Ford Sign MOA for Joint Development of 9, 10-Speed Automatics
 

http://wot.motortrend.com/gm-ford-si...cs-269237.html

The idea of historic rivals Ford and General Motors working together may seem far-fetched or unbelievable to some, but the two companies have just signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop next-generation nine and 10-speed automatic transmissions for use in passenger cars, trucks and SUVs, Automotive News reports.
According to the report, GM will take the lead in the development of nine-speed automatic transmissions for use in front-drive and transverse applications, while Ford will head up development on 10-speed automatic transmissions designed for use in rear-drive applications such as performance and luxury cars, trucks and SUVs.

where will it become too many gears? Not saying that 10 is too many, engines do rev much higher than the old days allowing a larger use of gearing. They going to have multiple gear sets like bikes, 10 in the trasmission and 3 in the diff for 30 ratios?

Soon cars will have more gears than 18 wheelers ...

I'm glad Ford is doing the rear wheel drive version. Because every tranny I've ever had in a GM product was ****.

Ironic that GM has more RWD applications than Ford, yet Ford will be developing the RWD transmissions. Hopefully that bodes well for future RWD Fords!

As for the number of gears.......I didn't think my 5-speed auto in my 330i BMW was lacking. This seems to be driven more for reducing fuel consumption than anything else, surely?

Shoulda just gone to 11.
Codename: Spinal Tap

Meh. As long as the resulting product can reliably handle the hp and doesn't perform as inconsistently as Ford's DCT in its passenger cars.

I drove a Audi a few years back and I believe it was like 7 gear auto.