The Associated Press reports that auto parts maker Dana Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection for its U.S. operations on Friday, joining a growing list of suppliers forced to make major restructuring moves because of the slumping U.S. auto industry.
Dana, which sells brakes, axles and other parts to most major automakers, has been facing increasing pressure from big car makers to sell them parts at lower prices. That, coupled with rising energy costs that are driving up the costs of raw materials and driving down demand for gas guzzling sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, have put auto parts suppliers in a financial bind.
Auto analysts said Dana's bankruptcy filing will increase the uncertainty engulfing the industry. "Dana's not the first and it won't be the last," Sean Egan, managing director of Egan-Jones Ratings Co. Financial trouble for auto suppliers will eventually hit new car buyers too, because some suppliers won't have the money to reinvest in new products and help car companies make high-quality vehicles at lower costs, he said.
Dana, with 46,000 workers worldwide, said in January that it lost nearly $1.3 billion in the third quarter last year while realigning its business. It has been in a downward spiral since the company announced last fall that it was restating earnings and lowering its profit forecast for 2005 because of accounting errors.