In February, 2011, ground was broken for the construction of a 1 million square foot manufacturing facility of the ZF Group, a German automotive components company. Construction was complete in April of 2012.The plant is the U.S. manufacturing operation for ZF’s 8HP and 9HP transmissions–eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions for passenger cars that are currently being used by Jaguar, Land Rover, and Chrysler. These transmissions offer up to a 16% gain in fuel efficiency over a 6-speed, and a unique start/stop function shuts off your car’s engine when you stop at a red light and starts again when you put your foot on the accelerator, which also increases the fuel efficiency.
According to a company press release, the facility is the largest single venture in ZF’s history, with a total estimated investment of $600 million.
Continue reading this article on Our Upstate SC’s website. The article is written by Sharon Purvis, a freelance writer and editor who makes her home with her husband in Duncan, South Carolina.