What brand transmission does Toyota use?
Toyota does not rely on a single transmission brand. The automaker sources gearboxes from several suppliers—most notably Aisin for many conventional automatics, JATCO for CVTs, and ZF for some eight-speed units—along with in-house hybrid transaxles that power its Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Overview of Toyota's transmission sourcing
Transmissions vary by model, market, and drivetrain. Here are the primary brands involved and the roles they play in the Toyota lineup.
The main external suppliers in Toyota's transmission program are:
- Aisin AW — primary supplier of many conventional automatics (6- and 8-speed) used across a wide range of Toyota models.
- JATCO — supplies most CVTs used in front-wheel-drive Toyotas and many hybrid configurations that employ CVT layouts.
- ZF Friedrichshafen — provides select eight-speed automatic transmissions for certain Toyota models in specific markets.
In addition to these suppliers, Toyota relies on in-house hybrid transaxles designed for the Hybrid Synergy Drive, which integrates the internal combustion engine with electric motors on a planetary gear system.
Aisin AW: a major supplier of conventional automatics
The Aisin AW family of automatic transmissions is a cornerstone for many Toyota vehicles. These units cover multiple speeds and configurations and are produced for global distribution, supplying a large portion of Toyota’s conventional automatics.
JATCO: CVTs for front-wheel-drive Toyotas
JATCO supplies most of Toyota’s CVTs used in front-wheel-drive models across various regions. These continuously variable transmissions are common in many mainstream Toyota passenger cars and some hybrids that employ CVT layouts.
ZF: select eight-speed automatics
ZF Friedrichshafen supplies certain eight-speed automatic transmissions to chosen Toyota models in specific markets, complementing Toyota’s own designs and other suppliers.
Hybrid transaxles (in-house): Hybrid Synergy Drive
For hybrids, Toyota uses its own integrated transaxles as part of the Hybrid Synergy Drive. This system blends the internal combustion engine with electric motors through a dedicated planetary gearset, and it is designed and manufactured within Toyota’s own ecosystem rather than as a conventional automatic or CVT.
Details by region and model
Transmission choices can differ by country and model year. Toyota periodically adjusts supplier arrangements and may use different combinations of Aisin, JATCO, ZF, and in-house hybrids depending on market conditions, regulatory requirements, and product strategy.
Summary
In essence, Toyota employs a multi-brand approach to transmissions. The core external partners are Aisin AW for automatics, JATCO for CVTs, and ZF for some eight-speed units, with hybrid models relying on Toyota’s own Hybrid Synergy Drive transaxles. This diversified sourcing allows Toyota to tailor transmissions to a wide array of vehicles and regional needs while maintaining its hybrid technology leadership.
