Shengrui unveils China’s first longitudinal 8-speed automatic
Shengrui Transmission has launched the country’s first homegrown longitudinal 8-speed automatic for commercial vehicles, aiming to break foreign dominance in the sector.
Shengrui Transmission has launched China’s first domestically developed longitudinal 8-speed automatic transmission for commercial vehicles, marking a step towards localising a technology long dominated by foreign suppliers. The new gearbox, unveiled at the company’s Weifang plant on 1 July 2022, is aimed at pickups, light trucks and vans, as well as other medium and large vehicles.
The new transmission is the first of its kind to be developed and industrialised in China for longitudinal mounting in commercial vehicles. Until now, the segment relied on imported gearboxes from established foreign manufacturers, with domestic brands unable to offer a competitive alternative. Shengrui says its new 8AT is protected by dozens of invention patents and is the result of a three-year development programme involving repeated trial production and testing.
Technical features and applications
Unlike Shengrui’s earlier transverse 8-speed automatic for passenger cars, the new longitudinal unit is slimmer and longer, with a higher nominal torque rating. It is designed to work with both petrol and diesel engines, and can be fitted to pickups, light trucks, medium-sized buses, large SUVs, MPVs and off-road vehicles. The company claims the transmission’s efficiency, noise, shift quality and reliability match international standards.
- Adoption of low-leakage solenoid valves for improved hydraulic efficiency.
- High-efficiency blade pump to reduce energy losses.
- Low-noise gear technology for quieter operation.
- High-performance friction materials for better durability and shift response.
Shengrui’s longitudinal 8AT is said to deliver higher transmission efficiency and shorter shift times, while retaining the comfort and reliability of its transverse predecessor. The new gearbox is intended to give Chinese commercial vehicle makers a cost-effective, locally sourced alternative to imported transmissions, and to strengthen domestic supply chains.
Market impact and localisation
Shengrui’s move comes as Chinese manufacturers seek to reduce dependence on foreign technology in key automotive components. According to the company, several domestic vehicle makers have already expressed interest in adopting the new 8AT for upcoming models. The ability to match imported products on performance and reliability could help Shengrui win business in a segment where international brands have held a near-monopoly.
The launch of the longitudinal 8AT also marks Shengrui’s formal entry into the commercial vehicle sector, after more than a decade focused on passenger car transmissions. The company’s earlier transverse 8-speed automatic, introduced in 2014, was the first of its type developed in China and won a national science and technology award in 2016. The new product extends that engineering base into a wider range of vehicles and applications.
Background: China’s 8-speed transmission development
Shengrui began developing automatic transmissions in 2007. Its first transverse 8AT was launched for sale in 2014, targeting passenger cars. The new longitudinal 8AT is tailored for the demands of commercial vehicles, which require different gearing strategies and durability standards. The company says the new unit’s modular design and advanced materials are intended to meet the varied needs of domestic manufacturers and fleet operators.
