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Dana Corporation Develops Integrated Rear Independent Suspension Module DETROIT, Mich., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Corporation today unveiled a new integrated, full-size light truck independent rear suspension (IRS) module, which it developed in less than 12 months. The module was introduced at the 2004 SAE World Congress here. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA ) Using Dana's portfolio of engineering and development resources, the module builds on the company's global successes in design, development, assembly, and management of IRS systems. Key features of the new IRS module include excellent ride and handling, lightweight components, and greatly reduced vehicle-assembly time compared with traditionally assembled independent suspensions. "Dana has a heritage of industry-leading driveline, suspension, and vehicle-architecture knowledge. This depth of experience enables us to produce advanced components more efficiently, while thinking in terms of complete systems," said Michael J. Burns, Dana CEO and president. In addition to redesigning the full-perimeter frame rear section to accommodate the IRS module, Dana's expertise in alternative materials and related design knowledge created a redesigned axle, as wellas upper and lower control arms and knuckles -- all made of aluminum. Using aluminum helps minimize the weight of the module. The frame portion of the module also incorporates aluminum cross-members, which are welded to the steel rails by a magnetic-pulse-welding process patented by Dana. This environmentally friendly technology uses electro- magnetics to fuse components made of different metals to create an extremely robust weld for exceptional frame strength and stiffness. "While Dana's new IRSmodule was developed in North America, the potential for global growth is enormous as an increasing number of consumers demand that trucks and other utility vehicles drive and handle more like cars," said Chuck Heine, Dana's president of technology development. "We understand the critical areas of technical expertise, product knowledge, and manufacturing processes. With that powerful combination, we will continue to advance the science of mobility for the automotive marketplace." Along with providing a smoother ride for trucks and sport-utility vehicles, the module can be reconfigured for crossover-utility vehicles and passenger cars. This highly adaptable module can be tailored for a range of rear-wheel-drive, 4x4, and all-wheel-drive vehicles. Significantly reduced vehicle assembly time is another key advantage of the module, which only requires four bolts to complete installation. 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 http://www.dana.com/ . http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Dana Corporation CONTACT: Jeff Cole of Dana Corporation, +1-419-535-4704, or Web site: http://www.dana.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/226839.html

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