A strong result for 2022 shows why Allison continues to be the preferred transmission for the medium-duty truck sector locally. Important hires within the broader APAC sales team will ensure it is poised for an even greater presence in Australian fleets.

SYDNEY, 31 MARCH, 2023 – Allison Transmission, the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial vehicles, is celebrating double-digit year-over-year growth of Allison-equipped medium-duty trucks in the Australian market for 2022.

Nearly all of these sales came from Japan, reflecting close collaborations with well-respected OEMS such as Isuzu, Hino, Fuso and UD Trucks. The strong relationship between the Australian and Japanese Allison sales teams – alongside the Japan-based OEMS – plays a significant role in Allison’s longstanding success which, despite operating in Australia for more than 57 years, can still achieve impressive double-digit growth in a 12-month period.

“Australia is a leading market for Allison. We have a quality product and work very closely together to be able to articulate what is needed for the harsh Australian environment, creating resilient vehicles to overcome myriad challenges,” said Robert Cavagnino, Sales Manager Australia, Allison Transmission. “A robust fully-automatic transmission plays a key role in meeting that brief through its ease of operation, durability, reliability, impressive acceleration, competitive total cost of ownership and a strong Allison channel support network across Australia.”

Another key player in Allison’s future success will be newly appointed Director, Japan Sales, Koichiro Haranaka, who stepped into his role in December. Haranaka will lead all sales activities for both end users and OEMs in Japan while working in close collaboration with the Australian based Allison sales team.

Demand for vehicles with Allison fully automatic transmissions, especially those manufactured by Japanese OEMs, has steadily increased to now lead the medium- and light-heavy truck segments in Australia. To promote further growth in both the Japanese and Australian markets, Haranaka will expand Allison’s collaboration with OEMs and end-users in conjunction with our Australian team.

“Koichiro’s strong technical background as a mechanical engineer coupled with his more than 30 years’ experience in the automotive and commercial vehicle market will bring tremendous value to our end users and OEM partners as the Allison team brings superior propulsion solutions to the marketplace,” said Brian Geiselhart, Executive Director of Asia Pacific Sales, Allison Transmission.

Koichiro began his career at Isuzu Motors as a team lead for the drivetrain engineering department, supporting the development and integration of transmissions, transfer cases, axles, prop shafts and clutch systems. In 2002, he transitioned to Bosch Corporation where he held a variety of business development and sales roles of increasing responsibility for the exhaust and system components business for both gasoline and diesel engines. He has also held the roles of Manager, Transmission Control Unit at Continental Automotive and General Manager, Powertrain Products for Mubea Japan, focused on the supply of major transmission components for Japanese OEMs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Yokohama National University.