DETROIT, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- American Axle
& Manufacturing (AAM) today announced the introduction of the
automotive industry's first disconnecting all-wheel-drive (AWD)
system. EcoTrac™ on the all-new 2014 Jeep®
Cherokee.
AAM's EcoTrac™ Disconnecting All Wheel Drive is a
new approach to minimizing the effect of inertia and drag on a
vehicle's driveline system by disconnecting many of the rotating
components from the driveline when they are not needed. AAM's
EcoTrac™ disconnects at the power transfer unit (PTU)
and the rear drive module (RDM) allowing large portions of the
driveline to discontinue rotating while in front-wheel drive.
These components include both the PTU and RDM hypoid gear sets, the
bearings associated with the gear sets, and the driveshaft. The
result? The benefits of an all-wheel-drive system without the
sacrifice to fuel economy and emissions.
"Traditionally, when adding all-wheel-drive capability to a
vehicle, it results in an automatic one to three mile per gallon
fuel economy penalty," said Philip R.
Guys, AAM Vice President Product Engineering. "We set
out to find a solution to offset this, and that is exactly what our
EcoTrac™ Disconnecting AWD does."
AAM's EcoTrac™ Disconnecting AWD can be engaged
with driver input or when Automated Transition Events (ATEs)
occur. These ATEs are 100 percent customizable and include
both environmental and dynamic events such as lower temperatures,
rain detection and changes in slope among others. Upon
receiving the signal from the AAM electronic control unit to engage
AWD mode, EcoTrac™ engages all-wheel drive seamlessly
without noticeable shifting to the driver.
"AAM is proud to partner with Chrysler Group LLC in providing
this industry-leading technology," said David C. Dauch, Chairman, President & CEO of
AAM. "Our new EcoTrac™ Disconnecting AWD
reaffirms our commitment to technology leadership and we are
excited that it has supported Chrysler Group's development of the
unique 4x4 systems debuting on the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee."
AAM's EcoTrac™ technology consists of many industry
firsts, including AAM's patented RDM with a side mounted Torque
Transfer Device (TTD). Thus far, a total of five U.S. patents
have been assigned to AAM for EcoTrac™. There
are nine U.S. patents pending relative to the technology.
Responding to the requirements of Corporate Average Fuel Economy
(CAFE) standards, consumer needs and global concerns, AAM's
EcoTrac™ Disconnecting AWD offers the traction and
control desired by drivers in all conditions, while improving fuel
economy and safety and reducing emissions.
EcoTrac™ is being manufactured at AAM's Three
Rivers Manufacturing Facility in Three
Rivers, Michigan. In support of this new program, AAM
has invested more than $100 million
in the facility and has hired more than 550 new associates in
2013.
About AAM
AAM (NYSE: AXL) is a world leader in the
manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and
drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis
systems and metal-formed products for light trucks, sport utility
vehicles, passenger cars and crossover vehicles and commercial
vehicles. In addition to locations in the
United States (Indiana,
Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), AAM also has offices or
facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan,
Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, South
Korea, Sweden and
Thailand.
For more
information...
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Christopher M. Son
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Danielle
Landolt
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Director, Investor
Relations,
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Manager, Marketing
&
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Corporate
Communications &
Marketing
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Communications
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+1 313 758
4814
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+1 313 758
4589
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chris.son@aam.com
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danielle.landolt@aam.com
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Or visit the AAM website at www.aam.com.
SOURCE American Axle & Manufacturing