The invention provides an apparatus for shifting an automatic transmission having a shift position select lever. The invention selectively shifts the transmission to one of a plurality of different transmission shift positions. The invention includes a steering column positionable in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A switch is mountable in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and operable to emit a first signal representative of a desired change with respect to a transmission shift position. A motor generates a moving force and a linkage associated with the motor to transmit the moving force from the motor to a shift lever of a transmission of the vehicle. A sensor is responsive to a current transmission shift position and emits a second signal corresponding to the sensed current transmission shift position. A controller is responsive to the switch and to the sensor. The controller selectively controls the motor to engage in response to the first and second signals received from the switch and the sensor, respectively. The motor is mounted on the steering column of the vehicle.