Beijing, China - Allison Transmission of General Motors has been awarded contracts to supply 3,435 fully automatic transmissions to Beijing Public Transport Holdings Ltd.

Allison Transmission has received orders for 3,435 fully automatic Allison Transmissions for delivery in 2006 from Beijing Public Transport Holdings Ltd. The first order for 1,110 units of automatic transmissions was received in early February 2006 with a supplemental order for an additional order of 2,325 units awarded on 28 April 2006.

There are currently more than 4,000 Allison transmission equipped city buses operating in Beijing both in 11-12 meter straight buses and in 14-18 meter articulated buses. These orders for 3,435 transmission assemblies reaffirm Allison's leading position in China's commercial vehicle market. Together with a similar order of 2,200 units awarded in 2005, it will bring to 7,000 the number of buses equipped with Allison transmissions operating in Beijing by the end of 2006.

"We are pleased that we are able to maintain our excellent relationship with Beijing Public Transport Holdings Limited and we are honored that we are given the opportunity to be the supplier of these fully automatic transmissions," said Lawrence E. Dewey, President, Allison Transmission.

"We are delighted to be able to continue our long relationship with Beijing Public Transport Holdings Limited," says Steven Chew, Commercial Director, Allison Transmission China Operations. "We are pleased to support their on-going efforts to modernize the city¡¯s public transportation system and we are glad that we have been able to play a small part in that process."

Quality, reliability and local customer support are among the key factors behind Allison's success in China, while safety, durability, low maintenance costs of Allison products have been proven in Beijing's existing fleet, according to Chew.

"We have focused on meeting the needs and wants of our Chinese Customers and this has been reflected in an over 20 percent annual sales growth for Allison in China in the past three years," Chew added.

China and the rest of Asia Pacific offer significant growth opportunities for Allison Transmission. Allison Transmission is currently the leading supplier of automatic transmissions for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in China. By the end of 2006 there will be over 20,000 Allison transmissions operating in transit city buses, trucks and oilfield equipment in 26 cities across China.

To better serve its customers in China and the Asia Pacific region, Allison Transmission opened its first Product Customization Center in Shanghai in May 2005. The state-of-the-art facility provides a regional "order to deliver" platform and ensures that Allison delivers customized products with the shortest lead time.

Allison is trusted by more users and fleet managers worldwide than any other supplier of automatic commercial vehicle gearboxes. Founded in 1915, it now has over 1,500 outlets providing support for Customers in almost every part of the world. Its products have been sold in China since 1981.

Allison products cover a wide range of vocations including refuse, fire, off-highway, airport ground equipment, pick up and delivery, transit, intercity buses, coach and specialty vehicles. The latest development for Allison Transmission is a hybrid drive system for a city bus that will significantly improve urban fuel economy and provide lower emissions.