Dana, Audi Earn Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award

MAUMEE, Ohio, April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Holding Corporation (NYSE: DAN) announced today that it was honored with a 2015 Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award for its collaboration with Audi in developing Dana's Victor Reinz^® partially coated multi-layer steel (MLS) valve body transmission separator plates.  The technology enhances sealing capabilities, durability, and performance in multi-speed, continuously variable, and dual-clutch transmissions. 

The Innovation Partnership Award is presented to OEMs and shared with suppliers for exemplifying superior collaboration during the commercialization process of an innovation.  Dana collaborated with Audi in developing the valve body separator plate technology for advanced transmissions for the Audi A4 through A7, as well as the Q5. 

The valve body separator plates serve as an extremely durable alternative to traditional single-layer valve body plates with bonded gaskets, which have limited sealing capability.  Dana's solution provides up to three times the sealing pressure while optimizing channel paths and enabling smaller valve bodies through the reduction of fasteners that can interfere with desired flow paths.

To achieve optimum performance, the valve body of the transmission separator plates has a labyrinth of sealing channels that carry transmission fluids under pressure to clutch packs, band servos, and hydraulic devices that enable the transmission to shift based on speed, load, and torque.  Dana's advanced plates are fluoroelastomer-coated for micro-sealing in critical areas, providing maximum control of fluids under high pressures. 

"This prestigious award recognizes the significant impact collaboration has on technology development, and we are thrilled to share this honor with an important customer like Audi," said Dwayne Matthews, president of the Dana Power Technologies Group.  "At Dana, we strive to develop unique solutions for customers that address key market drivers, including fuel economy, durability, and performance.  These plates are a perfect example of our engineering team accomplishing this mission."

About the Automotive News PACE Awards
The 2015 Automotive News PACE Awards were presented yesterday at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.  The PACE Awards recognize superior innovation, technological advancement, and business performance among automotive suppliers, and serves as a benchmark award program for automotive innovation.  The awards are presented by Automotive News, Ernst & Young, and Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.).

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 approximately 23,000 people in 25 countries on six continents.  In 2014, Dana generated sales of $6.6 billion.  For more information, please visit dana.com.

SOURCE Dana Holding Corporation