HANOVER, Germany — Dana Holding Corp. announced a comprehensive lineup of technologically advanced solutions across the entire drivetrain designed to improve performance and fuel economy while decreasing maintenance, operating costs and long-term cost of ownership.
The announcement was made at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2012, in Hanover, Germany.
The innovations, according to the company, are:
• Industry-first technology for line-haul tractors engineered to automatically manage tire pressure, improving fuel economy and decreasing operating costs.
• An extension to the popular line of Spicer axles with AdvanTEK gearing that now includes light commercial vehicles.
• A premium driveshaft design with a single-piece assembly that delivers improved performance compared to traditional two-piece driveshafts.
• A strategic relationship with Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. and Fallbrook Technologies Inc. to bring powertrain solutions with breakthrough NuVinci continuously variable transmission (CVT) technology to the various vehicle markets.
"Fleet operators today face a myriad of pressures that impact productivity and the bottom line, such as rising fuel prices, tightening government regulations, and increasing competition for drivers," said Pat D’Eramo, president of Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies at Dana. "As a global leader in drivetrain innovations, we stand alone in our ability to leverage technological advances from all the vehicle markets we serve and tailor them to help commercial-vehicle fleets become more productive and profitable."
Advanced Tire Pressure Management for Line-Haul
Currently undergoing initial road testing on commercial-vehicle tractors, Dana’s new tire pressure management technology optimized for line-haul tractors is the first internal axle system of its kind for powered commercial vehicles.
The concepts presented at IAA have been engineered to automatically maintain proper inflation for drive and steer axles, significantly increasing vehicle fuel efficiency and reducing maintenance.
While simple tire management systems have been available for commercial-vehicle trailers for a number of years, Dana will be the first in the market to offer fully integrated, electronically controlled systems specifically engineered for the more complex demands of tractors.
Spicer M300 Axle with AdvanTEK Gearing
The Spicer M300 is the latest in a series of axles for Class 1 through Class 5 vehicles featuring AdvanTEK gearing. Available now in Salisbury style, the M300 axle extends the premium benefits of Spicer AdvanTEK axles to the light commercial-vehicle market. Spicer axles with AdvanTEK gearing are designed to provide increased power density and efficiency, as well as reduced NVH, in a smaller package than competing axles.
Premium Single-Piece Driveshaft
Designed for SUVs, medium-sized pickups and light commercial vehicles up to Class 6, the Spicer Formed Aluminum Tube Driveshaft features a premium design with a single-piece assembly that delivers reduced weight and increased assembly clearance when compared to a traditional two-piece steel driveshaft.
Strategic Alliance with Allison, Fallbrook
This week at IAA, Dana will be discussing the formation of strategic relationships with Allison Transmission Inc. and Fallbrook Technologies Inc. to develop, manufacture and commercialize high-efficiency transmissions for multiple vehicle markets, including commercial vehicles.
By using Fallbrook’s NuVinci continuously variable transmission (CVT) technology, designers can reduce the complexity of transmissions, superchargers and other powertrain systems and allow the engine to operate at more efficient speeds, ultimately increasing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions and improving overall vehicle performance.
For more information, visit www.dana.com.
