Ford, Jag, Volvo develop 6-speed

Ford Motor Co.'s Ford, Jaguar and Volvo engineers are developing a new 6-speed manual transmission to meet the need for a front-wheel-drive transaxle to handle higher horsepower for increased performance in FWD cars, WAW is told. Mazda Motor Corp. also is expected to join the 3-way venture. The transmission, which has received corporate approval, likely will be built in Europe at a Ford or supplier plant. Ford already sold a 51% stake in its Batavia, OH, transmission plant to ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The plant is gearing up to produce continuously variable transmissions.