History and Heritage

History + Heritage

Throughout our long history, Allison Transmission has been a leader in innovation, creativity and continually pushing toward new advances in technology. Our heritage, starting in 1915 with James Allison, has been strong and steady throughout the decades that we’ve been creating fully automatic transmissions.

We were there from the beginning, with the invention of the world’s first heavy-duty automatic transmission, and even now Allison is the premier designer, developer and manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems.

Our experience and longstanding history have made Allison the brand to trust. Read below to learn more about our history and heritage.

1872-1917
Origins Era

1917-1939
Flying Aces Era

1940-1945
World War II Era

1946-1969
Postwar Era

1970-1986
Detroit Era

1987-2008
Back to Indy Era

2009-2022
Era of Innovation

1872-1917: Origins Era

James Asbury Allison is born in Marcellus, Michigan, eight years before the Allison family moves to Indianapolis.

Noah Allison, James A. Allison’s father, starts the Allison Coupon Company.

The Indianapolis Cycling Club, later called the Zig-Zag Cycling Club, forms as a haven for cycling enthusiasts. Before the club merges with a larger cycling club in 1898, notable members include James A. Allison, Carl Fisher, Arthur Newby and championship bicycle racer Marshall “Major” Taylor, the club’s first African-American member.

Construction is completed on the Newby Oval, a quarter-mile cycling track that is the brainchild of Arthur Newby, James A. Allison and Carl Fisher.

An unexpectedly large turnout at The New York Auto Show inspires many entrepreneurs to create automobile manufacturing companies.

While still a vice president at the Allison Coupon Company, James A. Allison co-founds the Concentrated Acetylene Company with Carl Fisher and Percy Avery. Avery leaves the company two years later, and the company changes its name to Prest-O-Lite.

James A. Allison, Carl Fisher, Arthur Newby and Frank Wheeler purchase 320 acres of farmland west of Indianapolis and begin planning the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Also this year, General Motors is founded by William “Billy” Durant, already a leading manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in Flint, Michigan.

Arthur Newby and Robert Hassler join James A. Allison and Carl Fisher in the creation of the short-lived Empire Motor Car Company, which is sold two years later to a group of investors. Also this year, to address durability and safety issues after initial racing caused drastic deterioration of the track, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway partners repave the original racetrack surface with 3,500,000 bricks. Plans are laid for an annual 500-mile race.

Planning begins on James A. Allison’s Riverdale mansion in Indianapolis, which would be added to the National Register of Historic Places some 60 years later.

The first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race takes place on Memorial Day with an estimated 80,000 spectators.

James A. Allison establishes the Speedway Team Company — the forerunner to what eventually would become Allison Transmission — to support his Indianapolis 500 racing activities. From the beginning, quality and workmanship are the foundation of the company's business philosophy. This quote by Jim Allison would eventually hang on a sign in the shop: “Whatever leaves this shop over my name must be of the finest work possible.”

Union Carbide & Carbon Company purchases Prest-O-Lite, the acetylene-gas headlight company founded by James A. Allison and Carl Fisher, for $9 million. Also this year, Jim Allison commissions a machine shop at 1200 West Main Street in Speedway. The next year, he incorporates the Allison Experimental Company, essentially replacing the Indianapolis Speedway Team Company, which he will dissolve by 1920. Norman Gilman becomes the company’s chief engineer and shop superintendent.

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1917-1939: Flying Aces Era

One day after World War I is declared, James A. Allison instructs his Speedway Team Company to cease all activities associated with race cars and cancels the Indianapolis 500. His engineering company focuses on the war effort, producing tractors, tank components and more. “Ace of aces” Eddie Rickenbacker, the United States’ most successful fighting pilot and a close ally of Jim Allison, wins 26 aerial victories during the war.

James A. Allison’s racing team wins the Indianapolis 500, but entrepreneurial pursuits in aircraft and marine engines lead him to sell all his automobile interests. Using the Liberty engine as a model, Norman Gilman engineers the Allison Twelve engine for Jim Allison’s yacht.

