The Chinese auto industry is on a roll with possible penetration of the American market with an electric vehicle by one of its automakers, BYD. Now there’s talk that another automaker is looking to acquire a 30 per cent stake in German transmission maker Getrag. Yes that Getrag, the same one that makes the cog swappers for the Toyota Supra JZA80 and the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R.
Details indicate that talks are underway and that the deal could be worth $700 million but don’t elaborate further. Getrag has apparently been in the market for a partner since Dana Corporation sold back its 30 per cent stake to the Hagenmeyer family back in 2007. That makes the family the sole owner of Getrag at the moment.
If the deal does go through, it would mark the first time a Chinese automaker has broken into the German auto sector. Some of the other automakers that get their transmissions from Getrag include Ford, Fiat, BMW, Noble, Porsche and Audi.
So does this mean that we can expect a Getrag transmission in the next Dongfeng offering, if the deal is shook on? That’s as likely to happen as the Lotus Formula One naming saga coming to an end soon but expect the transfer of transmission tech to some of the automaker’s products.
Source: Autoblog
