AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BorgWarner (NYSE: BWA) supplies collated friction packs and roller one-way clutch assemblies for the new generation of six-speed front-wheel drive automatic transmissions from the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group. Consisting of five variants, the new transmission family will ultimately drive 16 Hyundai and Kia vehicles powered by 2.0- to 3.8-liter gasoline and diesel engines. Debuting on the Hyundai Grandeur/Azera near-luxury sedans earlier this year, future applications for the new transmission family will include Hyundai's new Tucson, Sonata and Santa Fe, as well as Kia's new Sorento and Borrego (Mohave), among others.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091023/DE97589 )

"As the first production transmission designed from the ground up by the Hyundai/Kia Motor Group, this marks a new era for Hyundai and Kia," said John Sanderson, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Drivetrain Systems. "Hyundai and Kia are relying on our 20-year partnership and BorgWarner's advanced technology to launch this breakthrough transmission. We look forward to continuing to support Hyundai and Kia's success as a major global automotive manufacturer."

Established as a joint venture with Hyundai Motor Company in 1988, BorgWarner's facility in Eumsung, Korea, has been supplying Hyundai with locally produced automatic transmission components since 1990. BorgWarner and its joint venture, NSK-Warner, subsequently acquired Hyundai's equity position and have continued to grow its operations to support Hyundai Group's emergence as a major global automaker. BorgWarner remains a preferred supplier of clutch products for Hyundai and Kia's automatic transmissions today.

Hyundai recently presented BorgWarner's facility in Korea with its 12th consecutive Five Star Quality Award for exceptional supplier performance. "BorgWarner's quality assurance programs, including computerized statistical process control and operator licensing, were developed internally and have become the benchmark for best manufacturing practices in Korea," remarked Hwan Hur, President and Representative Director at BorgWarner, Eumsung. "We are very proud that Hyundai arranges for other tier one suppliers to visit the BorgWarner plant in Eumsung to observe and learn from our manufacturing expertise."

BorgWarner Drivetrain Systems produces highly engineered drivetrain technologies for the global vehicle industry. Key product segments include: dual clutch modules; wet friction clutch components and systems; mechatronic transmission control modules; electro-hydraulic solenoid valves; mechanical clutch assemblies; all-wheel drive couplings, transfer cases and software/controls; and electric vehicle transmissions. These systems improve fuel economy and performance while enhancing vehicle stability. BorgWarner Drivetrain Systems is a trusted supplier to virtually every major light vehicle and automatic transmission producer in the world today.

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 60 locations in 18 countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. The Internet address for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com.

BorgWarner supplies transmission components for Hyundai's new generation of six-speed front-wheel drive automatic transmissions, which will ultimately drive 16 Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The new transmission debuted on the 2009 Hyundai Grandeur/Azera. Photo courtesy of Hyundai/Kia.

SOURCE BorgWarner Inc.