Dana Corporation Providing Front and Rear Axles, Hydroformed Frame for New Land Rover LR3

Toledo, Ohio -- Jan 12, 2005 -- Dana Corporation (NYSE: DCN) announced today that it has begun supplying front and rear axles, as well as the full-perimeter, hydroformed frame, for the 2005 Land Rover LR3 premium sport-utility vehicle.  

The axles feature Dana’s Advan TEK®design, which offers best-in-class noise, vibration, and harshness levels; improved fuel economy; and greater durability.  The improvements were accomplished through the use of Dana’s proprietary gear geometry, special bearing design, and advanced assembly processes.  The axles will be assembled at a Dana operation in Birmingham, England, located near the Land Rover vehicle assembly plant in Solihull.

“Dana’s product design innovations and advanced manufacturing processes played key roles in winning this important business with Land Rover,” said Dana Chairman and CEO Michael J. Burns.  “We believe such technologies give our customers’ vehicles unique characteristics that will provide a great driving experience.”

The new Land Rover LR3 also features Dana hydroformed frames, representing the company’s first hydroforming business in Europe.  The frames, provided by the Dana and GKN joint venture Chassis Systems Limited, are being manufactured using Dana’s patented Robo Clampähydroforming process.  This process is specifically designed to extend the attributes of high-pressure hydroforming to high-tonnage, long-bed applications by reducing equipment and tooling investment, as well as operational costs.  Dana’s proprietary Robo Clamp design is also more flexible and compact, compared to traditional hydroforming equipment.

“The use of Dana’s hydroformed frames, in combination with our Advan TEK axles, provides Land Rover with enhanced product durability and the luxury performance that is synonymous with the Land Rover brand,” said Mike Laisure, president, Automotive Systems Group.   “We are delighted to grow our European business with Land Rover, which was already a longstanding customer.

“The vehicle’s all-new architecture not only creates the foundation for benchmark ride and handling, but it also better absorbs crash energy.  Performance gains are evident through greatly improved NVH and the retention of off-road capability and durability,” added Laisure.

Dana and its subsidiaries also provide components for the LR3 engine, including bearings and composite cam covers on the V-8 gasoline version and the piston rings on the I-5 diesel.

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 worldwidededicated 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.