Dana Powers into Technology & Maintenance Council's 2014 Annual Meeting with Innovations for Increasing Commercial-Vehicle Productivity

Mar 10, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This week at the Technology & Maintenance Council's 2014 Annual Meeting, Dana Holding Corporation (NYSE: DAN) will demonstrate the company's leadership in advanced drivetrain technologies specifically designed to increase efficiency and fuel economy, improve reliability, reduce vehicle weight, and decrease total ownership costs.

This week in booth 1202, Dana will exhibit a wide range of commercial-vehicle innovations, including:

  • the Spicer® AdvanTEK® 40 axle, a new 40,000-lb. tandem axle that offers the industry's fastest axle ratio of 2.26:1;
  • the Spicer® EconoTrek™ 6x2 tandem axle, which is now available for 2014 Peterbilt and Kenworth commercial vehicles;
  • two extensions to the Spicer® S140 Series of single-reduction, single-drive axles;
  • the Spicer® Pro-40™ tandem axle specifically engineered for professional line haul, regional haul, and city delivery customers;
  • robust Spicer Life Series® main driveshafts and inter-axle shafts for high-efficiency drivetrain configurations;
  • the Spicer® Diamond Series® driveshaft, the first all-aluminum driveshaft, helping to reduce weight by 100 pounds;
  • optimized Spicer® tire pressure system options for line-haul tractors, the first internal axle system of its kind;

"Fleets spec their trucks to meet a unique combination of freight, driver experience, duty cycles, transportation routes, and fleet replacement schedules," said Pat D'Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies.  "With thousands of possible truck configurations, Dana offers the widest selection of drivetrain innovations to meet specific industry needs and enable fleets to be more competitive."

Spicer® AdvanTEK® 40 Tandem Axle
Dana has begun initial production of the Spicer® AdvanTEK® 40 tandem axle with a select number of popular axle ratios, including the industry's fastest axle ratio of 2.26:1. Kenworth and Peterbilt are the first to offer this drivetrain solution on trucks.

The product's full selection of 13 ratios from 2.26 to 3.91 and options for a variety of Class 8 applications will be available this summer.

A finalist for a 2014 Automotive News PACE Award, the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle incorporates a powerful combination of technologies that can enable an engine at highway cruise speed to run up to 200 rpm lower than alternative powertrain systems while still reducing weight and increasing axle efficiency. 

Spicer® EconoTrek™ 6x2 Tandem Axle
Weighing up to 400 pounds less than a traditional 40,000-pound 6x4 tandem axle arrangement, the Spicer EconoTrek axle offers numerous innovations for reducing maintenance and increasing the fuel economy of heavy-duty linehaul tractors from 2 to 3 percent.

The Spicer EconoTrek™ 6x2 tandem axle is now available for 2014 Peterbilt and Kenworth commercial vehicles.  It supports the use of wide-based single tires on standard track axles with two-inch outset wheels.  Later this year, Dana will release a SelecTTrac™ option that provides maximum gross axle weight capability for fleets that spec 0- to 0.56-inch outset wheels for wide-based single tires.

Spicer® S140 Series Single-Reduction, Single-Drive Axles
Dana has launched two new Spicer® S140 Series axles that extend the company's lineup of single-reduction, single drive axles to medium-duty Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles with gross axle weight ratings (GAWR) up to 21,000 lbs. and gross combined weights (GCW) up to 46,000 lbs.

Up to 50 lbs. lighter than competitive offerings, the new Spicer S140 Series drive axles feature best-in-class GenTech™ gearing, which delivers automotive-level noise quality combined with increased torque capacity and durability for pickup, delivery, school bus, midi bus, motor home, municipal, and utility applications. 

Spicer® Pro-40™ Tandem Axle
Weighing up to 100 pounds less than a traditional 40,000-pound tandem axle, the Spicer Pro-40 tandem axle offers a dramatic weight reduction and improved power density, enabling customers to increase payload, improve fuel economy, and ultimately improve their bottom line. 

Spicer Life Series® Main Driveshaft and Inter-Axle Shaft
The most robust heavy-duty driveshaft and inter-axle shaft in their class, the SPL® 350 driveshaft and SPL® 250 inter-axle shaft are designed to withstand the increased stress placed on the driveline by high-efficiency on-highway trucks with downsped engines, as well as severe vocational applications including heavy equipment, mining, oil fields, and road trains. 

Delivering up to 35,000 Nm (26,000 ft-lbs.) of torque capacity, the SPL 350 driveshaft and SPL 250 inter-axle shaft are equipped with High Power Density™ design features that extend product life and outperform competing driveshafts.  They offer more power density, 40 percent more torque carrying capability, and double the bearing life over competitive designsLike all Spicer heavy-duty SPL® U-joints, these products feature an optional service-free design for further maintenance and lifecycle benefits.

Spicer® Diamond Series® Driveshaft
The recipient of a 2013 Automotive News PACE Award, the Spicer® Diamond Series® driveshaft is the first to combine dissimilar metals, successfully pairing steel end fittings with a single-piece, high-strength aluminum tube. The new design eliminates the center bearing used in traditional two-piece driveshafts, reducing component wear and installation costs.  As a result, this technology can reduce vehicle weight by up to 100 pounds, improving fuel economy, and load-carrying capacity.

Optimized Tire Pressure System
Dana is developing optimized tire pressure system technology for linehaul tractors, the first integrated tire maintenance system of its kind for commercial vehicles.

Currently undergoing road testing on commercial-vehicle tractors, this system has been engineered to automatically maintain proper inflation for drive and steer axles, significantly minimizing total cost of ownership through reduced maintenance, lower tire costs, and maximized fuel efficiency.

About Dana Holding Corporation
Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains.  Serving three primary markets – passenger vehicle, commercial truck, and off-highway equipment – Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.  Founded in 1904 and based in Maumee, Ohio, the company employs 23,000 people in 26 countries on six continents.  In 2013, Dana generated sales of $6.8 billion.  For more information, please visit dana.com.

SOURCE Dana Holding Corporation

For further information: Jeff Cole, +1-419-887-3535, jeff.cole@dana.com