The gearbox is built at a brand-new Irapuato, Mexico facility specifically designed to produce transmissions and will eventually find a home in the new Ford Fiesta and Focus. A total of 400 workers are currently employed at the plant, but that figure is expected to double when next-generation Focus production starts later this year.

"We believe this new automatic transmission for the Fiesta will be the most advanced in the segment, offering far better performance than our competitors," said Piero Aversa, team leader for PowerShift development. "It's an advanced gearbox that reduces complexity, saves weight, increases responsiveness and performance - all while helping keep the engine in its peak efficiency mode - resulting in class-leading fuel economy."

According to Ford, the transmissions do more than just save fuel and increase efficiency, they also cater to an ever-growing segment of the driving population that eschews manual transmissions. Ford says that manual transmission market acceptance has dropped 22 percent in the last 10 years.

While the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission is better suited to smaller displacement engines, Ford says that it is working hard to bring the advantages of efficient six-speed automatics to a larger percentage of its vehicles. This year, Ford says, it offers six-speed transmissions in 85 percent of its vehicles - a figure that will increase to 100 percent by 2013. The 2011 Ford Fiesta is expected to return fuel economy of at least 40 mpg on the freeway, partially due to the PowerShift transmission.

According to the automaker, the PowerShift transmission should also prove to be more durable and cheaper to maintain than conventional gearboxes.

"A dual dry-clutch transmission provides some real dividends on small car applications," said Aversa. "PowerShift with dry-clutch facings and new energy-saving electromechanical actuation for clutches and gear shifts saves weight, improves efficiency, increases smoothness, adds durability and is sealed with low-friction gear lubricant for the life of the vehicle. This transmission requires no regular maintenance."

Source: Ford