As electrification, new energy vehicles, and rising sustainability and emissions demands reshape the automotive industry, Dana Inc is investing aggressively in research, training, and regional agility to stay ahead, with a clear long-term goal of becoming the best drivetrain supplier in the world.
Speaking to this publication on the pace of change sweeping the industry, Mr. Matthew Linko, Sr. Manager, National Accounts and Global Training, Dana Inc., said the automotive sector hasn’t seen this much disruption since the invention of the automobile itself. Technology today is evolving faster than ever, with six months of progress now often outpacing what used to take a decade of research and development. The company’s own growing investment in R&D, both in product technology and in how those products integrate into vehicle platforms, has delivered returns far beyond what the company had originally anticipated, he indicated.
This shift is also changing what the aftermarket itself looks like, moving from simple, individual parts to fully integrated systems, whether in axles, steering, or drivetrains. In the commercial vehicle space specifically, the trend towards “down-speeding,” running trucks at lower engine speeds, is placing new torque demands on components. Dana’s investments in durability testing have positioned it well for this shift, pointing to products like its SPL Light Driveline series and Dana AdvanTEK axle and gearing technology, both specifically engineered for down-speeding conditions.
As vehicle technology grows more complex, so does the need for skilled service technicians. The company addresses this through a structured stage-gate process, ensuring service manuals and instructional materials are ready before any product launch. The company has also invested heavily in the Dana Training Academy, a digital learning platform offering technical training free of charge, accessible to technicians worldwide, 24 hours a day.
On global operations, Mr. Linko said the company’s ability to remain nimble, quickly adjusting shipping lanes and sourcing strategies in response to tariffs, logistics disruptions, and broader geopolitical shifts, has been a genuine strength, especially given the size and global footprint of the organisation.
The independent aftermarket is growing fast, now making up over 50% of the market in China and around 40% in Australia, with steady growth in emerging markets like India too. Asked about this trend, he pointed to the company’s investment in business intelligence as a key advantage. This, he said, helps the company understand regional markets deeply and set prices with a level of precision he called unmatched.
Looking ahead, he said Dana’s ambition for the next five years is to become the world’s best drivetrain supplier, a goal the company acknowledged won’t come easily. Every vehicle platform is unique, requiring dedicated engineering and continued investment, whether for internal combustion, electrified, or fuel cell technologies. On electrification specifically, he said years of investment in facilities, talent, and research have helped it sharpen its focus, choosing selectively where it wants to compete in the EV space rather than pursuing every opportunity.
Looking at future growth markets, he pointed to strong potential across Asia, South America, and other regions worldwide. He specifically highlighted India as a market with growing interest in electric vehicles. This demand, he said, is being driven by both a growing number of vehicles on the road and rising need for supporting infrastructure.
