In an automatic transmission (AT) in which an input shaft (Input) and an
output gear (Output) are disposed on the same axis and three clutches
(C1-C3) and two brakes (B1, B2) are selectively operated to provide six
forward speeds, first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are
configured to consistently reduce the speed of input rotation and output
the speed-reduced rotation, thereby enabling downsizing of them. The
first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are arranged in a
transmission case at both the axial ends thereof. Third and fourth
planetary gear sets (GS3, GS4) are connected to each other to have four
rotation elements in combination, thereby constituting a Simpson
planetary gear train. One of the four rotation elements (a fourth carrier
(PC4) in an illustrated example) is connected to the output gear
(Output). Rotations input and reduced in speed by the first and second
planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are input to sun gears (S3, S4) of the
third and fourth planetary gear sets (GS3, GS4), respectively. First to
third clutches (C1-C3) and a first brake (B1) are arranged to surround
the first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2).