Dana Corporation Opens New Automotive Systems Technology Center

Toledo, Ohio -- Apr 16, 2004 -- Dana Corporation (NYSE: DCN) today unveiled its new Automotive Systems Group Technology Center during a ceremony for industry leaders, government officials, and members of the media. 

The nearly 200,000 square-foot facility, located near Toledo, Ohio, features advanced component and system engineering, along with housing testing and purchasing experts, to ensure Dana’s customers successfully meet increasingly complex industry needs.  In addition to supporting research and development activities across North America, the new center augments Dana’s technical centers in the Asia-Pacific, South American, and European markets.

“No matter what challenge they face, our customers rely on us for comprehensive solutions,” said Michael J. Burns, Dana CEO and president.  “This new Dana Automotive Systems Technology Center supports our global network of resources that deliver effective, customer-focused innovations.”

The center’s research and development capabilities include total systems engineering, product prototyping services, three-dimensional computer modeling, drivetrain manufacturing and assembly support, and advanced computer simulations. 

“The Technology Center’s design resources enable Dana to refine its products long before manufacturing begins.  This lowers costs and ensures the quality and durability that Dana products are known for and our customers have come to expect,” said Mike Laisure, president of Dana’s Automotive Systems Group.  “This new facility is much more than an engineering center – it combines 100 years of design, material, and manufacturing knowledge to benefit the entire automotive industry.”

The facility features a gear-system development area complete with in-house blade grinding, gear cutting, heat treating, and dimensional validation.  Testing and analysis capabilities include a full metallurgical lab with X-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscope; platform noise, vibration, and harshness analysis; data acquisition; and product validation. 

Validating components and systems is a core function of the Automotive Systems Technology Center.  Before new products hit the road, engineers first apply extensive endurance and performance testing on a range of dynamometers that measure component performance at actual operating speeds and loads. 

Sophisticated fatigue testing also helps determine how materials and designs will hold up to the long-term stresses of daily use.  Other specialized tests determine how Dana’s products will endure extreme heat and cold fluctuations, exposure to mud, salt, and other hostile forces. 

Of the 500 Dana people working at the facility, approximately 300 are designers, technicians, and engineers.  The remaining 200 employees are responsible for sales and marketing, finance, information technology, quality, and assembly and manufacturing enhancement. 

The facility boasts one of the most efficient LEED “green” certified heating and cooling systems, which requires 30 percent less energy to run than conventional systems.  Water is also conserved through a unique design that recycles run-off water through a collection system that supports irrigation. 

“We are extremely proud of this new center,” Mr. Laisure said. “We anticipate it will provide many benefits for our customers, employees, and the local community.  We’ve already added nearly 300 technical jobs to the area, and those people are hard at work developing advanced technologies for our customers.”

Dana Corporation is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of value-added products and systems for automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicles.  Delivering on a century of innovation, the company's continuing operations employ approximately 45,000 people worldwide dedicated to advancing the science of mobility.  Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates technology, manufacturing, and customer-service facilities in 30 countries.  Sales from continuing operations totaled $7.9 billion in 2003.  Dana’s Internet address is www.dana.com.