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DURA Automotive Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2004 Results

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.--Feb. 1, 20050, 2005--DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. , today reported revenues of $582.8 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004, compared to $627.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Including a pretax facility consolidation charge of $3.7 million, the net income for the quarter was $1.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. DURA's adjusted income from continuing operations for the quarter, which excludes facility consolidation charges, totaled $4.8 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared to $9.8 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. Net debt reduction for the quarter was $5.1 million.

"Industry conditions continued to be challenging in the fourth quarter due to raw material pricing and global automotive production levels," said Larry Denton, president and chief executive officer of DURA Automotive. "On a positive note, the RV industry had a record year in 2004 and from a longer-term perspective we have made significant progress in accelerating our organic growth."

The decrease in fourth quarter sales from the prior year was driven primarily by lower North American and European automotive production, unfavorable vehicle platform mix and the effect of three fewer business days in the fourth quarter of 2004. Partially offsetting these decreases was the benefit received from foreign currency exchange. The decrease in fourth quarter income from continuing operations from the prior year reflects the impact of lower automotive production and higher raw material prices.

The facility consolidation charge for the quarter relates to the continuation of the previously announced closure of plants in the U.S., France and Germany. The facility consolidation charge of $3.7 million for the quarter includes $1.3 million of employee severance costs and $2.4 million of asset impairment and other charges.

Full-Year Results

For the year ended December 31, 2004, revenue totaled $2.5 billion versus $2.4 billion in 2003. Net income for the year was $11.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $22.3 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, in 2003. Adjusted income from continuing operations for the year, which excludes facility consolidation charges, totaled $29.4 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, compared to $33.6 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, in the prior year. Net debt reduction for the year was $10.3 million.

2005 First-Quarter and Full-Year Outlook

For the first quarter of 2005, the company expects revenue to be in the range of $600 to $650 million compared to $635 million in the same period last year. Adjusted income from continuing operations, which excludes facility consolidation charges, is estimated to be in the range of $0.05 to $0.15 per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA is estimated to be in the range of $45 to $48 million.

For the full year, our automotive industry production planning assumptions are 15.6 million units for North America and 20.0 million units for Europe. Revenue is expected to be $2.4 to $2.5 billion, versus $2.5 billion last year. Adjusted income from continuing operations, which excludes facility consolidation charges, is anticipated to be between $1.35 and $1.50 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA is estimated to be approximately $210 million. Full-year capital spending is expected to be approximately $70 million, interest expense $95 million and depreciation $80 million. Net debt for the year is expected to be consistent with year-end 2004. The full-year corporate tax rate is anticipated to be around 26 percent.

"We expect 2005 to be a challenging year for the automotive industry and DURA," said Denton. "However, we remain focused on our long-term strategy to accelerate organic growth and increase shareholder value."

Conference Call

A conference call to review the fourth-quarter results is scheduled for February 10, 2005, at 11 a.m. ET. Interested participants may listen to the live conference call or replay over the Internet by logging onto the investor relations section of the company's Web site, www.duraauto.com. A recording of this call also will be available until 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 17, 2005, by dialing (303) 590-3000, passcode 11022950.

About DURA Automotive Systems, Inc.

DURA Automotive Systems, Inc., is the world's largest independent designer and manufacturer of driver control systems and a leading global supplier of seating control systems, engineered assemblies, structural door modules and integrated glass systems for the global automotive industry. The company is also a leading supplier of similar products to the North American recreation and specialty vehicle markets. DURA sells its automotive products to every North American, Japanese and European original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and many leading Tier 1 automotive suppliers. DURA is headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich. Information about DURA and its products is available on the Internet at www.duraauto.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") included throughout this news release, the Company has provided information regarding "adjusted income from continuing operations" and "adjusted EBITDA" (non-GAAP financial measures). Adjusted income from continuing operations represents income from continuing operations adjusted for severance charges, facility consolidation and other charges, net and loss on early extinguishment of debt, net. Adjusted EBITDA represents income from continuing operations adjusted for severance charges, facility consolidation and other charges, loss on early extinguishment of debt, interest, amortization and taxes. Management believes that adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's ability to analyze operational performance. Adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other income statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP, or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. Also, adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA, as determined and presented by the Company, may not be comparable to related or similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or similar expressions. These statements are based on certain assumptions that the company has made in light of its experience in the industry as well as its perspective of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results because of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to (i) expected synergies, economies of scale and cost savings from the company's acquisitions not being fully realized or realized within the expected times frames; (ii) unanticipated difficulties servicing the indebtedness of the company; (iii) costs or operational difficulties related to integrating the operations of the acquired entities with those of the company being greater than expected; (iv) labor disputes involving the company or its significant customers; (v) risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, and (vi) general economic or business conditions affecting the automotive industry, either nationally or regionally, being less favorable than expected.


            DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
     (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

                            Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                               December 31,          December 31,
                           ------------------- -----------------------
                             2004      2003       2004        2003
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Revenues                   $582,802  $627,161  $2,492,543  $2,380,794
Cost of sales               521,624   551,395   2,214,113   2,089,243
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
  Gross profit               61,178    75,766     278,430     291,551

Selling, general and
 administrative expenses     33,156    40,130     150,489     154,935
Facility consolidation and
 other charges                3,730    11,268      21,817       9,252
Amortization expense            111       158         445         370
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
  Operating income           24,181    24,210     105,679     126,994

Interest expense, net        22,840    20,294      89,535      81,921
Loss on early
 extinguishment of debt           -     2,852           -       2,852
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------

  Income from continuing
   operations before
   provision for income
   taxes and minority
   interest                   1,341     1,064      16,144      42,221

Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes                  (621)      361       3,672      14,355

Minority interest -
 dividends on trust
 preferred securities, net        -       684           -       2,735

  Income from continuing
   operations                 1,962        19      12,472      25,131

Gain (Loss) from
 discontinued operations,
 net                            (50)   (2,874)       (749)     (2,793)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------

  Net income (loss)          $1,912   $(2,855)    $11,723     $22,338
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Basic earnings (loss) per
 share:
  Income from continuing
   operations                 $0.10        $-       $0.67       $1.37
  Discontinued operations         -     (0.16)      (0.04)      (0.15)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
   Net income (loss)          $0.10    $(0.16)      $0.63       $1.22
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========
Basic shares outstanding     18,626    18,369      18,508      18,313
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Diluted earnings (loss)
 per share:
  Income from continuing
   operations                 $0.10        $-       $0.66       $1.35
  Discontinued operations         -     (0.15)      (0.04)      (0.15)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
   Net income (loss)          $0.10    $(0.15)      $0.62       $1.20
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========
Diluted shares outstanding   18,828    18,768      18,868      18,563
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Capital expenditures        $23,245   $21,456     $67,208     $67,673
Depreciation                $18,519   $21,242     $82,943     $77,197





            DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              ADJUSTED INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
     (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

                               Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                  December 31,        December 31,
                              ------------------- --------------------
                                2004      2003       2004      2003
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------
Income from continuing
 operations                     $1,962       $19    $12,472   $25,131
Facility consolidation and
 other charges, net              2,876     7,938     16,951     3,681
Cost of sales - severance
 cost, net                           -         -          -     2,884
Loss on early extinguishment
 of debt, net                        -     1,882          -     1,882
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------
  Adjusted income from
   continuing operations        $4,838    $9,839    $29,423   $33,578
                              ========= ========= ========== =========


Basic earnings per share:
   Adjusted income from
    continuing operations        $0.26     $0.54      $1.59     $1.83
                              ========= ========= ========== =========
Basic shares outstanding        18,626    18,369     18,508    18,313
                              ========= ========= ========== =========

Diluted earnings per share:
   Adjusted income from
    continuing operations        $0.26     $0.52      $1.56     $1.81
                              ========= ========= ========== =========
Diluted shares outstanding      18,828    18,768     18,868    18,563
                              ========= ========= ========== =========



            DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Amounts in thousands)


                                             December 31, December 31,
                   Assets                        2004         2003
                   ------                    ------------ ------------

Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                     $191,568     $181,268
  Accounts receivable, net                       273,956      274,345
  Inventories                                    149,834      127,957
  Current portion of derivative instruments        7,746        6,629
  Other current assets                            92,016       95,045
                                             ------------ ------------
    Total current assets                         715,120      685,244
                                             ------------ ------------

Property, plant and equipment, net               487,106      488,363
Goodwill, net                                    903,584      859,022
Noncurrent portion of derivative instruments      10,601       12,844
Deferred income taxes and other assets, net      107,510       69,959
                                             ------------ ------------
                                              $2,223,921   $2,115,432
                                             ============ ============
  Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment
  ----------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                              $270,341     $243,995
  Accrued liabilities                            187,254      187,501
  Current maturities of long-term debt             2,968        5,738
                                             ------------ ------------
    Total current liabilities                    460,563      437,234
                                             ------------ ------------

Long-term debt, net of current maturities        150,898      159,121
Senior notes                                     400,000      400,000
Subordinated notes                               589,469      578,505
Mandatorily redeemable convertible trust
   preferred securities                           55,250       55,250
Senior notes - derivative instrument
 adjustment                                       18,347       19,473
Other noncurrent liabilities                     141,903      135,262

Stockholders' investment:
  Common stock - Class A                             186          168
  Common stock - Class B                               -           16
  Additional paid-in capital                     351,571      349,220
  Treasury stock                                  (2,513)      (2,452)
  Retained deficit                               (93,342)    (105,065)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income         151,589       88,700
                                             ------------ ------------
    Total stockholders' investment               407,491      330,587
                                             ------------ ------------
                                              $2,223,921   $2,115,432
                                             ============ ============