Who makes 8-speed automatic transmission?

Several global suppliers and, in some cases, automakers’ own engineering teams produce 8-speed automatic transmissions. The most widely recognized names are ZF Friedrichshafen, Aisin Seiki, and General Motors’ Hydra-Matic family, with additional in-house programs at major manufacturers.

Eight-speed automatics are a mainstay of contemporary drivetrains because they balance fuel economy with responsive performance. The technology has evolved to handle higher torque, deliver smoother shifts, and optimize gearing for both city efficiency and highway passing power. Different regions and brands rely on different partners or in-house development to meet packaging, warranty, and performance goals, which is why you’ll see a few dominant names alongside manufacturer-specific designs on the road today.

Leading suppliers and their 8-speed families

Below is a concise overview of the firms that produce 8-speed automatics and the families they offer.

• ZF Friedrichshafen AG — The 8HP family is among the most pervasive 8-speed automatics in the luxury and performance segments, powering vehicles from numerous brands and model lines worldwide.


• Aisin Seiki (Aisin) — Aisin supplies 8-speed automatic transmissions (often referred to as 8AT) used by Toyota, Lexus, and other automakers under contract, with variants tuned for different power levels and market needs.


• General Motors — Hydra-Matic 8L90 and related 8-speed transmissions in the Hydra-Matic lineage are built in-house for GM’s trucks, SUVs, and performance cars, offering high torque capacity and robust durability.


• Hyundai Motor Group (in-house and partner programs) — Hyundai and Kia deploy 8-speed automatics developed partly in-house, with sourcing and collaboration that varies by model and region to meet efficiency and packaging goals.

The mix of external suppliers and in-house programs reflects a global auto industry strategy: leverage proven, scalable architectures while tailoring gear spreads, control logic, and packaging to individual brands and markets.

In-house versus outsourced production

Automakers fall along a spectrum from heavily in-house development to broad outsourcing for 8-speed automatics. Here are the general patterns observed across the industry.

• In-house/brand-specific designs — Some automakers maintain core 8-speed programs that they design, validate, and manufacture largely within their own engineering ecosystems, prioritizing tight control over performance, warranty, and integration with other driveline components.


• External supplier–driven platforms — Many brands rely on established transmission families from long-standing suppliers like ZF or Aisin, adapting software tuning and valve-body hardware to fit their vehicle lines while benefiting from the supplier’s proven reliability and scale.


• Hybrid and regional variations — Production and sourcing can vary by region and model, with some markets receiving transmissions from local partners or joint-venture facilities to optimize supply chains and service networks.

Regardless of the sourcing model, the 8-speed format remains a versatile backbone for improving efficiency, torque handling, and seamless drivability across a broad range of vehicles.

What this means for drivers

For consumers, the transmission’s origin can influence shifting smoothness, acceleration feel, and long-term reliability. Vehicles equipped with ZF’s 8HP, GM’s Hydra-Matic 8L, or an in-house Hyundai/Kia 8-speed can exhibit distinct shift characteristics and tuning philosophies, even if the gear ratios are similar. Understanding who makes the unit can provide context for service expectations, parts availability, and potential differences in warranty coverage across brands.

Future directions

Industry trends point toward even more efficient and electronically optimized eight-speed solutions, with tighter integration between transmission control software, engine management, and vehicle electrification. Suppliers continue to refine clutches, gear meshes, and hydraulic circuits to improve fuel economy without compromising performance, while automakers pursue modular designs that can be shared across multiple platforms and regions.

Summary

Today’s eight-speed automatics come from a cadre of global specialists and, in some cases, in-house programs at major automakers. ZF’s 8HP family, Aisin’s 8AT lineup, GM’s Hydra-Matic 8L90, and Hyundai/Kia’s in-house developments represent the core ecosystem, with regional partnerships and model-specific tuning shaping the customer experience. As technology progresses, expect continued refinement in efficiency, shift quality, and torque handling across these existing platforms.

Who makes the Ford 8-speed automatic transmission?

Ford Motor Company
It is designed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company starting in 2019; the 8F35 is derived from the General Motors 9TXX family, which in turn was developed from an earlier GM 6T40 transmission.

Which cars have an 8-speed automatic transmission?

Many modern cars use 8-speed automatic transmissions, which are common in both performance and everyday vehicles from brands like BMW, Audi, and Dodge, thanks to manufacturers like ZF and Aisin. These transmissions are praised for providing a balance of quick acceleration, improved fuel efficiency, and smooth shifting compared to older automatic models.
 
This video explains the benefits of the ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission: 50sEngineering ExplainedYouTube · May 1, 2019
Examples of cars with 8-speed automatic transmissions

• Performance: Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, and Aston Martin DB12 
• Luxury: BMW models, Rolls-Royce Ghost, and Bentley Mulsanne 
• SUVs and Trucks: Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, BMW X7, and Nissan Frontier 

Key benefits of an 8-speed automatic

• Performance: Offers a sportier feel with quick acceleration, ideal for highway merging and towing. 
• Efficiency: Provides better fuel economy by allowing the engine to operate at lower RPMs. 
• Smoothness: Delivers a smooth and fast shifting experience. 
• Flexibility: Allows for more control and options, such as manual shifting or paddle shifters on performance models. 
• Compact and lightweight: Many 8-speed transmissions are similar in size and weight to their 6-speed predecessors. 

You can watch this video to learn how to use BMWs 8-speed auto transmission: 1mJVette01YouTube · Sep 30, 2024
Major transmission providers

• ZF Friedrichshafen: A major provider, especially known for its 8HP transmission used by many manufacturers, including BMW and Audi. 
• Aisin-Toyota: Known for the world's first 8-speed automatic designed for transverse engines. 
• Stellantis: Uses the ZF-designed transmission under its own brand name, Torqueflite 8, built in a joint venture with ZF. 

What is the best 8-speed automatic transmission?

The ZF 8HP (RWD 8-speed) is probably the gold standard right now.

Has GM fixed the 8-speed transmission problems?

The GM 8-speed automatic transmission from those models years has been a black-eye for the company with numerous complaints, recalls and TSBs to try to fix the numerous issues. GM has since redone the transmission completely and even moved forward with a new 10-speed transmission to leave that issue behind them.