PEORIA, Ill. (Mar. 11, 2005) — Engine and heavy equipment maker Caterpillar is developing a complete line of fully automatic, planetary transmissions designed specifically for vocational applications.

Cat plans to begin production later this year, with availability in 2006. The new vocational on-highway transmissions are based on existing transmissions that have proven themselves in Caterpillar articulated trucks.

“Customers and original equipment manufacturers have been asking Caterpillar to provide automatic transmissions that can be matched with the Cat on-highway engines they are already buying,” said Caterpillar Vice- President Chris Schena. “When matched with a Cat engine, these new transmissions will deliver improved performance, fuel economy and reliability while giving North American vocational truck owners another choice in the marketplace.”

The six-speed CX31 transmission will be compatible with Caterpillar C11, C13 and C15 engines. The eight-speed super-heavy-duty CX35 transmission will match up with higher horsepower C15 ratings for on-highway vocational trucks.

Warranty and extended service coverage for the transmissions will be matched to the engine, the company says.