The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

DURA Automotive Reports First Quarter 2006 Results

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.--April 27, 2006--DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. , today reported revenues of $584.4 million for the first quarter ended April 2, 2006 compared to $620.0 million in the prior year quarter. Net loss for the quarter was $7.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $4.8 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. DURA's adjusted loss from continuing operations for the quarter, which excludes facility consolidation charges and cumulative effect of accounting changes totaled $6.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $3.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $37.3 million compared to $38.8 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.

"This was a difficult quarter for DURA," said Larry Denton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DURA Automotive. "As we have said, we are working through a trough period in our revenue due to an unacceptable amount of awards won by the Company in the early 2000s. We have corrected this issue over the last three years by reorganizing our sales group and focusing on organic versus acquisitive growth. We must now focus on the execution of our restructuring plan to better position DURA for improved profitability in anticipation of our future organic growth."

The decrease in first quarter revenue from the prior year was driven primarily by the impact of foreign exchange and negative net new business including the loss of the GMT 800 seat adjuster. Partially offsetting these decreases was the strength of the recreation vehicle industry. First quarter income from continuing operations decreased from the prior year due primarily to the negative net new business.

Denton continued, "We can never be satisfied with a step backward in earnings, but our journey toward our 50 cubed operational restructuring plan goals is moving forward."

The $2.6 million pretax facility consolidation charge for the quarter relates to the previously announced restructuring actions in North America and Europe. The charges relate primarily to non-cash asset impairment charges and employee severance.

Conference Call

A conference call to review the first quarter results is scheduled for April 27, 2006 at 11:30 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, May 4, 2006 by dialing (303) 590-3000, passcode 11058914.

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
                                                   April 2,   April 3,
                                                     2006      2005
                                                   --------- ---------
Revenues                                           $584,378  $619,979
Cost of sales                                       530,416   559,398
                                                   --------- ---------
Gross profit                                         53,962    60,581

Selling, general and administrative expenses         36,929    42,173
Facility consolidation, asset impairments and
 other charges                                        2,572     1,666
Amortization expense                                    105       112
                                                   --------- ---------
Operating income                                     14,356    16,630

Interest expense, net                                26,174    24,970
                                                   --------- ---------

Loss from continuing operations before provision
 for income taxes and minority interest             (11,818)   (8,340)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes                 (3,833)   (3,617)
                                                   --------- ---------

Loss from continuing operations before minority
 interest                                            (7,985)   (4,723)

Minority interests in income                            (55)        -
                                                   --------- ---------

Loss from continuing operations                      (8,040)   (4,723)
Loss from discontinued operations                         -      (109)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting
 principle                                            1,020         -
                                                   --------- ---------
Net loss                                            $(7,020)  $(4,832)
                                                   ========= =========


Basic earnings per share:
Loss from continuing operations                      $(0.43)   $(0.25)
Discontinued operations                                  $-    $(0.01)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
 principle                                             0.05         -
                                                   --------- ---------
Net loss                                             $(0.38)   $(0.26)
                                                   ========= =========
Basic shares outstanding                             18,808    18,662
                                                   ========= =========

Diluted earnings per share:
Loss from continuing operations                      $(0.43)   $(0.25)
Discontinued operations                                  $-    $(0.01)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
 principle                                             0.05         -
                                                   --------- ---------
Net loss                                             $(0.38)   $(0.26)
                                                   ========= =========
Diluted shares outstanding                           18,808    18,662
                                                   ========= =========

Capital expenditures                                $23,117   $14,278
Depreciation                                        $20,298   $20,435




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

                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                    April 2,  April 3,
                                                      2006     2005
                                                    --------- --------
Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations
-------------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing operations before minority
 interest                                            $(7,985) $(4,723)
Facility consolidation and other charges, net          1,638    1,010
                                                    --------- --------
Adjusted loss from continuing operations             $(6,347) $(3,713)
                                                    ========= ========

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
   Adjusted loss from continuing operations           $(0.34)  $(0.20)
                                                    ========= ========
Basic shares outstanding                              18,808   18,662
                                                    ========= ========

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
   Adjusted loss from continuing operations           $(0.34)  $(0.20)
                                                    ========= ========
Diluted shares outstanding                            18,808   18,662
                                                    ========= ========

Adjusted EBITDA
---------------
Operating income                                     $14,356  $16,630
Amortization expense                                     105      112
Depreciation expense                                  20,298   20,435
Facility consolidation and other charges               2,572    1,666
                                                    --------- --------
   Adjusted EBITDA                                   $37,331  $38,843
                                                    ========= ========


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

                                                April 2,    April 3,
                                                  2006        2005
                                               ----------- -----------
                                 Assets
                                 ------

Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                $127,922    $101,889
        Accounts receivable, net                  332,853     291,119
        Inventories, net                          138,712     132,148
        Other current assets                      120,061     107,650
                                               ----------- -----------
             Total current assets                 719,548     632,806
                                               ----------- -----------

Property, plant and equipment, net                460,190     458,258
Goodwill, net                                     864,420     854,296
Deferred income taxes and other assets, net       124,383     129,849
                                               ----------- -----------
                                               $2,168,541  $2,075,209
                                               =========== ===========

                Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment
                ----------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
        Accounts payable                         $255,111    $265,560
        Accrued liabilities                       213,123     180,622
        Current maturities of long-term debt        3,877       3,473
                                               ----------- -----------
             Total current liabilities            472,111     449,655
                                               ----------- -----------

Long-term debt, net of current maturities         228,923     171,577
Senior unsecured notes                            400,000     400,000
Senior subordinated notes                         527,328     523,906
Convertible trust preferred securities subject
 to mandatory redemption                           55,250      55,250
Senior notes - derivative instrument
 adjustment                                       (17,395)    (10,781)
Minority interests                                  4,946       4,864
Other noncurrent liabilities                      147,500     141,031

Stockholders' investment:
        Common stock - Class A                        188         188
        Additional paid-in capital                351,941     351,994
        Treasury stock                             (1,797)     (1,948)
        Retained deficit                          (98,548)    (91,528)
        Accumulated other comprehensive income     98,094      81,001
                                               ----------- -----------
             Total stockholders' investment       349,878     339,707
                                               ----------- -----------
                                               $2,168,541  $2,075,209
                                               =========== ===========