The Board of Antonov is delighted to announce that Powertrain Ltd, the UK's largest independent motor engine and transmission manufacturer, has acquired a licence to produce Antonov’s new 6 speed AAD electronic automatic transmission and also its new dual clutch transmission, the DCA.

The two companies have worked together on a prototype of this transmission technology since signing a Heads of Agreement in February 2004 and significant progress has been made to date towards production readiness and the commercialisation of the technology.

A Rover Streetwise car has been fitted with the 5th generation 6 speed AAD planetary transmission and over the next few months the technology will be tested by OEM’s to facilitate series production beginning in 2006.

In addition the two companies will complete the design and development work on an all new dual clutch 6 and 7 speed transmission system, available as both manual and automatic variants, with running demonstrators currently being manufactured for OEM appraisal within 6 months.

Roumen Antonov, Chairman, said,

"This is both a tremendous achievement and significant global opportunity for Antonov. Our transmission systems and technologies have been endorsed by a major engine and transmission manufacturer with our 6 speed transmission system scheduled for mass production in 2006. Further product range development is under way and I am confident of announcing further significant progress in due course."

Fraser Welford-Winton, Managing Director Powertrain Ltd, said,

"Antonov’s technology is clearly very impressive and consumers will benefit from its efficiencies when series production begins in 2006. Powertain will continue working with Antonov on an on-going basis with regards to product development, as we believe this combined skill set is both very powerful and capable of generating significant commercial interest."

Powertrain Ltd is a British company, which designs, manufactures and markets the award winning K Series petrol engine, L Series diesel engine and PG1 transmission to a wide client portfolio including MG, Rover, Land Rover, Lotus, Caterham and Gibbs. Applications for its engines extend to: racing cars, 4 x 4s, sports cars, sports saloons, exclusive sedans, family hatchbacks, vans and even hovercraft.

The business, which delivered £212 million of turnover in 2003, is set to expand both in Europe and further a field. The company has a global perspective and in addition to mainstream automotive business it is also working on exploring non-automotive market potential.