Allison's Chennai plant ready in 2010

Allison Transmission, Inc, the world’s leading supplier of commercial duty fully automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems, laid the foundation stone for a new India facility in Chennai on January 28. The facility is designed to meet the growing global demand for Allison automatic transmissions.

Once construction of the 203,000 square-foot manufacturing plant is completed, which is expected to happen in early 2010, it will also serve as Allison Transmission India’s regional headquarters with executive, marketing, and sales offices. In addition, the facilities are designed for warehousing and customisation. According to Lawrence E Dewey, chairman and chief executive officer, Allison Transmission, “We believe it is important to strengthen our local presence in India to support our growing in-country operations.”

India is an important market for Allison Transmission. It is one of the world’s largest economies and a global supplier of commercial vehicles. Allison’s investment in India comes at a time when global demand for the company’s fully automatic transmissions continues to increase.

Key local management staff in the areas of operations, purchasing, human resources and sales personnel are already in place.