The Smoother-E Autoshift was engineered as a new AMT(Automated Manual Transmission) system, that provides "economic efficiency" as well as "Easy Drive Commercial Vehicle" characteristics.

A newly developed electro-magnetic solenoid type gearshift unit made it possible to electronically control gearshift operations (gear selection by gearshift/selector) done manually in the past. A sequential manual mode transmission function through the +/- operation of the change lever was added to automatic gear shifting, making it possible to select driving modes in accordance with the driving situation. Through the use of an electro-magnetic solenoid type gearshift unit, we were able to overcome the "shift time lag" problem, a weakness in AMT designs of the past, to a level sufficient for a commercial vehicle, while also realizing a smooth gearshift with almost no shift shock. The "low speed driving performance" problem inherent with conventional dry clutch type AMT units was solved by using the creeping force of a fluid coupling system, making smooth low speed driving possible.

"Smoother-E Autoshift" tried to realize excellent economic efficiency through fuel consumption levels comparable with ordinary MTs, and the reduction of maintenance costs by making clutch replacements unnecessary. In addition, selecting the automatic upshift and downshift in the automatic gear shifting mode, makes it possible to realize stable fuel-efficient driving by limiting the variance caused by differences in driver skills.

The second target was to significantly reduce driver load compared with conventional manual gearshifts, making it possible for the driver to concentrate on safe, environment conscious, and sales driving, by providing a complete 2 pedal driving+automatic gear shifting transmission.