LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Citing the need to have powertrain components optimized to work together, Daimler Trucks North America has now added a transmission to its Detroit lineup, completing Detroit’s powertrain offerings.

The 12-speed, direct- or over-drive automated transmission combines a traditional clutch-actuated manual gearbox with high-speed, computer-controlled shift and clutch actuators, which automatically and seamlessly selects the right shift pattern for fuel economy and engine power. It will be matched with Detroit 15 engine in Freightliner Cascadia trucks initially.

Boasting that Detroit is now the only OEM that can offer a complete powertrain package (Axles were previously added to  Detroit’s well-known heavy-duty engine offerings), Andreas Renschler, head of Daimler Trucks, commented that he views the powertrain as central to the future generation of its products.

“It’s not just the heart of the truck, it’s the heart of the truck value chain. It’s worth more than 50% of the truck’s value,” Renschler said. “We are working to optimize the complete powertrain not just the separate powertrain components. We believe that’s what customers want and we believe we understand their needs better than providers of separate components.”

He added that when powertrain components are optimized to work together they deliver better fuel economy, performance and reliability.

Customer demo units will be available this year with production scheduled to start in 2013.