Automatic tensioners have been used as Original Equipment on automotive accessory belt drives since the first application in 1979 (4.9L V-8 Ford Mustang / Mercury Capri). There are various claims made within the industry as to the world’s first production supplier of automatic belt tensioners for automotive accessory drive systems.

However, history confirms that Litens Automotive was the world’s first production supplier of tensioners – to both Ford (as above) & subsequently to General Motors in North America. Litens was also the first production supplier of OE tensioners within the European & Japanese markets.

Litens remains unique within the global autotensioner supply market in that tensioners continue to represent the company’s core product design & manufacturing capability. Over the interim years, through today, hundreds of millions of vehicles have been designed & equipped with automatic belt tensioners by the global automakers.

The use of automatic belt tensioners is now the world Original Equipment standard for all but the most basic accessory drive system layouts. Litens has retained its initial global leadership in belt tensioner design and manufacturing. Litens continues to be the global Original Equipment autotensioner market leader.