ROCHESTER HILLS, MI, and CHONGQING, China -- DURA Automotive Handels und Beteiligungs GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. has announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with MINTH Group Limited, to develop, manufacture and sell automotive door frames, body-in-white door modules and door pillar cappings for automakers based in China. The new joint venture company will conduct business under the name DURA MINTH AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS Co., Ltd.

“Establishing a DURA MINTH joint venture in China allows us to expand our customer support in the Asian market for body and trim components,” said Larry Denton, DURA Automotive’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our customers will benefit from the combination of MINTH’s strong capabilities in the manufacture of precision door and trim components, coupled with DURA’s world-class design and advanced manufacturing technology.”

The joint venture company will establish its initial manufacturing operations at MINTH’s existing facilities in Chongqing, China.

“This agreement also provides access to DURA’s established OEM relationships, particularly with European automakers manufacturing in China,” said Mu Wei Zhong, vice president and executive director of MINTH Group Limited. “We look forward to working closely with our joint venture partner to enhance our growth opportunities.”

The joint venture will be majority owned and controlled by DURA, and the board of directors will be comprised of DURA and MINTH executives. The parent companies will contribute assets, intellectual property and technical resources. The transaction is subject to final business license approvals.

For more information about DURA Automotive, go to: www.duraauto.com.