Dana Holding Corp. and Allison Transmission will use Fallbrook Technologies' Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) technology in new products under a "strategic relationship" announced by the three companies Sept. 13. Fallbrooks' NuVinci CVP is a traction-based class of continuously-variable transmission that is scalable and adaptable.  In the basic design, a set of rotating balls is located between the input and output components. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio. Compared to other current technologies, Fallbrook claims its is less complex, scales and packages more easily, and costs less to manufacture. Under the deal, Allison has exclusive rights to use the Fallbrook CVP technology to develop and commercialize primary drivetrain transmissions for Allison's end markets, which could include commercial vehicles, military applications, and certain off-highway and large stationary equipment. Under a separate agreement, Dana will hold an exclusive license to engineer and produce transmission components and other advanced powertrain solutions for passenger and certain off-highway vehicles in the end markets that Dana serves. For end markets Allison Transmission serves, Dana and Allison have signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic alliance through which Dana would exclusively manufacture transmission components with NuVinci CVP technology for Allison. Full-scale production of transmissions with NuVinci-equipped components in Dana's off-highway markets is expected within the next three to five years, while implementation in passenger and commercial vehicles is anticipated before the end of this decade.