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DURA Automotive Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2005 Results and Announces Restructuring Plan

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.--Feb. 9, 2006--DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. , today reported revenues of $564.4 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005 compared to $582.8 million in the prior year quarter. Net income for the quarter was $10.3 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. DURA's adjusted income from continuing operations for the quarter, which excludes facility consolidation charges, a gain on retirement of debt and the favorable settlement of certain environmental matters totaled $0.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to income of $4.8 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $46.6 million compared to $46.5 million in the prior year quarter. A reconciliation of adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is set forth below.

"Although our fourth quarter and full year results came in within our expectations, these results are not acceptable and we need to continue to focus our efforts on changing DURA going forward," said Larry Denton, chairman and chief executive officer of DURA Automotive.

The decrease in fourth quarter revenue from the prior year was driven primarily by lower North American automotive production by the domestic OEM's and the negative impact of foreign currency exchange. Partially offsetting these decreases was the strength of the recreation vehicle industry. Fourth quarter income from continuing operations increased from the prior year as net raw material cost improvements and the favorable resolution of certain environmental matters offset the impact of the lower domestic OEM automotive volumes.

The $5.2 million pre tax facility consolidation charge for the quarter relates primarily to the previously announced headcount reductions associated with DURA's plan to migrate to one enterprise resource planning system and the continuation of the restructuring actions in North America and Germany.

During the fourth quarter of 2005, DURA took the opportunity to reduce its Subordinated Notes by $49 million. This decision is consistent with its long-term debt reduction strategy. DURA spent $31 million of cash, resulting in a gain on retirement of debt of $18 million in the quarter.

Full-Year Results

For the year ended December 31, 2005, revenue totaled $2.3 billion compared to $2.5 billion in 2004. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $1.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to net income of $11.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, in the prior year. DURA's adjusted loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2005, which excludes facility consolidation charges, a net gain on retirement of debt and the favorable resolution of certain environmental matters, totaled $6.4 million, or $0.34 per diluted share; as compared to adjusted income from continuing operations of $29.4 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $170.9 million compared to $210.9 million in the prior year. This was within the range of DURA's previously released guidance.

Restructuring Plan

Denton continued, "We have made progress toward achieving our organic growth and worldwide cost leadership goals over the past three years, however, we are not moving fast enough. We must accelerate our growth and profitability enhancement plans to meet our strategic goals by 2008. Over the next two years, DURA will complete a significant restructuring of our worldwide operations designed to enhance performance optimization, worldwide efficiency and financial results."

The restructuring plan will impact over 50 percent of DURA's worldwide operations either through product movement or facility closures. DURA will complete this action by year end 2007. In addition, DURA's purchasing organization will aggressively cut costs throughout its supply chain resulting in a significant reduction of annual purchasing costs.

Cash costs for the restructuring plan are expected to be approximately $100 million. These costs will relate primarily to employee severance, capital investment, facility closure and product move costs. The majority of these expenditures will occur by year end 2007. DURA expects a three year payback on the investment. The savings are expected primarily through a lower average global wage rate, lower cost of purchased materials and operating efficiencies gained as a result of the facility consolidations and reorganizations.

"We will finance the restructuring plan with cash on hand and availability under our existing revolving credit facility," said Keith Marchiando, chief financial officer of DURA Automotive. "The liquidity package that we put in place in May 20, 200605 gives us ample liquidity to fund this necessary restructuring plan along with our on going operating cash requirements."

Conference Call

A conference call to review the fourth-quarter and full-year results is scheduled for February 9, 2006 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 16, 2006 by dialing (303) 590-3000, passcode 11050774.

About DURA Automotive Systems, Inc.

DURA Automotive Systems, Inc., is a leading independent designer and manufacturer of driver control systems, seating control systems, glass systems, engineered assemblies, structural door modules and exterior trim systems for the global automotive industry. The company is also a leading supplier of similar products to the recreation vehicle (RV) and specialty vehicle industries. 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 (loss) from continuing operations" and "adjusted EBITDA" (non-GAAP financial measures). Adjusted income from continuing operations represents income from continuing operations adjusted for facility consolidation and other charges, net, the favorable settlement of certain environmental matters and gain on retirement of debt, net. Adjusted EBITDA represents income from continuing operations adjusted for facility consolidation and other charges, a gain on retirement of debt, the favorable resolution of certain environmental matters, interest, amortization, depreciation 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 (loss) 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 (loss) 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,
                           ------------------- -----------------------
                             2005      2004        2005        2004
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Revenues                   $564,404  $582,802  $2,344,139  $2,492,543
Cost of sales               496,827   521,624   2,086,421   2,214,113
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
  Gross profit               67,577    61,178     257,718     278,430

Selling, general and
 administrative expenses     36,860    33,156     155,901     150,489
Facility consolidation,
 asset impairments and
 other charges                5,247     3,730      11,397      21,817
Amortization expense            117       111         434         445
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
  Operating income           25,353    24,181      89,986     105,679

