AvtoVAZ Plans to Build Own Automatic Transmission

VIENNA –AvtoVAZ plans to manufacture its own automatic transmission, says Vladimir Bokk, head of the Russian auto maker’s department for engine and transmission production.

Bokk tells a company publication AvtoVAZ next year will launch a new manual transmission dubbed 2180, which is a modernized version of the current 2112 gearbox.

An automatic version of the 2180 will follow later, but Bokk provides no timetable for the project.

AvtoVAZ, which has produced cars since 1970, including the perennial best-selling Lada brand, never has manufactured automatic transmissions.

The auto maker last year launched its first model equipped with an automatic transmission: the Lada Granta low-cost sedan with the JF414E4-speed for small front-wheel-drive vehicles sourced from JATCO.

Earlier this year, AvtoVAZ launched production of a restyled version of the Lada Kalina hatchback and wagon, which also are equipped with JATCO’s automatic transmission. In both cars the gearbox is mated to a 1.6L gasoline engine making 98 hp.

It is not clear whether JATCO, which is 75% owned by AvtoVAZ’s partner Nissan, is involved in the new automatic-transmission project.