American Axle & Manufacturing Announces Executive Appointments

DETROIT, June 30 -- American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (AAM), today announced the following executive appointments effective July 1, 2006:

John J. Bellanti has been appointed vice president, Manufacturing Services, Capital Planning & Cost Estimating. Bellanti has worked at four of AAM's manufacturing facilities. He began his career at the Tonawanda Forge plant when it was part of General Motors, progressing through a series of manufacturing management positions until he was appointed area manager for Buffalo Gear & Axle in 1989. He was appointed general superintendent, Production at Detroit Gear & Axle in 1992, and transitioned to AAM as plant manager of Detroit Forge on March 1, 1994. Bellanti was named director, Manufacturing Engineering in 1996, and served as executive director, Manufacturing Services and vice president Engineering & Product Development. Prior to assuming his current position, Bellanti served as vice president Engineering & Chief Technology Officer. Bellanti holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the General Motors Institute (GMI) and a master of business administration degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Allan R. Monich has been appointed vice president, Quality Assurance & Customer Satisfaction. Monich began his 30-year career in the automotive industry as a co-op engineering student at the GM facility in Bristol, Connecticut, while he was a student at General Motors Institute (GMI). He then held various positions in manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance and sales for GM facilities in Connecticut, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. In 1989 Monich was appointed plant manager at Tonawanda Forge. In 1991, Monich was appointed plant manager of Buffalo Gear, Axle & Linkage, and in 1993 he served as plant manager of both Tonawanda and Buffalo Gear, Axle & Linkage. On March 1, 1994, AAM named Monich plant manager, Buffalo Gear, Axle & Linkage. He was named vice president, Human Resources in November 1997, and vice president, Manufacturing, Forging Division in 2001. Prior to being appointed to his new position, Monich served as vice president, Program Management & Launch and vice president Program Management & Capital Planning. He holds a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute.

John S. Sofia has been appointed vice president Engineering & Product Development. Sofia began his automotive career at the former Chrysler Corporation in 1984 as a college-student-in-training in the Stamping, Assembly & Diversified Operations Group. He progressed through a series of manufacturing/engineering positions including production supervisor, product/quality/process engineer, and engineering design team leader. Sofia joined AAM in March 1994 as an area manager at Detroit Gear & Axle. He has served as manufacturing manager at Detroit Gear & Axle; manager of the Current Production & Process Engineering Group; director, Manufacturing Engineering; plant manager, Detroit Forge; and director, Advanced Quality Planning. Prior to assuming his current position, Sofia served as vice president, Quality Assurance & Customer Satisfaction. John S. Sofia holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. He holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Detroit.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the appointments of these officers to their new positions," said AAM Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Richard E. Dauch. "These appointments are part of AAM's strategic organizational development that will provide the leadership to guide AAM to its next level of profitable global growth. Their understanding of AAM's core business, strategic global growth plans and the challenges faced by today's global Tier One suppliers, will strengthen AAM as we continue to profitably grow our world presence."

AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles and passenger cars. In addition to its locations in the United States (in Michigan, New York and Ohio), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, England, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, and South Korea.