The Speedway Team Company changes its name to the Allison Engineering Company. By this time, the company's reputation for quality is firmly established, and it receives recognition from the U.S. Bureau of Aircraft Production for its Liberty aircraft engines. Soon after the end of World War I, Allison Engineering produces precision reduction-gear assemblies for the nation's Liberty aircraft engines, as well as V-drive marine gears, four-cylinder generator sets and 12-cylinder marine engines.

After World War I, Allison Engineering Company Chief Engineer Norman H. Gilman designs steel-backed bronze bearings that extend the service life and flight times of aircraft engines. After years of legal battles, the company acquires patent protection for the Gilman bearing in 1926. Soon, Allison will supply steel-backed bearings to aircraft engine manufacturers worldwide, including Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce. Also this year, Speedway, Indiana, is officially incorporated.

Charles Lindbergh successfully crosses the Atlantic in a plane equipped with Gilman bearings from Allison Engineering Company, forever changing the public perception of air transportation. Also this year, work begins on a 6-cylinder, 900- horsepower, in-line diesel engine for the U.S. Navy. The development of this diesel engine provides Allison engineers with valuable experience and foreshadows the company’s role as a supplier of transmissions that pair with diesel engine manufacturers worldwide.

At the age of 55, James A. Allison dies of bronchial pneumonia. He leaves behind a strong company respected for its expertise designing and building aircraft engines, gears, parts, tools and prototypes. Allison Engineering Company is listed for sale with the stipulation that offers will only be considered from buyers who’ll base operations in Indianapolis, where Allison Transmission's headquarters and manufacturing base remain today.

After James A. Allison’s death, ownership of the Allison Engineering Company transfers to the Fisher Brothers of Detroit, and Eddie Rickenbacker becomes president of the company for a brief period in early 1929. General Motors purchases Allison Engineering Company for $400,000, from the Fisher Brothers, and names Norman Gilman President and General Manager. Gilman ambitiously directs his team to design a 1,000-horsepower liquid-cooled aircraft engine.

The U.S. Navy signs a contract with Allison Engineering Company to design and develop a diesel engine in the 650- horsepower class to power its zeppelins, but after the U.S. Navy zeppelin Macon crashes off the California coast, the Navy abandons “lighter-than-air” operations. Allison engineers’ progress in diesel engines continues when General Motors picks up where they leave off and incorporates their ideas into GM products.

Norman Gilman retires, and O.T. Kreusser becomes general manager of Allison Engineering Company. Also this year, Plant 2 is completed.

Allison Engineering Company's V1710 12-cylinder liquid-cooled aircraft engine passes its 150-hour acceptance trials at Wright Field, making it the first 1,000 horsepower American engine to accomplish this task. The Allison V1710 goes on to power many of the U.S. Army Air Corps' most famous fighters, including the North American P-51 Mustang, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (used by Chennault's Flying Tigers) and the Bell P-39 Aircobra.

Because complex engines and parts must be properly operated, serviced and maintained by pilots, engineers, mechanics and other support personnel, the Allison Division of General Motors develops customer support channels for both military and commercial operators. To support these efforts, in May ground is broken for Plant 3 on 10th Street in Speedway, an office and factory building with a total floor space of 300,000 square feet.

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1940-1945: World War II Era

In March, the Allison Division of General Motors receives contracts from the U.S. Army Corps, Great Britain, China and France for engines. Also this year, Fred C. Kroeger becomes General Manager after O.T. Kreusser retires in February.

On December 7, Pearl Harbor is attacked, and the U.S. enters World War II. The Allison Division of General Motors’ V1710s, V3420s and their variants are called upon to support the U.S. Army Air Corp and the nation's allied air forces. Production climbs to 1,000 engines a month and changes models every 40 days. Prior to Pearl Harbor, capacity had been 225 engines a month.

