General Motors introduced Dexron®VI fluid for many 2006 models. This new fluid will retro-fit all older GM models. GM will no longer license the production of Dexron®IIIH (current standard) after 12/31/06.

Dexron®VI performs better in extreme conditions and takes longer to degrade than Dexron®IIIH. GM plans to make Dexron®VI the only fluid (approved and licensed) for the service fill market.

In a similar vein, Ford Motor Company is going to retire the Mercon® fluid and replace it with Mercon®V. As of 7/01/2006, no new Mercon licenses will be issued. All current Mercon licenses will expire on or before 6/30/2007. Mercon®V will service all older vehicles.

Because of the differences in shift performance and friction properties, it is unlikely that any chemical companies will be able to develop a combination Dexron®VI / Mercon®V product. In fact, GM and Ford would oppose it.

The current Dexron/Mercon fluid blended by many companies will disappear or will have to be renamed because the licenses for Dexron and Mercon will expire.

The fluid changes will not be widely apparent until next year. The attached chart outlines what the transmission fluid marketplace will look like next year. Also shown is the ATP supplement to transmission fluid combinations that we recommend.

We are working with our chemical blender to develop a supplement to make an equivalent to the Mercon SP. We will keep you posted on our progress.

Please keep the attached chart as there will be some confusion in the marketplace as the new transmission fluids become better known. We will post this bulletin and chart on the ATP website and include them in the TechDirect packages in the A-105 Dealer Marketing Kits.

Our upcoming catalog and wallchart will reflect the proper usage for Dexron VI and Mercon V.