Assembly of Mack’s mDrive automated manual transmission (AMT) recently commenced at the company’s Hagerstown powertrain plant in the US state of Maryland. Mack driveline components have been built at this facility since 1961.
“Expanding our manufacturing activities in the US is important to Mack,” said Kevin Flaherty, president of Mack Trucks North American sales & marketing. “Bringing mDrive assembly to the Hagerstown facility while also meeting the growing demand we’ve seen since the transmission’s introduction in 2010 exemplifies our commitment to investing in what our customers need.”
More than a third of the highway trucks currently rolling off the assembly line at Mack’s Macungie, Pennsylvania, truck plant feature the automated manual transmission which is available in Mack’s Pinnacle prime mover.
The mDrive AMT, which provides potential for significantly improved fuel efficiency compared to manual units, is designed and engineered to work exclusively with the MP series engines as part of Mack’s ‘Pedigree’ powertrain offering where the engine, transmission and drive axles are all Mack proprietary components.
“The mDrive transmission allows Mack to further capitalise on its 112-year legacy as an integrated manufacturer delivering improved fuel efficiency, better drivability and enhanced driver satisfaction,” Flaherty added. “Smooth automated shifting continues to win driver favour as a growing number of customers, including bulk liquid and fuel haulers, transition their fleets to mDrive (which) is simple to use and contributes to safety and driver retention.”
US production of the transmission was made possible through an $8 million investment in the Hagerstown manufacturing plant to create a new assembly line, install the necessary equipment and train personnel. The investment also created 50 new jobs at the facility.