The Allison Division of General Motors boosts production of V1710 engines for Allied airplanes fighting in England, Africa and China. Plant 5, a 2 million-square-foot production plant in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Maywood, is completed after only three months and 27 days of construction. Also this year, Allison is presented with the Army-Navy “E” Award for exceptional performance and patriotism on the home front, the first of four by war’s end.

As women join the workforce to support the war effort, the Allison Division of General Motors reaches a record number of female employees, more than 30% of the total workforce. Production at Allison peaks at approximately 3,000 engines a month, and employment reaches an all-time high of 23,019. On November 17, Allison’s V3420 engine makes its first flight in a P-75 Eagle. E.B. Newill is named General Manager of the Allison Division after Kroeger falls ill.

The Allison Division of General Motors produces its 50,000th V1710 engine for the Army Air Force and begins work on the J-33 jet engines.

World War II comes to an end. Orders for V-1710 engines are canceled. Yet in August the Allison Division of General Motors announces to the press the company’s intention to keep 80% of the workforce. Innovative projects, like a new marine gear requested by the U.S. Navy for barges powered by Detroit Diesel engines, are explored for further development.

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1946-1969: Postwar Era

The Allison Division of General Motors outlines an extensive post-war work plan, which includes bringing commercial production of shock absorbers, blowers and hydraulic lift pumps for other General Motors divisions to Plant 3. Additional projects include the first “M” model of the Marine Gear, the V-drive for GM Truck & Coach and the first generation military tank transmission, the CD-850, which will power the famous M46 Patton battle tank.

The Allison Division of General Motors continues building a substantial commercial operation at Plant 3 with major production of locomotive parts for General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division. Also this year, the first Allison "V" (angle drive) transmission is shipped to the General Motors Truck and Coach Division. GM buses equipped with Allison transmissions will transport millions of passengers throughout North America for more than 30 years.

As production shifts to transmissions and locomotive parts, the Allison Division of General Motors designs Powershift transmissions for the Euclid Road Machinery Company’s 40-ton diesel-powered mining trucks. Their requirements — 400 horsepower in twin-engine installations of 200 horsepower each — cannot be reached through manual transmissions.

The Cincinnati District of the Army Ordnance Department awards the Allison Division a contract to supply CD850 transmissions for the M46 General Patton medium tanks. However, Allison-produced torque converter transmissions developed for Budd Company are used in cutting-edge Budd Rail Cars in large subway systems for half a century.

As the Korean War begins, the Allison Division of General Motors makes significant durability improvements to turbojets such as the J31, J33 and J35 and receives orders from Martin Aircraft Company and Boeing to retrofit their plane engines to the Allison T40 turboprop. Plant 7 on Northwestern Avenue is leased for production of tank transmissions. Also this year, an Allison-powered plane strikes down the first North Korean MiG-15.

On January 15, ground is broken for an administrative building at Plant 3, which still stands as the Allison Transmission Global Headquarters.

The 10,000th tracked military transmission is delivered to the U.S. military.

The Allison Division of General Motors applies its transmission expertise to the application of front-end loaders and forklift trucks at the request of Clark Equipment Co. Also this year, General Motors’ Chevrolet Division explores options with Allison for an automatic transmission for its medium-duty trucks.

Maintaining a hold in diversified markets, the Allison Division of General Motors builds 161 Torqmatic transmissions for Budd Rail Diesel Cars and two new transmissions, the TG627 and the TG647, known as the Oilfield Specials. In September, Allison introduces the CRT5530, a new Torqmatic transmission for crawler tractors. Euclid’s new TC12 twin crawler tractor marks General Motors’ entry into the crawler market.

The commercial automatic V-drive for buses receives a major refinement: insertion of a two-speed planetary input splitter gear to allow quicker acceleration.

The Allison Division of General Motors finalizes a six-speed design incorporating the Allison hydraulic retarder for Chevrolet medium-duty trucks. Chevrolet is also the first customer for the CTP4 Powermatic, the first automatic transmission designed specifically for highway trucks. The new on-highway automatic transmission, employing a four-element torque converter, six forward speeds and one reverse, is introduced. General Motors, Ford and Dodge commercial trucks offer vehicles with the Allison transmission.

