AMT to feature in 30% of passenger vehicles by 2020

Fiat Group-owned automotive component manufacturer, Magneti Marelli has suggested that its automated manual transmission (AMT) technology is likely to be used in 30% of the cars sold in India by 2020. At present, only 1-2% of the total passenger vehicles have the system.

At present, Magneti Marelli produces AMT kits in Italy and imports them as CBUs. The demand for units has been so great that the company is setting up a manufacturing facility at Manesar in the state of Haryana. The company could also use this facility to supply AMT kits to Japan and ASEAN countries.

The cost difference between AMT and manual cars is Rs. 40,000-50,000. A manual system just needs a hydraulic kit to be fitted as an add-on for an AMT to be installed. However, according the Magneti Marelli, the system cannot be retro-fitted.

Magneti Marelli claims that AMT cars are more fuel efficient than their manual siblings. Additionally, the system does not need a clutch to be pressed. This makes driving the car relatively stress-free, particularly in bumper to bumper traffic conditions. This is one of the reasons that the demand for AMT-equipped cars has been so high. The Maruti Celerio, which was the first car to be equipped with the technology, witnessed a waiting period of 6-8 months.

Tata Motors is also offering AMT on the Zest compact sedan. This is the first diesel car in the market with the technology. The company is expected to use the transmission in the Nano as well as the Zest petrol in the coming months.

Source: Economic Times