Allison Transmission Holdings, the manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions, announced that it has purchased Vantage Power and AxleTech's electric vehicle (EV) systems division.

Allison Transmission has a more than 103-year history of technological developments: from James Allison owning the winning racecar of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 1915 to building every transmission that is in the United States Army's Abrams Battle Tank. Allison is building upon this with an electrification strategy that leverages and extends current electric hybrid technologies, develops new electrified propulsion solutions, and expands system and integration level capabilities in alternative propulsion.

Both of these acquisitions will complement its existing capabilities to advance electrification adoption in commercial vehicles.

Vantage Power is an award-winning London-based technology company specialising in developing electrified propulsion and connected vehicle technologies for medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers.

With particular focus on battery technology development, vehicle integration and control systems, as well as vehicle connectivity and telemetry, Vantage Power technologies have been deployed in a wide range of applications including complete electric hybrid repower systems for buses to grid energy storage.

'Vantage Power's entrepreneurial spirit and technological advancements complement our strategic priorities to meet and exceed our customers' demands,' said David S Graziosi, President and CEO of Allison Transmission.

'Through this and other growth initiatives, we will continue to build upon our conventional and electric hybrid products today while differentiating ourselves in the electrification and fuel cell markets'

AxleTech is a technology company that designs, engineers, manufactures, sells and services axles and integrated electrified axle solutions for on- and off-highway heavy-duty commercial vehicles. With industrial roots established in 1919, the company's nearly 800 worldwide employees drive the company to develop advanced powertrain systems, axles, components and aftermarket parts for global customers. The EV systems division is located at AxleTech's headquarters in Troy, Michigan.

'AxleTech's highly integrated solutions in the EV space and their presence in Allison's end markets complement our position as a leading propulsion solutions provider,' said Graziosi.

'The talented individuals and products within AxleTech's EV systems division and their capabilities will combine well with the expertise of our current products to create and provide unmatched propulsion solutions,' said David.