The Allison Division of General Motors introduces the VH unit, a member of the V-line transmissions, with hydraulic and direct clutches. Reo and Dodge join Chevrolet and list Allison’s MT25 transmission as an option for their heavy-duty truck lines.

As the Allison Division of General Motors celebrates its 100,000th commercial transmission, the TX200, a military adaptation of the commercial MT transmission, is released to production. The first units are delivered for M113 Armored Personnel Carriers in 1960. Diamond-T begins to offer Allison MT25 transmissions for their heavy-duty product lines.

The Allison Division of General Motors introduces new transmissions targeting mining, infrastructure expansion and urban development: the CLBT5940 Torqmatic transmission, the CRT3531 for front-end loaders and the CRT3321 for forklifts. Other Allison transmissions — the CLT3340, CLBT4460 and the HT70 — serve the heavy hauling transportation industry. Also this year, Harold Dice replaces E.B. Newill as General Manager.

In a year marked by growth, the Allison Division of General Motors announces two new transmissions (the CLBT6060 heavy-duty Torqmatic and the TT2000 hydro-powershift) and receives two substantial military contracts for CD850 transmissions, which are installed in M60 tanks, as well as a contract to develop the XTG411 for M578 recovery vehicles and self-propelled gun carriages.

In the year that sees the first production contract for the TX100 transmission, the Allison Division of General Motors ships the first pressure tanks for the Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM), and the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM). A total of 142 are manufactured over the course of five years. Apollo 7 through Apollo 17 all incorporate Allison Division propellant tanks, including Neil Armstrong’s historical lunar landing mission in Apollo 11.

General Manager Harold Dice undertakes division-wide reorganization and consolidation of the Allison Division of General Motors in September, garnering facility and personnel efficiencies between locomotive parts, bearings and aerospace.

With the intensification of the Vietnam War, manufacturing responsibilities for vehicles and ammunition at the Cleveland Army Tank Plant transfer from Cadillac to the Allison Division of General Motors, which allows Allison to continue to expand within the U.S. military. In recognition of its global reputation for quality, Allison earns a U.S./Federal Republic of Germany Main Battle Tank Program Award. This year marks Allison’s 50th anniversary.

Harold Dice retires in September and Reuben R. Jensen is appointed General Manager at the Allison Division of General Motors.

After celebrating its 40-year anniversary as a division of General Motors, Allison announces the new four-speed AT540, the first automatic transmission for medium-duty trucks.

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1970-1986: Detroit Era

General Motors’ Allison Division and Detroit Diesel Division merge into the Detroit Diesel Allison Division, with headquarters in Detroit. GM Vice President James E. Knott is named General Manager of the new division. Donald J. Atwood becomes General Manager in Indianapolis. Two new transmissions — the AT540 automatic and a heavier medium truck (MT) transmission — will go on to power thousands of passenger cars and trucks under the GM label throughout North America.

A new divisional trademark featuring “spinning arrows” is announced by the Detroit Diesel Allison Division’s General Sales Manager Emmet B. Lewis in February.

On May 15, 38 new Chevrolet Series 50 and 60 trucks equipped with AT540 transmissions tour the Indianapolis Speedway in Detroit Diesel Allison Division’s first “Driveaway,” a publicity event showcasing vehicles equipped with Allison transmissions. These demonstrations, known as “Ride & Drives” continue today.

The Detroit Diesel Allison Division opens a new International Training Center headquartered in Indianapolis in Plant 1 and Plant 4. Allison’s CLBT750 is announced as the first fully automatic transmission in the U.S. for large trucks, scrapers and other heavy-duty, off-highway vehicles. The fully automatic transmission becomes the standard powertrain for most U.S. Army trucks. Allison wins a contract for additional production of CD850 military transmissions.

Construction begins on a 664,000-square-foot transmission manufacturing building, the largest single facility expansion by Allison Transmission in Indianapolis since World War II. It will come to be known as Plant 12.

