Dana, Bosch Rexroth plan JV to engineer, produce off-highway transmissions

Dana Holding Corporation and Bosch Rexroth AG announced April 16 that they expect to form a 50-50 joint venture to co-develop and manufacture advanced drive transmissions for the off-highway market. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed by the two companies.

The planned joint-venture company, which is expected to operate in Arco, Italy, will engineer, manufacture and market hydro-mechanical variable powersplit transmission systems (HVT) for the global off-highway markets. The advanced transmission systems will be focused on meeting customer needs for improved fuel economy, productivity, emissions, and maneuverability. Dana and Bosch Rexroth will contribute staff, intellectual property, and capital to the new joint-venture company.

"We are excited about the opportunities that this combination of two respected global off-highway transmission manufacturers presents," said Dana chief technical officer George Constand. "Together, Dana and Bosch Rexroth offer a broad range of complementary skill sets, which will enable the joint venture to deliver a unique array of advanced transmission solutions to the off-highway marketplace."

The planned joint venture will benefit from Dana's expertise in off-highway transmission engineering and manufacturing, and Bosch Rexroth's deep experience in hydraulics and systems.

"The smart interaction of hydraulics and mechanics will be the driving factor for future innovation in drive transmissions," said Bosch Rexroth executive vice president of engineering and manufacturing Reiner Leipold-Buettner. "Only those with the best know-how in both fields will master the growing market demands. Dana and Bosch Rexroth ideally combine both fields."

Dana and Bosch Rexroth are currently engaged in a joint project to develop power split transmissions for construction machines.

About Dana Holding Corporation
Dana is a world leader in the supply of axles; driveshafts; off-highway transmissions; sealing and thermal-management products; and genuine service parts. The company's customer base includes virtually every major vehicle manufacturer in the global automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway markets. Based in Maumee, Ohio, the company employs approximately 21,500 people in 26 countries and reported 2009 sales of $5.2 billion.

About Bosch Rexroth
Bosch Rexroth AG is one of the world's leading specialists in the field of drive and control technologies. Under the brand name of Rexroth the company supplies more than 500,000 customers with tailored solutions for driving, controlling and moving machinery used in industrial and factory automation as well as in mobile applications. Bosch Rexroth is a partner for industrial applications and factory automation, mobile applications and using renewable energies. As The Drive & Control Company, Bosch Rexroth develops, produces and sells components and systems in more than 80 countries. In 2008, Bosch Rexroth AG, part of the Bosch Group, achieved sales of around 5.9 billion euros with 35,300 employees.