MADRID – Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional, electric hybrid and fully electric vehicle propulsion solutions, and TATRA, a Czech-based vehicle manufacturer renowned for its unique chassis concept with oscillating axle shafts to optimize traction, have partnered to underline their position as leaders in their respective fields in Europe. The two companies recently hosted ride and drive events in Italy and at the Allison Customer Experience Center & Drive Track (ACE) in Hungary. Additionally, Comercial Agrícola Castellana, a TATRA distributor, showcased the TATRA Phoenix 8P6R46 8x8 truck at the Demoagro trade fair in Valladolid, where an Allison 3000 Series™ transmission was also on display.

“It is the perfect time for us to introduce ourselves jointly to the European market,” said Trond Johansen, Director, European Area Sales at Allison Transmission. “TATRA’s dealer network has found that their customers appreciate the added value of our automatic transmissions with torque converters for applications in difficult conditions, especially on tough terrain, where reliability and maneuverability are key.”

“I have known Allison for quite a few years and we are delighted to be working together. Allison transmissions are the best in the world,” said Raúl Álvarez Carpintero, head of TATRA Trucks for Spain and Portugal. “Our short- and medium-term strategy in Spain and Europe is to increase market share and to be seen as a different truck brand by customers. The two companies are working together in Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Germany and Spain. Tatra has been supported with fully automatic transmission solutions, aftermarket services and spare parts for their vehicle platforms through NIMDA, Allison Transmission’s Authorized Distributor for the Czech Republic since 2007.

“At TATRA, we choose Allison because of the multiple benefits for our vehicles: 1) constant traction thanks to the hydrodynamic torque converter, 2) faster, smoother vehicle operation 3) ability to stop and start even on tough terrain (e.g., on steep slopes with a heavily laden vehicle), and 4) better drivetrain protection,” said Carpintero. “Allison Transmission’s patented Continuous Power Technology™ provides smooth, seamless, full-power shifts, superior acceleration and startability. Each shift is made automatically at the ideal time, allowing each driver to precisely manage speed and efficiency. Moreover, software configurations can be tailored to each application.”

Galical acquires a TATRA 8x8 fitted with Allison for off-road applications
The first Allison-equipped TATRA Phoenix 8x8 sold in Spain is used for agricultural applications.

“The farming segment in Spain is traditional and very demanding in many respects. Our offering is innovative in that we provide totally different equipment to perform functions normally carried out with tractors,” said Carpintero. “These vehicles execute extremely complex tasks. Allison transmissions have a great reputation for reliability and continuous improvement; so opting for Allison is a guarantee of success.”

Galical is a Galicia-based (northern Spain) company specializing in on-site agricultural liming, lime and dolomite packaging, cattle bedding and animal feed. The company recently acquired a TATRA Phoenix 8x8 fitted with an Allison 4500 fully automatic transmission from Comercial Agrícola Castellana.

“The customer was looking for a truck capable of working on uneven terrain and slopes whilst providing optimal gear-shifting comfort and response. The fact that this vehicle is fitted with an Allison fully automatic transmission that provides continuous, uninterrupted power shifting and is perfectly adapted to the features and complexity of the terrain was a vital factor,” said Carpintero. “Allison enables our vehicles to achieve even better off-road capabilities, making them especially suitable for very difficult, rugged and muddy terrain. The unquestionably great synergy between the TATRA chassis and the Allison transmission makes this TATRA Phoenix off-road vehicle particularly special.”

“This vehicle is perfect for off-road work and the Allison automatic transmission is extremely comfortable for all tasks,” said Genaro López, Chief Administrative Officer at Galical. “The truck has great maneuverability and is excellent for negotiating tough, uneven terrain.”

In May of this year, TATRA and Allison, along with Comercial Agrícola Castellana, participated at Demoagro, an agricultural machinery trade fair held in Rueda, Valladolid.

Allison and TATRA, hand-in-hand on the toughest terrain
The companies also recently attended Off Road Day in a quarry in northern Italy, where a TATRA Phoenix R46 was fitted out with a tipper body and an Allison fully automatic transmission with a torque converter and retarder. The rugged terrain highlighted Allison's performance in the most extreme conditions, underlining the importance of the company’s Continuous Power Technology, which transmits more power to the wheels, prevents power interruption during gear shifts, and guarantees optimal traction at all times.

“The TATRA-Allison combination is a huge success, resulting in a vehicle unrivalled in the industry,” said Dario Zarpellon, director of Zarpellon Veicoli Industrial, a TATRA dealer and organizer of the demo.

In addition, the Allison Customer Experience (ACE) Center, located alongside the company’s production center in Szentgotthárd, Hungary, recently hosted a Demo Day for TATRA dealers. The event featured a tour of the facilities and test drives of vehicles, including the TATRA Phoenix 8x8, equipped with Allison Automatics and automated manual transmissions (AMT) for comparative purposes.

“I really like Allison because their fully automatic transmissions are of great quality and make driving very easy,” said Robert Kerschl of TATRA Germany. “Our customers love them. What we have seen here is amazing. Everything is easier with Allison automatic transmissions.”

About Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) is a leading designer and manufacturer of vehicle propulsion solutions for commercial and defense vehicles, the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions, and a leader in electrified propulsion systems that Improve the Way the World Works. Allison products are used in a wide variety of applications, including on-highway trucks (distribution, refuse, construction, fire and emergency), buses (school, transit and coach), motorhomes, off-highway vehicles and equipment (energy, mining and construction applications) and defense vehicles (tactical wheeled and tracked). Founded in 1915, the company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. With a presence in more than 150 countries, Allison has regional headquarters in the Netherlands, China and Brazil, manufacturing facilities in the USA, Hungary and India, as well as global engineering resources, including electrification engineering centers in Indianapolis, Indiana, Auburn Hills, Michigan and London in the United Kingdom. Allison also has approximately 1,600 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide. For more information, visit allisontransmission.com.