Bosch Rexroth AG and Dana Holding Corporation announced that they expect to form a 50-50 joint venture to co-develop and manufacture advanced drive transmissions for the off-highway market. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect.

The planned joint-venture company is expected to operate in Arco, Italy. It will manufacture, engineer and market hydro-mechanical variable powersplit transmission systems (HVT) for the global off-highway markets. The transmission systems will focus on meeting customer needs for improved fuel economy, productivity, emissions and maneuverability. Both Bosch Rexroth and Dana will contribute staff, intellectual property and capital to the joint-venture company.

We are excited about the opportunities that this combination of two respected global off-highway transmission manufacturers presents," says George Constand, chief technical officer of Dana. "Together, Dana and Bosch Rexroth offer a broad range of complementary skill sets, which will enable the joint venture to deliver a unique array of advanced transmission solutions to the off-highway marketplace."

The planned joint venture will capitalize on Dana's experience in off-highway transmission engineering and manufacturing, as well as Bosch Rexroth's experience in hydraulics and systems. The two companies are currently involved in a joint project to develop power split transmissions for construction machines.

"The smart interaction of hydraulics and mechanics will be the driving factor for future innovation in drive transmissions," says Reiner Leipold-Buettner, executive vice president of engineering and manufacturing for Bosch Rexroth. "Only those with the best knowledge in both fields will master the growing market demands. Dana and Bosch Rexroth ideally combine both fields."