Dana to sell Commercial Vehicle Cab Systems group

TOLEDO, Ohio (June 11) — Dana Corp. plans to sell its Commercial Vehicle Cab Systems group, acquired as part of its $3.9 billion purchase of Echlin Inc., so it can focus on building drivetrain systems for heavy trucks.

The division makes mirrors, windshield wipers, and heating controls primarily under the Moto Mirror and Sprague brands. The unit generated 1998 sales of $91 million and employs approximately 550 people at facilities in Canby, Ore.; Canton, N.C.; and Michigan City, Ind.

Dana bought Echlin last July to add Echlin’s replacement-parts business to its product line.

“This announcement is consistent with our plan to divest non-strategic or non-performing operations,” said Joe Magliochetti, Dana’s president and CEO. “In this case, we are selling a superb operation.”

He said a number of potential buyers have expressed interest.

In April, Dana unveiled a strategic plan for growth. One of the planks is to divest non-strategic and non-performing operations. The company identified 10 non-core businesses with combined annual revenue of about $800 million that it might sell.