What company makes Toyota transmissions?
Toyota relies on a network of specialist suppliers for its transmissions, with Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. serving as the primary manufacturer. The arrangement spans decades and includes regional variations and partnerships for specific models.
The primary maker of Toyota transmissions is Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin). In addition to Aisin, Toyota sources CVTs and some specialty transmissions from other suppliers in certain markets, notably JATCO for some CVT applications.
Aisin Seiki: the backbone of Toyota transmissions
Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. is a longstanding partner of Toyota and provides the bulk of automatic transmissions and many CVT units used across Toyota and Lexus models. The Aisin group’s transmission subsidiaries design, engineer, and manufacture a wide range of units that Toyota integrates into its vehicles through joint development and supply agreements.
What is Aisin Seiki?
Aisin Seiki is a major Japanese automotive supplier and part of the broader Aisin Group. Its transmission division, including the Aisin AW (Automatic Transmission) line, produces many of the automatic and continuously variable transmissions found in Toyota vehicles around the world. The collaboration between Toyota and Aisin has helped Toyota standardize gear trains, improve efficiency, and streamline global production.
Other suppliers and regional variations
While Aisin Seiki supplies the vast majority of Toyota transmissions, the company occasionally supplements this with other suppliers to meet regional demand or model-specific needs. This includes CVT units sourced from other manufacturers for certain markets or models.
Below are the main secondary suppliers and how they fit into Toyota’s transmission strategy.
- JATCO – A Japanese CVT specialist that has supplied CVT units to some Toyota models in certain markets, providing alternative CVT options alongside Aisin.
- Other regional or model-specific arrangements – Toyota may partner with additional suppliers for niche applications, performance variants, or market-specific requirements as part of its global supply network.
These arrangements illustrate Toyota’s diversified approach to securing transmission components, ensuring availability across markets while leveraging established engineering collaborations that emphasize efficiency and reliability.
Summary
In short, Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. is the primary manufacturer of Toyota transmissions, forming the core of Toyota’s transmission supply chain. Toyota also uses CVTs and other transmission units from JATCO and other suppliers in specific markets or for particular models, reflecting a diversified global strategy.
Who makes the CVT transmission for Toyota?
Toyota CVTs are made by Aisin, which is a subsidiary of the Toyota Group. Aisin develops and produces transmissions for Toyota, and their products are often based on shared design concepts with Toyota.
- Aisin: Aisin is a major Japanese automotive supplier that is a member of the Toyota Group, according to this Wikipedia article and this Reddit post. They are responsible for manufacturing many of Toyota's transmissions, including various CVTs.
- Toyota's relationship with Aisin: Toyota has always relied on its subsidiary, Aisin, for its transmissions.
- Other manufacturers: Other automakers have different suppliers for their CVTs, such as Jatco (used by Nissan and Mitsubishi) and Honda (which makes its own).
Where are Toyota transmissions made?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc. is Toyota's only combined engine and transmission plant in North America.
Who makes Toyota transmissions?
Aisin-Warner
Toyota Motor Corporation's A family is a family of automatic FWD/RWD/4WD/AWD transmissions built by Aisin-Warner.
What kind of transmission does Toyota use?
Toyota uses several types of transmissions, including a wide variety of CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and traditional automatic transmissions with multiple gears, as well as manual transmissions. Many of their hybrid models use a unique E-CVT (Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission), which is a power-split device with a planetary gear set, not a belt-and-pulley system like a traditional CVT. Toyota also produces its own manual and automatic transmissions.
Types of transmissions used by Toyota
- CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission): Used in many non-hybrid models, the CVT provides a seamless and smooth ride by continuously changing gear ratios instead of shifting through fixed gears.
- Traditional Automatic Transmission: Toyota has developed its own 8-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions (Direct Shift-8AT and Direct Shift-10AT) to improve fuel efficiency and performance.
- E-CVT (Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission): Found in Toyota's hybrid models, the E-CVT uses a planetary gear set to blend power from the engine and electric motors, allowing for infinite gear ratios to optimize efficiency.
- Manual Transmission: Toyota also continues to offer manual transmissions in many of its vehicles.
Other details
- Aisin: Many of Toyota's transmissions, both automatic and manual, are manufactured by Aisin, an automotive parts supplier that is part of the Toyota Group.
- Dynamic-Shift CVT: This is a hybrid CVT that incorporates a physical first gear and a launch gear for more responsive feel in certain models.
