Who makes the Toyota 10-speed transmission?
The Toyota 10-speed automatic is built by Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin) in collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation, and is marketed as the Direct Shift-10AT.
Beyond naming, this article explains the maker, how the collaboration works, where the transmissions are built, and which Toyota models use the unit, along with the implications for Toyota's powertrain strategy.
A Joint Development Between Toyota and Aisin
In the late 2010s, Toyota sought a more efficient transmission to improve acceleration and fuel economy over the existing 8-speed designs. Aisin Seiki, a longtime supplier of transmissions to Toyota and other automakers, partnered with Toyota to develop a 10-speed automatic that blends gears for efficiency with two additional gears for performance. The result is the Direct Shift-10AT, which emphasizes rapid, direct gear engagement and smoother shifts.
What is Direct Shift-10AT?
The Direct Shift-10AT uses a range of hardware and electronic controls that optimize shift timing and gear ratios for both highway efficiency and off-road capability. Toyota describes the transmission as having a "direct shift" design to deliver quicker response and improved torque delivery in the driving range where customers feel the most benefit.
Manufacturing and Partnerships
Manufacturing of the Direct Shift-10AT is handled by Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., headquartered in Japan, with production distributed across Aisin’s global network. Toyota oversees specifications and integration with its vehicle platforms, ensuring consistency across Toyota's lineup and its Lexus brand where applicable.
Here are some of the publicly known details about the collaboration and production footprint:
- Toyota Motor Corporation and Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. jointly developed the Direct Shift-10AT.
- Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. is the primary manufacturer that builds the transmission for Toyota applications.
- Production facilities for the Direct Shift-10AT are located in Aisin's plants in Japan and North America (with additional global manufacturing capacity as needed).
The arrangement demonstrates Toyota's strategy of partnering with a respected supplier to secure advanced, durable transmissions while preserving in-house control over integration with its vehicles.
Where the Transmission Appears
Toyota has equipped certain trucks and large SUVs with the Direct Shift-10AT, underscoring a shift toward higher gear-count transmissions in models requiring robust performance. The units have been associated with heavy-duty pickups and large SUVs in recent years, reflecting Toyota's broader powertrain strategy to balance performance, efficiency, and reliability.
- Toyota Tundra (2022–present) commonly cited as using the Direct Shift-10AT.
- Toyota Sequoia (2023–present) equipped with the 10-speed in its powertrain lineup.
These examples illustrate how Toyota's 10-speed transmission supports both towing capability and highway efficiency in its large-truck and SUV segment.
Summary
The Toyota 10-speed Direct Shift-10AT is a joint development between Toyota and Aisin Seiki, manufactured by Aisin, with production supported by Aisin's global plants. It is used in selected Toyota trucks and large SUVs, representing a strategic collaboration to deliver higher torque capacity, quicker shifts, and better fuel economy across the brand’s heavier vehicles.
End of article summary: Toyota's 10-speed transmission is the product of a collaboration with Aisin, designed to improve performance and efficiency for its larger vehicles, with production scale supported by Aisin's global manufacturing footprint.