Interest expense, net        25,631    22,840     100,021      89,535
Gain on retirement of debt  (18,154)        -     (14,805)          -
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------

  Income from continuing
   operations before
   provision for income
   taxes and minority
   interest                  17,876     1,341       4,770      16,144

Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes                 7,551      (621)      2,687       3,672
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------

  Income from continuing
   operations before 
   minority interest         10,325     1,962       2,083      12,472

  Minority interests in
   income                       (67)        -        (177)          -
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------

  Income from continuing
   operaitons                10,258     1,962       1,906      12,472
Income(loss) from
 discontinued operations         14       (50)        (92)       (749)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------

  Net income                $10,272    $1,912      $1,814     $11,723
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Basic earnings per share:
  Income from continuing
   operations                 $0.55     $0.10       $0.10       $0.67
  Discontinued operations         -         -           -       (0.04)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
    Net income                $0.55     $0.10       $0.10       $0.63
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========
Basic shares outstanding     18,769    18,626      18,709      18,508
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Diluted earnings per
 share:
  Income from continuing
   operations                 $0.54     $0.10       $0.10       $0.66
  Discontinued operations         -         -           -       (0.04)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
    Net income                $0.54     $0.10       $0.10       $0.62
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========
Diluted shares outstanding   20,068    18,828      18,849      18,868
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Capital expenditures        $33,891   $23,245     $78,581     $67,208
Depreciation                $17,615   $18,519     $79,078     $82,943



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


                                    Three Months      Twelve Months
                                       Ended              Ended
                                    December 31,       December 31,
                                 ----------------- -------------------
                                   2005     2004      2005      2004
                                 -------- -------- --------- ---------
Adjusted income (loss) from
 continuing operations
--------------------------------
Income from continuing
 operations
    before minority interest     $10,325   $1,962    $2,083   $12,472
Facility consolidation and other
 charges, net                      3,320    2,876     7,326    16,951
Favorable settlement of
 environmental matters, net       (1,132)       -    (6,375)        -
Gain on retirement of debt, net  (11,619)       -    (9,476)        -
                                 -------- -------- --------- ---------
  Adjusted income (loss) from
   continuing operations            $894   $4,838   $(6,442)  $29,423
                                 ======== ======== ========= =========

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
  Adjusted income (loss) from
   continuing operations           $0.05    $0.26    $(0.34)    $1.59
                                 ======== ======== ========= =========
Basic shares outstanding          18,769   18,626    18,709    18,508
                                 ======== ======== ========= =========

Diluted earnings (loss) per
 share:
  Adjusted income (loss) from
   continuing operations           $0.05    $0.26    $(0.34)    $1.56
                                 ======== ======== ========= =========
Diluted shares outstanding        18,779   18,828    18,709    18,868
                                 ======== ======== ========= =========


Adjusted EBITDA
--------------------------------
Operating Income                 $25,353  $24,181   $89,986  $105,679
Amortization expense                 117      111       434       445
Depreciation expense              17,615   18,519    79,078    82,943
Facility consolidation and other
 charges                           5,247    3,730    11,397    21,817
Favorable settlement of
 environmental matters            (1,768)       -    (9,960)        -
                                 -------- -------- --------- ---------
   Adjusted EBITDA               $46,564  $46,541  $170,935  $210,884
                                 ======== ======== ========= =========


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


                                             December 31, December 31,
                   Assets                       2005         2004
-------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------

Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                      $101,889     $191,568
 Accounts receivable, net                        291,119      273,956
 Inventories, net                                132,148      149,834
 Current portion of derivative instruments             -        7,746
 Other current assets                            107,650       92,016
                                             ------------ ------------
  Total current assets                           632,806      715,120
                                             ------------ ------------

Property, plant and equipment, net               458,258      487,106
Goodwill, net                                    854,296      903,584
Noncurrent portion of derivative instruments           -       10,601
Deferred income taxes and other assets, net      129,212      107,510
                                             ------------ ------------
                                              $2,074,572   $2,223,921
                                             ============ ============
  Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment
-------------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable                               $265,560     $270,341
 Accrued liabilities                             178,150      187,254
 Current maturities of long-term debt              3,473        2,968
                                             ------------ ------------
  Total current liabilities                     447,183      460,563
                                             ------------ ------------

Long-term debt, net of current maturities        171,577      150,898
Senior notes                                     400,000      400,000
Subordinated notes                               523,906      589,469
Mandatorily redeemable convertible trust
   preferred securities                           55,250       55,250
Senior notes - hedging mark-to-market value
 adjustment                                      (10,781)      18,347
Minority Interests                                 4,864            -
Other noncurrent liabilities                     142,859      141,903

Stockholders' investment:
 Common stock - Class A                              188          186
 Additional paid-in capital                      351,994      351,571
 Treasury stock                                   (1,948)      (2,513)
 Retained deficit                                (91,528)     (93,342)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income           81,008      151,589
                                             ------------ ------------
  Total stockholders' investment                 339,714      407,491
                                             ------------ ------------
                                              $2,074,572   $2,223,921
                                             ============ ============