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| '''ZF Friedrichshafen AG''' (meaning '''Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen [[Aktiengesellschaft]]''' which was until 1992 the name of the company) is a leading supplier of [[automobile]] [[transmission (mechanics)|transmissions]]. The company was founded in [[1915]] in [[Friedrichshafen]], [[Germany]] to produce [[gear]]s for [[zeppelin]]s and other [[airship]]s but moved into the [[automobile]] market by [[1918]]. The company helped produce the airship [[Hindenburg]] as well as truck parts for [[Hitler]]'s war effort. ZF is also known for designing and, amongst other firms, manufacturing the transmissions for most German [[Panzer]]s of World War II. ZF's most famous World War II-era transmissions are SSG 76 and 77 Aphon synchromesh transmissions used on tanks in the 20 tonne range. War-time transmission production also icluded the Panther tank's AK 7-200 synchromesh. After the war, the company was allowed to resume business producing automobile transmissions and other parts.
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| In the [[1960s]], the company began supplying transmissions to the major German automakers, including [[DKW]] and [[BMW]], as well as [[Peugeot]] and [[Alfa Romeo]]. A popular [[automatic transmission]] (the 3 HP 20) was introduced in [[1969]] which was designed to be an easy swap with the company's [[manual transmission]]s. In [[1972]], the company acquired '''[[Borg-Warner]]''', a major competitor. Worldwide subsidiaries and factories were opened in the [[1970s]], and the company moved into [[India]], [[South Korea]], and became a major supplier to [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] in the [[1980s]]. The company expanded into [[China]] in the [[1990s]].
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| The company is also known for its truck and bus [[automatic transmissions]]. ZF gearboxes are the among the most commonly used in buses. Among the most popular products for buses is the Ecomat series automatic transmission, introduced in 1980.
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| With the rise in popularity of the [[semi-automatic transmission]] in trucks and buses, ZF has also introduced one of its own, named the ASTronic.
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| Lemförder, ZF Sachs, and Boge are all divisions of ZF specializing in original equipment and after-market solutions for the auto industry.
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| == See also ==
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| * [[List of ZF transmissions]]
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| == External links ==
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| * [http://www.zf.com/defaultz.asp?lang=1 Official website]
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| [[Category:ZF transmissions|*]]
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| [[Category:Auto parts suppliers]]
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| [[Category:Motor vehicle companies]]
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| [[Category:Automotive companies of Germany]]
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| [[Category:Automotive transmission makers]]
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| [[Category:Companies established in 1915]]
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