You’re What Drives Us

Around the world, Allison strives to design, manufacture and implement new technologies that Improve the Way the World Works without sacrificing the reliability, durability and quality the company has delivered for over 100 years.

Allison customers have long sought the reliability, durability, productivity, ease of use and more that come with their transmissions. Here’s what some of them have to say.

Higher Productivity, Expanded Driver Pool + Increased Comfort

By transitioning away from manual and automated manual transmissions (AMTs) within a fleet, it becomes much easier to recruit and find new drivers. Allison’s fully automatic transmissions are easy to operate — similar to driving a passenger vehicle. Customers and partners enjoy an expanded driver pool with shortened training times and a much easier experience on the road or in the mud.

At Wyss Logging in Washington, USA, operating trucks on unpaved roads up steep mountains requires significant effort and concentration, of which a Allison-equipped vehicle provides.

“The driver pool where you get qualified drivers is dwindling,” said Andy Bishop, Shop Supervisor at Wyss Logging Inc. “A truck with an Allison transmission simplifies things. In the past, you’ve always had a jig rattling, you’ve always had to shift and think about what RPMs you’re at, what gear you’re in, the next hill coming up.”

Bishop continued, “With an Allison Automatic, it opens up [driving] to the person that has never seen an 18-speed or a 13-speed. A truck with an Allison transmission might be just the perfect set for that.”

Scott Brons, a driver for Wyss, felt that his job was simply better with an Allison. “The Allison transmission is awesome,” he said. “It works better here than a manual. Going out loaded downhill, that’s a challenge. But the transmission really helps hold you back, providing reliable control.”

For Trash Gurl in South Carolina, USA, a waste disposal company, even on paved roads maneuverability and productivity were causes for concern. Drivers got tired and sore from clutches in manuals and AMTs. Melissa Polutta, CEO of Trash Gurl, and her husband, Jeff Polutta, decided to replace their fleet of roll-off and front loader collection trucks with Allison transmissions. The drivers immediately noticed a difference.

“I don’t think I’d drive a standard in this city today without the automatic transmission,” said Tony Joyner, a driver at Trash Gurl. “It’s easier to maneuver tight spots because you have both hands on the wheel…you can concentrate better.”

“The Allison Transmission shifts a lot smoother,” continued Kyle Sweat, another driver at Trash Gurl. “[I] definitely wouldn’t want to go back to a manual, it’s just too much work.”

On- and Off-Highway Toughness

Allison’s partners and customers work in a wide range of varying vocations. From on-highway distribution and refuse to off-highway mining and energy, there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to a transmission. Simply put, one transmission cannot meet the needs of every job. That’s why Allison designs and manufactures products that can stand up to even the toughest conditions, such as in the mountains, in hydraulic fracturing fields, and even in the Dakar Rally.

One of Allison Transmission’s partners in China, LiuGong, utilizes the 4800 Off Road Series? transmission in their wide-body mining dump trucks.

“Allison’s deep understanding of the global market, and their ability to manufacture transmissions that provide unrivalled performance, quality, durability and reliability support our company’s development strategies,” said Zhou Changqi, head of R&D Center of LiuGong.

“In addition,” he said, “Allison Automatics are easy to operate, which significantly reduces stress for the drivers. The Allison 4800 ORS requires only periodic fluid and filter changes to maintain peak performance, resulting in more vehicle uptime and lower maintenance costs.”

When talking about vehicle uptime, there is no race tougher and more “up” than the Dakar Rally. In 2023, Team de Rooy, a rally team driving a truck equipped with an Allison transmission, came out victorious after a grueling 8,549 kilometers.

“Our goal was to win this Dakar, and we succeeded,” said Gerard de Rooy, Team Captain and Owner. “With the Allison fully automatic transmission, the teams were able to drive full speed and with full power to the wheels through the toughest terrains.”

When customers and partners require a transmission that can withstand harsh conditions, whether for mining, rally racing or something in between, there’s an Allison transmission that can do the job.

Moving the Industry Forward

Beyond specific customer duty-cycles and demands, the world is increasingly asking for alternative fuel solutions to reduce emissions, reduce dependence at the pump and improve the quality of life for communities. Allison listened.

The company is consistently looking for ways to meet these demands and has designed and manufactured transmissions, electric hybrid systems and fully electric e-Axle propulsion systems that deliver for customers.

Allison is stepping up to deliver electric hybrid solutions for transit authorities, defense and more. Allison’s eGen Flex? electric hybrid propulsion solution, with its capability to run up to 50% of a bus’s route in EV mode, has been the first choice of numerous transit authorities, including Indianapolis’s IndyGo for public transportation buses.

“The eGen Flex gives us…full electric capacity,” said Inez Evans, President & CEO of IndyGo. “So we’re going to be able to do [geofencing] around our city, [allowing] the diesel portion of the vehicle to turn off in a geographical location around our downtown core.”

Geofencing allows towns and cities to switch eGen Flex into fully electric mode for clean, quiet operation with full use of air conditioning and amenities.

eGen Flex helps transit authorities reduce emissions and save on fuel costs. In Santa Clara, California, VTA is integrating eGen Flex to build a cleaner fleet of buses.

“At VTA, our goal is to provide sustainable, accessible transportation options to the community,” said Jim Wilhelm, manager of engineering. “We look forward to integrating the new buses into our fleet to continue to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Innovation for Customers Everywhere

For Allison Transmission, customer input drives innovation. Every advancement in technology, design and function delivers more of what people need and expect from their fleet.

From Wyss Logging and LiuGong to the thousands of fleets that rely on Allison propulsion solutions globally, Allison will remain committed to customer demands with a heightened awareness for greener solutions and ways to Improve the Way the World Works.

You’re What Drives Us