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Drivetrain Systems International

From Alfawiki
Drivetrain Systems International
Company typePrivate
IndustryAutomotive engineering, manufacturing
PredecessorION Group (Lavington gearbox plant)
Founded2004
Headquarters
Scoresby, Victoria
,
Australia
Area served
Australia, China, global automotive market
ProductsDrivetrains, gearboxes, automatic transmissions
Number of employees
167 (after 2009 restructuring)

Drivetrain Systems International (DSI), previously operating under the names BorgWarner Australia, BTR, and ION, is an Australian-based manufacturer and engineering consultancy specializing in drivetrains, headquartered in Scoresby, Victoria. Formerly, DSI maintained production facilities in Albury, New South Wales, where it manufactured drivetrains and gearboxes for prominent automotive manufacturers such as Ford, Maserati, Chrysler, Geely, and SsangYong. Additionally, the company provided gearboxes for the Mahindra Scorpio.

History

The origins of Drivetrain Systems International trace back to 2004, when the Lavington gearbox plant—established in 1971—was acquired from the ION Group. By 2007, SsangYong had become DSI’s primary client following Ford Australia's withdrawal in 2011.

In 2009, DSI entered voluntary administration after SsangYong ceased production and declared bankruptcy, leading to the loss of 230 jobs at the Albury site while retaining 167 positions. Affected employees were eligible for support under the Australian Government's General Employees Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme. That same year, Chinese automaker Geely purchased DSI for more than A$55 million.

Gearboxes designed by DSI were produced at Geely’s manufacturing plants located in Hunan, Shandong, and Chongqing provinces. In 2015, ownership transferred from Geely to Chinese investment company Shuanglin, which continues to manufacture transmissions based on DSI designs in Xiangtan, Jining, and Ninghai.

In 2020, DSI shifted its Australian operations to a modern facility in Scoresby to broaden its engineering services beyond automotive applications.

3-speed automatic

DSI supplied three-speed automatic transmissions designed for rear-wheel-drive vehicles with longitudinal engines to Ford Australia.

M51

  • Ford Falcon/Fairmont (EA)

4-speed automatic

DSI developed four-speed automatic transmissions for rear-wheel-drive platforms used by Ford Australia and subsequently SsangYong.

The M85LE transmission was introduced with the 1989 Ford Falcon (EA II) and Ford Fairlane/LTD (NA/DA) models. This design evolved into the M91LE in 1992 and later the M93LE in 1994 within Ford's large Australian vehicle lineup. V8 engine Falcons launched in 1992 incorporated updated versions: M95LE followed by M97LE (1994). The M93LE remained in use on Ford models such as the BF III Falcon wagon (2010), FG Falcon LPG variant (2010), and SY II Territory (2011).

SsangYong adopted a variant known as the M74LE of this transmission series.

M72LE

M74LE

Also referred to as the M88.

  • Dongfeng Future powered by a 2.4-litre engine (2005–2013)
  • Great Wall Hover available with 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre engines (2012–2013)
  • JAC Refine featuring a 2.4-litre engine (2005–2014)
  • Maserati Coupé equipped with a 3.2-litre engine (2000–2004)
  • Mitsubishi Zinger fitted with a 2.0-litre engine (2008–2015)
  • SsangYong Actyon offered with 2.0-litre diesel, 2.3-litre petrol, and 3.2-litre diesel engines (2005–2010)
  • SsangYong/Daewoo Korando available in 2.3-litre and 3.2-litre petrol variants as well as 2.0-litre and 2.9-litre diesel versions (1996–2005)
  • SsangYong/Daewoo Musso featuring 2.3-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol, and 2.9-litre diesel engines (1997–2005)
  • SsangYong Rexton offered with a 3.2-litre petrol engine (2002–2007) and a 2.7-litre diesel engine (2002–2008)

M85LE

M91LE

M93LE

Also referred to as the ION 93-4AT.

M95LE

M97LE

575R6

6AT400F

  • Englon SC7 powered by a 2.0-litre engine since 2012
  • Englon SX7 with a 2.4-litre engine starting in 2013
  • Emgrand EC7 fitted with a 1.8-litre engine from 2012 onward
  • Emgrand EC8 available with both 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre engines since 2012
  • Emgrand EV7 offered in 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre, and 2.4-litre variants beginning in 2013
  • Geely GC7 available with either a 1.8-litre or a 2.0-litre engine since 2012
  • Geely GX7 offered with options of 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre, and 2.4-litre engines starting in 2012
  • Proton X70 powered by a 1.8-litre engine from 2018 through to 2020

M78LE

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