Does Toyota use ZF transmission?
In most cases, no. Toyota primarily relies on transmissions from its long-time supplier Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., with in-house development for certain hybrid transaxles. ZF not a mainstream supplier for Toyota’s standard gearboxes.
To understand why this matters, it helps to review how Toyota sources its transmissions, where ZF fits in the landscape, and how to verify the exact gearbox on a specific model or market. This article lays out the current supplier landscape, notes any known involvement by ZF, and provides steps to check a model’s transmission if you need precise confirmation.
Who makes Toyota transmissions?
Here is a concise overview of the main sources for Toyota transmissions today.
- Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. — the primary supplier of automatic transmissions for Toyota’s mass-market vehicles worldwide.
- Toyota Motor Corporation — designs and integrates hybrid transaxles and certain specialized or in-house components for select models.
While ZF is a major global gearbox supplier for many automakers, it has not been a primary source for Toyota’s mainstream transmissions. Toyota’s lineup has historically leaned on Aisin Seiki for gearboxes and on Toyota’s own engineering for hybrid drive components.
ZF’s relationship with Toyota
Past collaborations and current status
There has been no widely publicized, mass-produced Toyota model that uses a ZF gearbox. ZF is deeply integrated with many automakers around the world, but public OEM catalogs and official Toyota disclosures do not show ZF as a primary supplier for Toyota’s standard automatic transmissions. That said, the automotive industry does involve occasional cross-supplier projects and component-level collaborations, so niche or region-specific arrangements could exist without broad visibility.
How to verify for a specific Toyota model
If you need to confirm whether a particular model or market is using a ZF transmission, use these verification steps.
- Check the official specifications in the model’s brochure or on Toyota’s regional website for the exact transmission model code.
- Use the vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and decode it through a Toyota service portal or a trusted VIN decoder to reveal the transmission supplier.
- Consult a Toyota dealer or authorized service center, which can confirm the original equipment manufacturer for the transmission in your VIN.
In most cases, the answer will be that the transmission is not a ZF unit, but always verify with official model-specific sources for accuracy.
Summary
Toyota’s transmission strategy centers on Aisin Seiki for most automatic gearboxes, with in-house development handling hybrid transaxles for many models. ZF is not a mainstream Toyota supplier for mass-market transmissions. If you need absolute certainty for a specific model or region, consult official Toyota specifications, dealer guidance, or a VIN-based verification.
Does Land Rover use ZF transmission?
First Generation: The 2016-2017 Nine-Speed Automatic
This transmission, designated the ZF 9HP, represented a significant technological advancement over previous 6-speed units used in earlier Land Rover models.
Which brands use ZF transmissions?
Many high-performance and luxury automakers use ZF transmissions, including BMW, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, and Jaguar. Stellantis brands like Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Alfa Romeo also use ZF transmissions, as do brands such as Bentley, Maserati, and Toyota.
European manufacturers
- BMW: Widely uses ZF transmissions in models across its lineup.
- Aston Martin: Utilizes them in various sports cars.
- Rolls-Royce: Employs ZF transmissions in its luxury vehicles.
- Jaguar: Uses ZF transmissions in many of its models.
- Land Rover: Fits them in models like the Range Rover and Defender.
- Bentley: Uses ZF transmissions in certain models.
- Maserati: Incorporates ZF transmissions.
- Morgan: Uses them in some of their cars.
- Porsche: Has used ZF transmissions in models like the 911.
American manufacturers
- Stellantis brands:
- Ram: Uses them in models like the 1500 and 1500 TRX.
- Dodge: Uses them in models like the Challenger, which is also sold as the Torqueflite 8.
- Jeep: Uses them in models like the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.
- Ford:
- Ford F-150: Has used them in certain models.
- Ford Super Duty: Has used them in certain models.
Asian manufacturers
- Toyota: Has used ZF transmissions in models like the Supra.
What brand transmission does Toyota use?
Toyota transmissions are made by Aisin, a company in the Toyota Group, and by Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV). Aisin is a major supplier of transmissions for many car manufacturers, including Toyota, and TMMWV also produces transmissions for a variety of Toyota and Lexus models built in North America.
- Aisin: This Japanese company is a key supplier for Toyota, and while Toyota owns a significant stake in Aisin, it operates as a separate entity. Aisin is known for manufacturing both traditional automatic and the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) used in many Toyota vehicles.
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV): This is the only North American plant that builds engines, transmissions, and hybrid transaxles under one roof. It assembles transmissions for models like the Camry, Highlander, Corolla, and Lexus ES.
Does Toyota use ZF transmissions?
One of the most interesting and modern solutions of recent years is the combination of Toyota's legendary 1JZ and 2JZ engines with the advanced German 8-speed automatic transmission ZF 8HP.
