Volvo Trucks introduced its I-Shift transmission on the North American market in 2007. Last year, 26 percent of trucks sold in North America were equipped with I-Shift and customers continue to report significant fuel economy improvements with the auto-shift transmission.
Since I-Shift is only available together with Volvo engines, which also helps promote sales of the company’s own powertrain system. I-Shift incorporates a host of fuel-saving and productivity-enhancing features into a reliable, durable, and lightweight design.
The transmission is currently assembled in Köping, Sweden and then sent to the US production plant in Hagerstown, Maryland for adaptation to North American market requirements.
The company is now investing $7 million in Hagerstown to build a new assembly line, install new equipment and tooling, and to train its employees. The new assembly line is primarily intended to supply the North American market.