international competitors like ZF’s 8AT, which uses four planetary rows, this design is more compact, easier to integrate into vehicle chassis, and offers improved efficiency. It is also lighter and shorter than current 5-speed automatic transmissions found in domestic Camry models, with over 10% higher efficiency and better fuel economy. Notably, this 8AT is specifically designed for front-wheel drive vehicles, which are widely used in China for cars with displacements under 3.0L. This makes it more suitable for the local market compared to existing 8ATs, which are mainly for rear-wheel drive applications. The project has already been reviewed and endorsed by leading experts from the China Gear Professional Association, universities, and research institutions. It is seen as a breakthrough that fills a critical gap in China’s domestic automotive technology sector. Currently, the development of automatic transmissions in China remains a key challenge. Xu Xiangyang, deputy director of the Department of Automotive Engineering at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, noted that while many independent automakers are working on automatic transmissions, most of their products have simple structures and outdated technology, resulting in poor shifting performance and fuel economy. Most domestic automatic transmissions are still 4AT models, with no mature 6AT or 8AT solutions available. Xu pointed out that the main issue lies in the layout design. International 4, 5, and 6-speed technologies are well-established, with most planetary gear structures patented by multinational companies, making it difficult for domestic firms to innovate. Experts believe that starting with 8AT gives Shandong Power Transmission a strategic advantage. By avoiding patent conflicts and focusing on the most advanced technology, they can catch up with global standards faster. As Liang Jian explained, developing from lower-speed transmissions would result in outdated technology, reducing the competitiveness of the final product. In recent years, there has been a clear trend toward increasing the number of gears in automatic transmissions. Xu elaborated that 4- and 5-speed automatics are less efficient, consuming 15–20% more fuel than manual transmissions. These will likely be phased out in the future. While 6-speed automatics offer better fuel economy than CVTs and DCTs, 8-speed transmissions provide even smoother shifts, better matching between engine and transmission, and superior fuel efficiency and emissions. Looking ahead, the Shandong Power Transmission Engineering Technology Research Center has completed the principle and scheme design phases, and is now moving into prototype trial production. The first 8AT prototype is expected by mid-2024, with mass production planned for 2025. The center has already partnered with several domestic automakers, and the 8AT will be first installed in a B-class model of its own brand. Li Shengqi, vice secretary-general of the China Gear Professional Association, praised the new design, noting that the transmission efficiency is significantly higher than traditional ATs. He added that while the 8AT is still in the R&D stage, the cross-border collaboration brings valuable expertise and increases the chances of success. Overall, the 8AT project represents a major milestone for China’s automotive industry, showing the potential for innovation and self-reliance in key technological areas.

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