Suzuki to Expand Automated Manual Gearbox Offering

Suzuki Motor Corp. aims to hike sales of its automated manual transmission by offering the system in emerging markets where automatics are rare, The Nikkei, reports.

The Tokyo-based newspaper notes that Suzuki began testing the market for its new Auto Gear Shift system in India three months ago in the Celerio five-door minicar.

The system mounts an electro-hydraulic actuator to a 5-speed manual transmission. The technology eliminates the manual clutch and is simpler and less expensive than an automatic transmission.

The system can be set to shifts gears automatically. But the driver can use the gearshift lever to select gears manually and hold them. Even so, the system will automatically downshift if there's a risk of stalling the engine.

Fewer than 1% of vehicles sold in India have automatics, but 50% of Celerio buyers have opted for the Suzuki shifter, according to the newspaper. Suzuki claims the system delivers fuel economy equal to a standard manual.

The carmaker plans to offer the system in more models of its models in India and expand availability to other markets, including Europe late this year, according to The Nikkei. The company also is working to make the shifting action smoother.