Automotive Axles Ltd. (AAL), a joint venture of Kalyani Group and Meritor Inc., announced at its 30th anniversary celebration that it will launch its first “green” axle, the new two-speed model MS 13 240. The axle is suited for a wide range of commercial vehicles, including 4X2 dump applications, as well as 4X2, 6X2 and 8X2 haulage vehicles. The MS 13 240 series will enter full production in mid-2011.
“Using proven drivetrain technology, we’ve developed a new two-speed axle for India that increases operational efficiency with extreme grade capability,” says Ashok Rao, AAL president. “With access to a global network of expertise, we are developing ‘green’ products engineered to provide our customers with axle solutions that offer energy efficiency, superior performance and reliability.”
AAL’s new two-speed axle is customized for local operating conditions while using technology developed for Meritor axle applications in various regions of the world. “The MS 13 240 axle not only provides increased fuel efficiency, it also improves turnaround time,” says Raghunathan Sundararajan, vice president of Meritor India.
The MS 13 240 is about 6-8 percent more fuel efficient than a conventional axle configuration and offers traction-on-demand, allowing the driver to manage difficult gradients effectively. The multiple ratio design facilitates fast track road infrastructure and hill climbing. The axle is available in nine ratio sets ranging from 4.10/5.59 to 7.17/9.77.
