GM marks production milestone for Allison transmission

General Motors Corporation announced October 19 the production of its one-millionth Allison A1000 transmission at its Baltimore transmission plant. The transmission is a key component of the powertrain for GM’s award-winning Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.

GM Powertrain’s Baltimore transmission plant was built in 2000, and produced its first transmission on December 5 that year. The A1000-series transmission was first introduced in the 2001 model Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty pickups and since then, customer enthusiasm for the transmission has been outstanding. In fact, the A1000-series transmission provides segment-leading torque output of 660 pounds-feet.

“Our A1000-series transmission is the benchmark of the industry,” said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing. “It’s a strong, durable and proven transmission that, when teamed with the Duramax diesel engine, outperforms any truck competitor in power and torque, while delivering good fuel economy, quietness and control.”

Don Burks, United Auto Workers Local 239 shop chairman, noted, “This is a significant achievement that not only highlights the productivity of our employees but also the teamwork between GM and UAW Local 239. It also demonstrates our commitment to building quality in every transmission – whether it's our first or our one-millionth."

The GM Powertrain Baltimore transmission plant is approximately 450,000 square feet and has 415 hourly and salaried employees. More than 175,000 transmissions are produced at the facility annually. In 2006, the Baltimore transmission plant was selected to be the exclusive manufacturer for GM’s all-new two-mode hybrid transmissions. Hybrid transmission production begins at the Baltimore plant later this month and will be installed in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrid SUVs that will debut in the marketplace later this year.