The Y4M transmission is scheduled to be mated with Uzbek-built 1.2L and 1.5L gasoline engines in locally built Chevrolet Lacetti, Spark and Cobalt cars.
Output of the new 7-speed marks the beginning of the end for car assembly at the Vrchlabi plant, which will be completely focused on gearbox production beginning in January.
Toyota launched the Russian plant in December 2007 but sourced Camrys from Japan in addition to building locally. One goal of the new second shift is to enable the plant to fully cover Camry demand in Russia.
Mazda Sollers will have initial annual capacity of 50,000 units assembled from SKD kits. The JV plans to later add a body shop and paint shop and to double the plant’s capacity to 100,000.
In March, Magyar Suzuki CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said he expected production of 175,000 to 180,000 cars this year. However, the auto maker currently is forecasting output at only 155,000 units.