Dana opens off-highway technology centre

Automotive components supplier Dana Corporation's Spicer Off-Highway Products Division has opened a new research and development centre in Bruges, Belgium.

The Off-Highway Systems Technology Center is designed to provide the industry with 'the most advanced off-highway transmissions and electronic controls' said Nick Cole, president of Dana's Heavy Vehicles Technologies and Systems Group.

Engineers at the new facility are developing new technologies related to the integration of electronic controls for both the transmission and typical vehicle functions. Chief engineer Paul Huyghe said innovations include electronic controlled modulation (ECM), electronic controlled inching (ECI), single pedal drive and brake by clutch.

Dana Corporation was founded in the USA in 1904. In 1997 it bought the Clark and Clark-Hurth facilities from Ingersoll Rand, including Spicer branded drivetrain components. In 2001 it reported sales of $10.3bn.