BL gets into top gear
Page 24
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LEYLAND VEHICLES last week signed a licensing agreement with Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG (ZF) of West Germany which will enable Leyland to manufacture a ZF synchromesh gearbox at its Albion plant in Glasgow, reports MIKE RUTHERFORD.
Production of the new ;earbox (which exists only in )rototype form at present) will nvolve an investment of 7.5m at Albion which is being leveloped as LVL's specialist ;earbox and axle plant.
The gearbox involved — the ix-speed S6.36 unit — will be itted in a new range of Leyand medium/light lorries betveen 12 and 24 tons gvw to be iuilt at Leyland and Bathgate. "iearbox production will begin 1983.
Signing the agreement, ,eyland Vehicles' chairman nd managing director David bell said that collaboration is he only sensible way.
"Other joint ventures inluding Leyland and cornbnent manufacturers will 3110W and we now have much D offer in the way of new lodels."
Mr Abell would not, howver, elaborate on future joint entures but following the igning of this agreement rie first collaborative venture f its kind in which Leyland as been involved — further eals are bound to follow.
"The deal represents a remendous milestone in our evelopment," said Mr Abell. Everyone at LVL believes riis is the final chance."
He said that LVL is over the lorst and is now beginning its )ng arduous slog upwards. "It is not overstating the case to say that Leyland Vehicles is poised for an exciting new period in its history and the competition is well aware of that," he said.
Leyland is currently one of the few European lorry makers which does not offer a synchromesh gearbox throughout its medium weight range because Leyland engineers "do not have the resources" to develop the gearbox themselves. The Albion constant mesh box is essentially a pre-war design.
Under the agreement, 10,000 to 12,000 will be produced per year which will safeguard jobs at Albion and confirms LVL's commitment to the plant.
According to Mr Abell, LVL opted for the ZF agreement simply because "the ZF deal was better and more competitively priced than any other deal."
While the gearbox is aimed primarily at the new medium/ light range, it is possible that it could find its way into lower weight models in the 16-38 tonne T45 range.
German-built S6.36s will differ in detail from those built at Albion, and some are to be used by MAN.