Automated-manual transmissions back on?

Even under Daimler rule, Chrysler engineers pushed forward with what one engineer observer called a state of the art transmissions that eliminated most of the disadvantages of its competitors. The dual-clutch automatic transmission, a manual transmission with two clutches which was operated without the need for driver input, would be smoother than a conventional automatic or manual, and get better gas mileage than an automatic. It would, according to insiders, even be less expensive than the Mercedes five-speed automatic, though pricier than the Chrysler six-speed automatic.

This transmission was dropped, though, as Chrysler and Getrag fought a legal battle about who would pay for the factory where it was to be built. Nearly a year ago, Getrag’s division for building the transmissions filed for bankruptcy and all work on the plant stopped.

Now, the Kokomo Tribune quoted the Howey Political Report as saying that Chrysler may be interested in picking it back up, though they will face competition from a renewable-energy firm which wants to make solar panels there. The Tribune’s sources said that Chrysler had been interested in the plant a few months ago, but was not interested now.

The plant was 90% finished, with a half billion dollars invested. The bankruptcy court, acting in the Getrag case (unrelated to Chrysler LLC), gave the plant to a group of contractors who were owed money, ordering them to sell it for at least $45 million.

(Thanks, KCP Worker.)