Dana Corporation's Heavy Truck Group Introduces Revolutionary Trailer Air-Ride Suspension, Axle, and Brake Module

Apr 20, 1999

    TOLEDO, Ohio, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Corporation's (NYSE: DCN)
Heavy Truck Group today introduced a revolutionary integrated trailer package
that will be delivered to OEMs as a complete module, offering improved
performance, durability, cost, assembly, and serviceability.
    Developed in alliance with Neway Anchorlok International, Dana's iPAC(TM)
module consists of an air-ride suspension, axles, wheel ends, and brakes
packaged to meet increasing global demand for trailer modules.
    "We are very proud of our history of customer-focused innovation," said
Rick Clayton, president of Dana's Heavy Truck Group. "This combination of
technologies really supports that tradition."
    The iPAC module also features the air-ride suspension industry's first
completely non-welded connection -- Neway's (patent pending) NEWeld(TM) axle
connection -- which offers an air-ride suspension/axle module with no weld on
the axle tube inside of the brake spiders. This innovation allows the trailer
OEMs to use thinner wall axles and short camshafts.
    "This use of no-weld technology, combined with our expertise in modular
systems, gives our customers a real advantage in terms of cost and
efficiency," said Clayton. "This module was developed with our customers'
needs in mind."
    Other advantages for trailer manufacturers include less manufacturing
assembly time, reduced inventory, and simplified supply logistics, as well as
reduced design and manufacturing responsibility.
    In laboratory and field testing, NEWeld(TM) has proven far superior to any
other suspension-to-axle connection available in the global trailer air-ride
suspension industry.  The NEWeld(TM) axle connection carries a lifetime
warranty for the original owner of the trailer.  In addition, the iPAC module
also carries a five-year, 500,000-mile warranty on the air-ride suspension and
on the axle.
    The iPAC(TM) module will be shipped completely assembled and can be
purchased from both Spicer Trailer Products, a division of Dana's Heavy Truck
Group, and Neway Anchorlok International.  Multiple shipping points will
enable trailer OEMs to minimize their delivery costs.
    The Heavy Truck Group is one of seven Dana Strategic Business Units.  The
Group designs, manufactures, and supplies front, drive, and trailer axle and
brake components and modules, driveshafts, PTOs and cab modules, and complete
chassis assemblies to global truck and trailer manufacturers.
    Dana Corporation is one of the world's largest independent suppliers to
vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. Founded in 1904 and based in
Toledo, Ohio, the company operates some 330 major facilities in 32 countries
and employs more than 86,000 people. The company reported sales of
$12.5 billion in 1998. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com.


SOURCE Dana Corporation

Web Site: http://www.dana.com

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