Fiat Powertrain Technologies, the Region of Piedmont, the Province of Biella, and the City of Verrone signed today a Protocol of Understanding aimed at  boosting and developing the Verrone plant.

Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT), a Fiat Group company, the Region of Piedmont, the Province of Biella, and the City of Verrone (Biella) signed today a Protocol of Understanding aimed at boosting and developing the Verrone plant. A new transmission named the C635 will be produced there for use on mid-sized cars.  It will be offered in three versions:  manual, Dual Dry Clutch (DDCT, a robotized transmission with dual dry clutch), and robotized.

It is estimated that Fiat Powertrain Technologies will invest approximately 500 million euros between fixed assets and research and development costs, which will permit achieving a production capacity of about 800,000 transmissions in 2012. Once it is in full operation, it could employ 1,100 workers, or about 600 more than current levels.

Production of the manual version of the new C635 transmission is planned to begin in June 2009, while production of the Dual Dry Clutch version will begin in September 2009 and the robotized version in 2010. The C635 DDCT transmission introduces a new technology in the automatic transmission sector and will be able to replace both current robotized transmissions and traditional transmissions. One of its special features is that it will significantly reduce fuel consumption as compared with traditional automatic transmissions.

By signing the Protocol of Understanding, the common objective of Fiat Powertrain Technologies, the Region of Piedmont, the Province of Biella, and the City of Verrone is to establish certain general principles, commitments, and procedures for future implementation by means of instruments that will be defined over time.

The Region of Piedmont, the Province of Biella, and the City of Verrone support this project on account of the social, economic, and employment impact that it can have on the industrial system of the Biella area and all of Piedmont. The participating local entities (particularly the Region of Piedmont) promise to reduce the time for administrative procedures and authorizations necessary for realization of the investment planned by Fiat Powertrain Technologies to a minimum. The Province of Biella and the City of Verrone will promote and organize a series of initiatives principally for transport and city planning. Furthermore, the Region of Piedmont promises to submit the Protocol of Understanding to the Ministry of Research and the Ministry of Economic Development for signing of joint program agreements in support of the initiative. A joint technical committee will also be set up at the Region of Piedmont Department of Productive Activities. This committee will be responsible for full implementation of the initiative.

FIAT POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES

Fiat Powertrain Technologies is the Fiat Group company that embraces all the powertrain activities of Fiat Group Automobiles, Iveco, CRF (Fiat Research Centre), and Elasis.  Approximately 25% of its revenues are generated by sales to non-captive customers. With annual production of approximately 3.1 million engines and 2.5 million transmissions, 20,000 employees, 15 plants, and 10 research and development centres in seven countries, FPT is one of the world’s most important powertrain makers.

THE FPT VERRONE PLANT

The FPT plant at Verrone is on the cutting edge of European mechanical production. In addition to being ISO 14001 and ISO TS 16949 certified, the plant received the JIPM (Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance) Advanced Special Award in 2005. The plant began production in 1974. The Verrone plant currently produces the C530 transmission, one of the high-end transmissions made by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and installed on numerous Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia models. The Verrone plant also makes differential shafts. The FPT plant at Verrone covers a total area of 1.875 million square meters, with over 100,000 square meters of roofed space. It currently has 500 employees.

THE NEW TRANSMISSION

The new Fiat Powertrain Technologies C635 transmission is a 350 Nm torque 3-axle model, produced in both the manual, 6-speed version and the MTA and Dual Dry Clutch versions. It uses an innovative technology that combines the easy shifting of an automatic transmission with the superior operating economy of manual transmissions. By increasing the capacity of transmittable torque, which reaches 350 Nm, the C635 will be used on various models of cars in the B, C, and D segments. One of the characteristics of the new transmission is the possibility of acquiring a decidedly sporty feel, realised by reducing the shifting time and absolute absence of interruption of torque being transmitted to the wheels.