New integrated drivetrains speak a language all their own - and that's a good thing for fuel-conscious users

摘要

One surprising trend over the past few years has been the unprecedented market share growth of automated manual transmissions. Many OEMs now are reporting AMT take rates that would have seemed improbable when the first units appeared on North American shores. Volvo, Daimler Trucks North America and Paccar all report AMT specifications in more than half their tractors sold so far this year. While some drivers remain resistant to AMTs, every year more are won over by their ease of use and additional safety advantages. Fleet managers have found them to be largely bulletproof in terms of overall durability, performance and decreased maintenance costs in terms of clutch replacement. OEMs say that AMTs by themselves can deliver a fuel economy increase between 5 and 7 percent for a Class 8 tractor depending on application - another benefit enjoyed by users.