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Aug 22, 2012 10:10 AM

Volvo Trucks celebrated the latest investment in the  North American market recently with the start of I-Shift production at the  Hagerstown MD powertrain facility. Strong customer demand for Volvo’s automated  manual transmission played a significant role in the decision to assemble in  the United States. The Volvo Group’s $8 million investment also brings 50 new  jobs to the plant.

  Sales of the I-Shift automated transmission have grown  substantially since 2007, when Volvo became the first OEM to bring an  integrated automated manual transmission to the North American market. With the  I-Shift, Volvo was also the first to introduce technologies including a grade  sensor, Hill Start Assist, skip shifting, and Eco-Roll. The percentage of Volvo  trucks sold with the company’s proprietary transmission hit a record level of  more than 40% in 2011 and has continued to grow throughout 2012. Available  exclusively with Volvo engines on VN model highway tractors, the I-Shift is now  featured on nearly one of every two Volvo trucks now being built in North  America.

  The I-Shift transmission is central to its XE—exceptional  fuel efficiency—powertrain package, which reduces fuel consumption by lowering  engine rpm at a given vehicle speed. Volvo Trucks announced in April that the  XE package would also be offered with the 16-liter Volvo D16 engine.

  The $8 million Hagerstown investment includes creation of  a new assembly line, installation of new equipment and tooling, and employee  training. The new line increases the Volvo Group’s global transmission  footprint and serves as the primary source for North America.

  Volvo’s I-Shift transmissions were previously assembled  in Köping, Sweden, and then sent to Hagerstown for adaptation to North American  market requirements.