In February, the first new transit coach transmission since 1950 is announced: the three-speed, fully automatic V730. Hundreds of thousands of these transmissions will eventually power city buses throughout North America. In October, the largest single order for Allison AT540 automatic transmissions is received by Indianapolis operations.

Although Detroit Diesel Allison Division builds the last "V" transmission in 1976, General Motors New Look buses continue to operate with the "V" transmission in parts of North America through the late 1980s.

In May, two new transmissions are added to the product line: the TT3000, a “soft-shift” transmission used in 150 to 250 horsepower engines, and an MT643/653DR automatic transmission for use with large-bore gasoline and mid-range diesel engines.

An engineering application center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, opens to serve the emerging European market. Allison receives new U.S. military contracts, announces the CLBT9680 Powershift Transmission and produces the 250,000th AT-MT-HT transmission. To allow space for the X1100-3B automatic transmission, an addition to Indianapolis Plant 12 (to be called Plant 14) is built. Also this year, when James E. Knott retires, Donald J. Atwood is named General Manager.

In April, a new automatic transmission, the AT545, providing four forward speeds and one in reverse, comes off the assembly line, offering significant advantages for the worldwide medium-duty truck market.

In October, the Detroit Diesel Allison Division announces a new generation of heavy-duty automatic transmissions, designated the DP8962. Additionally, the HT 747 transmission the first of its kind, is designed and built for articulated city buses.

In September, General Motors separates Allison Gas Turbine (AGT) from the Detroit Diesel Allison Division. AGT goes on to become a standalone company that is later acquired by Rolls-Royce Plc. In November, the Detroit Diesel Allison Division receives the Ford Motor Company “Q1 Preferred Quality Award.” Also this year, the CLT9880 transmission is introduced for use in the production of oil and natural gas.

DP8962 transmissions are introduced for use in coal hauling vehicles.

In March, the Detroit Diesel Allison Division announces the signing of a license agreement with the China National Automotive Industry Import and Export Corporation for the manufacture of a range of heavy-duty, off-highway transmissions designated as the CLBT700, CLBT5/6000, and DP8000.

Allison’s first X200 military transmissions are released in June. On March 7, the Detroit Diesel Allison Division builds the 1,500,000th Allison commercial transmission, an MT653 automatic.

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1987-2008: Back to Indy Era

On December 8, General Motors announces that Detroit Diesel Allison Indianapolis Operations will become the Allison Transmission Division of General Motors. Roger B. Smith, GM Board Chairman, mandates that Allison Transmission Division's new general manager have experience with both transmissions and service. Newly appointed General Manager Robert M. Clark Jr. not only meets these important criteria but holds an outstanding record of leadership during his first tour at Allison.

Allison Transmission announces the AT542 transmission to be used in Class-A motor homes. Building bridges and a stronger shared mission, Allison General Manager Robert M. Clark Jr. and Robert Boone, Chairman of Allison’s UAW 933, successfully negotiate a new local labor agreement. The company creates the Enhanced Value Transmission Task Force to identify, evaluate and recommend action for opportunities to increase the value of Allison’s on-highway product line.

Transallison, a joint venture company between General Motors do Brasil and Moto Pecas, located in Sorocaba, Brazil, releases its first units of automatic transmission for commercial vehicles. Construction begins on the World Transmission Facility in Indianapolis. Eighteen years after its first Ride and Drive demonstration fleet in 1971, Allison Transmission expands the exhibition outside the U.S. with a nine-nation tour that begins in Madrid, Spain, and ends in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Allison announces a new transmission — the VR731 — for intercity buses on January 25. On August 1, Laurie Tuttle becomes Chief Engineer of Product Assurance Engineering, the first woman at Allison Transmission to hold the position. On September 8, Allison celebrates 75 years in business with an open house and events that draw over 18,000 guests, including employees, their families, customers, suppliers and other members of the Allison community.

