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Dana Corporation Operation in Brazil Earns Country's National Quality Award TOLEDO, Ohio, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A Dana Corporation operation in Gravatai, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which manufactures Spicer(R) driveshafts, universal joints, and steering columns, was the only company in Brazil to be honored with the country's 2003 National Quality Award (NQA) in the Large Companies category. Sponsored by Brazil's National Quality Award Foundation, the award recognizes companies demonstrating excellence in business administration. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA ) The award was formally presented to Dana's Torque Management Mercosur Division earlier this week at Palacio dos Bandeirantes, in Sao Paulo, in the presence of Brazil's Vice President Jose de Alencar. Elcio Anibal de Lucca, president of the Curator Council at the NQAF, said the profile of the winners and finalists shows that today Brazil's culture of management excellence is on the same level as that of more developed countries, since NQA criteria are considered global references. Companies undergo a rigorous inspection process that analyzes criteria such as leadership, strategy and plans, clients, society, information and knowledge, people, processes, and results. "Such external recognition from respected auditors validates the hard work of our people in their ongoing quest for excellence," said Bill Carroll, Dana's acting president and chief operating officer. "This honor only strengthens our commitment to quality." "This award is a key indicator of the success of our Dana Quality Leadership Process, which has guided our quality efforts for many years. The award also shows that Dana is quickly becoming a benchmark company in South America due to the commitment and motivation of our people," said Hugo Ferreira, president of Dana South America. This is the first year Dana's Brazilian division was evaluated by the foundation. Dana's Traction Technologies Mercosur Division, which manufactures axles in Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, was a finalist in the 2003 NQA for the second year in a row. The Brazilian National Quality Award criteria is based on the United States Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which the U.S. Congress established in 1987 to recognize organizations for their achievements in quality and performance, and to raise awareness about the importance of quality and performance excellence. Dana's former Spicer Driveshaft Division earned the award for manufacturing excellence in 2000 and Dana Commercial Credit Corporation received it for service excellence in 1996. Dana operations in Australia, Canada, and Taiwan have also earned national quality awards. Dana Corporation is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of value-added products and systems for automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicle manufacturers and their related aftermarkets. The company employs approximately 60,000 people worldwide. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates hundreds of technology, manufacturing, and customer service facilities in 30 countries. The company reported 2002 sales of $9.5 billion. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com/ . http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Dana Corporation CONTACT: Jeff Cole of Dana Corporation, +1-419-535-4704, or Web site: http://www.dana.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/226839.html

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