Which company used TorqueFlite as a trademarked automatic-transmission name?

Chrysler Corporation used TorqueFlite as a trademarked automatic-transmission name. The name debuted for Chrysler’s three-speed automatic introduced late in the 1956 model year.

TorqueFlite followed Chrysler’s earlier two-speed PowerFlite and used a torque converter with Simpson planetary gearsets. Its original three forward ratios were approximately 2.45:1, 1.45:1, and 1.00:1. Early versions were notable not only for their engineering but also for Chrysler’s dashboard push-button gear selection on many cars.

TorqueFlite was primarily associated with Chrysler products, including Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial. The same basic transmissions also appeared in other applications under different names: Dodge trucks and vans used the LoadFlite name, while American Motors marketed certain units as Torque-Command.

A common mistake is treating TorqueFlite as a generic description for any automatic transmission. It was a Chrysler trademark and product family, even though related or licensed versions were installed in vehicles from other manufacturers. The name later returned for Chrysler’s modern eight-speed automatic transmissions.