Operation Desert Storm includes Allison Transmission products in nearly every medium- and heavy-wheeled vehicle sent to Kuwait. Incorporating ideas from Original Equipment Manufacturers, customers, suppliers and workers on the shop floor, Allison launches its third-generation product line, the World Transmission (WT). Now known as the 3000 and 4000 Series, WT extends highly competitive products from established United States markets to Europe, the Asia Pacific Rim and Latin America.

On February 19, an AT545 transmission is installed in the world's first fuel-cell-powered city bus. On May 22, Allison Transmission produces the 10,000th X1100 Abrams Tank transmission.

After Robert M. Clark Jr.’s retirement, John Smith becomes General Manager of Allison Transmission. Instrumental in developing new business strategies for each of the company's major market segments, Smith’s leadership results in manufacturing overhead cost reductions, quality improvements and increased assembly efficiencies. Allison builds the forerunner for the GM Allison hybrid bus/truck program and receives its first X1100 upgrade contract from the U.S. Army, which it will deliver through 2014.

June marks the last production X1100-3B transmission built, totaling 11,300 units produced since production began in 1979. Production will resume again in 1999. Also this year, using the Quality Network Suggestion Program, Allison Transmission saves more than $4 million, with a total of 1,686 suggestions from employees.

On April 22, Allison Transmission workers build and ship the first AT545R Series transmission equipped with an input retarder. On December 31, Allison announces record sales of 126,200 transmissions for 1995, with revenues of $890 million.

Daniel M. Hancock becomes President, Allison Transmission, following John Smith's promotion to General Motors Vice President, Cadillac Motor Car Division. Also this year, Allison collaborates with Aisin Seiki to create Aisin GM Company, Ltd., which markets Allison products in Japan. Also this year, private developers buy the building previously known as Plant 1 in Speedway.

Allison Transmission showcases electric hybrid shuttle testing at the Detroit International Auto Show on January 12. Also this year, Allison acquires 13 patents, a 30 percent increase over the average amount of patents awarded yearly to the General Motors Division.

General Motors and Allison Transmission launch an electric hybrid bus program for the New York City Transit Authority and establish a new manufacturing facility in White Marsh, Maryland, to produce Allison’s 1000 Series product. On April 13, Daniel M. Hancock and Dave Piper — President and Director of Engineering, respectively — dedicate the new Allison Electric Drive Technology Development Center. The 76,000-square-foot facility had been used exclusively by General Motors.

Lawrence E. Dewey is named President, Allison Transmission Division, replacing Daniel M. Hancock. Dewey brings years of global experience, including marketing, sales and product distribution of on- and off-highway commercial products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to the role. Also this year, the Allison facility in Szentgotthárd, Hungary, produces its first medium-duty 3000 Series transmission.

Allison Transmission is converged with the General Motors Powertrain Division, which designs, engineers and manufactures engines, transmissions, castings and components. Allison’s H 40/50 EP electric hybrid propulsion system for city buses begins production. The H 40/50 EP hybrids are accepted by Original Equipment Manufacturers globally. Also this year, the Allison Production System is transformed into the GM Global Manufacturing System, which includes the 5 Principles and 33 Elements of Lean manufacturing.

Allison phases out hydraulic transmissions and transitions to electronically-controlled products exclusively. Worldwide demand for Allison products prompts the company to expand operations in Hungary.

In November, GM announces that it plans to divest Allison Transmission, and the bidding process follows soon afterward. Five groups of private investment firms participate. Also this year, the military awards Allison with a contract to upgrade the X200-4A transmissions used in M113 armored personnel vehicles.

On August 7, The Carlyle Group and Onex Corporation purchase the Allison Transmission Division for $5.6 billion, and Allison Transmission, Inc., becomes independent from General Motors. Lawrence E. Dewey is named Chairman and CEO, and Allison produces its 5 millionth commercial transmission.

On September 23, 12,000 Beijing city buses running on Allison transmissions transport athletes, press and spectators to competition venues during the summer Olympic Games. Also this year, Allison receives its first “Zero Waste to Landfill” (ZWTL) certification for preventing all manufacturing waste from entering landfills for Indianapolis satellite facilities. The main campus becomes ZWTL in 2009.

