Paris, November 2024 – 2TMC, one of the main players in passenger transport in the Loire department (France), shares its experience on Allison nine-speed fully automatic transmission mounted on the Otokar Navigo Giga. The operator particularly emphasizes comfort, optimization of fuel consumption and uptime of vehicles.

2TMC is a family business based in Sury-le-Comtal. The company of 135 people, including 120 drivers, has a varied activity operating regular lines in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, school transport, urban shuttles, local or regional transfers, and even tourist transport. For its operations, the company uses vehicles ranging from minicars to coaches, including Otokar Navigo Giga, equipped with the nine-speed Allison transmission, for its school transport activity. 2TMC is thus one of the first users of these new transmissions.

Since start of production in 2023, the Allison nine-speed fully automatic transmission has been fitted to Otokar’s Navigo Giga range. “The automatic transmission has become a standard for coaches. Allison transmission is an important aid to our drivers and a comfort appreciated by passengers. We were among the first in France to equip ourselves with Navigo with this nine-speed transmission version and we appreciate its important contribution,” declared Mr. Dufourd, President of 2TMC, who was won over by these coaches and their drivetrain.

The new Allison nine-speed transmission is designed to meet the needs of heavy-duty vehicles that operate in frequent stop-start cycles. It offers increased availability, fuel savings, high performance and low maintenance costs. “The nine-speed Allison automatic transmission allows for even more flexible and economical driving, both in city centers and on the road. This transmission provides smooth and rapid acceleration that meets traffic needs. The additional gears further improve the optimization of fuel consumption,” added Mr. Bourg, driver at 2TMC.

The new Allison nine-speed fully automatic transmission offers superior performance and transmits increased engine torque for applications up to 1,200 Nm. The change from six to nine-speed improves the gear ratio by more than 50%, thanks to a wider coverage and at smaller step sizes, compared to an eight- or six-speed transmission. This results in higher performance and lower fuel consumption.

This transmission builds on the proven durability of the Allison 2000 Series™ six-speed transmission, which has accumulated more than 160 billion kilometers (100 billion miles) worldwide. It is designed to use the same manufacturer interfaces as the six-speed version, making it easier to integrate into vehicles currently equipped with the Allison 2000 series.

“This new transmission guarantees the uniformity of our fleet. The controls, which are identical, make it easier to use and improve the well-being of our drivers. It also helps 2TMC to stay at the cutting edge of technology and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions,” said Ms. Gonon, 2TMC Chief Operating Officer.

“Thanks to Allison Transmission, 2TMC has a fleet with increased uptime and maintenance management is quick, easy and planned. This greatly simplifies the technical management of the fleet,” mentioned Mr. Gourmet, 2TMC fleet manager.