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2009-2022: Era of Innovation

While delivering a speech in Elkhart, Indiana, President Barack Obama announces a $62.8 million Department of Energy (DOE) Cost Sharing Grant would be awarded to Allison for the development of its H 3000 commercial truck hybrid drive trains, which could increase fuel economy by 20 to 30 percent.

Allison Transmission announces the opening of a new multipurpose facility located in Chennai, India, which initially manufactures precision parts and assembles transmission components. Also this year, Allison dedicates Plant 16, its new electric hybrid manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, at a total investment of $130 million, and produces its millionth 1000/2000 Series fully automatic transmission at Plant 4 in Indianapolis.

As Allison Transmission begins the process for an initial public offering, President Barack Obama recognizes the company as a leader in electric hybrid technology. For the historic 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, Allison partners with Sarah Fisher Racing, becoming the only company to participate in both the first and 100th running. The Szentgotthard, Hungary, facility begins producing 3000, 4000 and Torqmatic Series transmissions for European and emerging markets.

In March, Allison Transmission Holdings Inc., begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol ALSN. Chairman, President and CEO Lawrence E. Dewey informs investors that the company will demonstrate its "constancy of purpose" by continuing to pursue several strategic priorities: expanding global market leadership, increasing emerging market penetration, focusing on new technologies and product development, and delivering strong financial results.

Allison Transmission’s propulsion solution technology is now included in an array of CNG-powered vehicles, and the Allison TC10, a power shifting twin countershaft transmission that offers improved fuel efficiency, becomes available for the North American metro tractor market. Also this year, the 6 millionth transmission is produced.

The Carlyle Group and Onex Corporation divest their interests in Allison Transmission. As part of Project ETHOS, an ultra-low carbon powertrain program created by Cummins, Inc., to demonstrate the potential of alternative fuels, Allison collaborates with Cummins to develop new integrated stop-start technology for medium-duty commercial vehicles. Also this year, a wholly-owned facility in Sliedrecht, Netherlands, opens to better serve customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

On September 12, Allison Transmission honors the company’s centennial with a day-long celebration including plant tours and history-focused festivities.

An updated model for the M1 Abrams tank, X1100-3B1, is released, and a new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle equipped with an Allison 2500 Specialty Series enters production.

Allison Transmission’s xFE models, with optimized gear ratios coupled with FuelSense packages, are released to further improve fuel economy. Also this year, 9826 and 9832 Oil Field Series models are released. Demand for the 5th Generation Electronic Controls exceeds 1 million units, and Allison’s 1,000th patent is awarded.

David S. Graziosi, who has extensive experience in finance and multinational manufacturing, begins his tenure as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Lawrence E. Dewey, who retires as the longest-serving executive in Allison Transmission’s history. Also this year, Allison produces its 7 millionth transmission.

Allison acquires the electric vehicle systems division of AxleTech as well as London-based electrification and digital connected services startup, Vantage Power. In September, Allison announces its acquisition of Walker Die Casting, a critical aluminum die cast industry supplier, and opens a purpose-built facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, to support the design, production and testing of potential electric axle technology.

The Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test Center opens on Allison’s Indianapolis campus, allowing seasonally independent and power-agnostic testing. Allison announces eGen Flex, a revolutionary electric hybrid solution that allows fully electric propulsion for up to 10 miles, as well as the 3414 Regional Haul Series. In October, Allison begins rolling out its comprehensive portfolio of eGen Power fully electric axles.

Allison Transmission partners with leading Chinese electric propulsion solution provider Jing Jin Electric. Allison expands its off-highway portfolio by launching both the FracTran, a revolutionary hydraulic fracturing transmission, and TerraTran for construction and mining applications, in addition to acquiring the off-highway portion of India-based AVTEC Technologies.

Allison opens its latest state-of-the-art facility in Indianapolis. The Innovation Center supports collaboration, digital engineering and simulation technology to advance Allison’s vision to Improve the Way the World Works.

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