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Dura Automotive Release

12 October 1999

For Immediate Release 					Contact:
Christopher A. Sawyer
				Campbell & Co.
				313-336-9655


DeFosset Joins Dura Automotive Systems Management Team


Dura Automotive Systems, a global leader in Driver Control Systems, Body and
Glass Modules, Engineered Assemblies and Seating Systems, announces the
appointment of Don DeFosset to a new position as Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer. In this role he will be responsible for
day-to-day operations at Dura.

"Don is a great addition to our leadership team," says Dura CEO Karl
Storrie. "He brings a wealth of industry experience that will help make our
company an even better supplier to our customers, a superior place to work,
and provide quality returns to our shareholders."

"I'm very excited to join the Dura team," says DeFosset. "My goal is to
improve Dura's already high achievements in the areas of growth,
productivity, quality, and customer and employee satisfaction."

A graduate of Purdue University with an MBA from the Harvard Business
School, DeFosset began his 28-year career in the automotive and truck
industries as a manufacturing engineer with Rockwell International in 1971.
He moved up through the ranks both nationally and internationally, before
being named president of Rockwell's Off Highway division. In 1989, DeFosset
joined Mack Trucks as Executive Vice President, Operations, a position he
held until 1992.

From 1992-1996, DeFosset held various senior-level positions at
AlliedSignal. He was initially involved in developing the company's
strategic planning process. DeFosset next became Group Executive of the
Garrett Turbocharging and Bendix Brake businesses, and ultimately served as
President of AlliedSignal's Safety Restraint Systems Division.

Prior to moving to Dura Automotive Systems, DeFosset was president of
Navistar's Truck Group, Corporate Executive Vice President, and a member of
the company's Office of Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, DeFosset
lead Navistar's Truck Group in a highly regarded turnaround that restored
significant profitability, increased quality and productivity, and improved
customer satisfaction.

A resident of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, DeFosset is married and the father
of three college-aged children. He is a member of the Board of Directors of
Terex (NYSE), the National Advisory Boards for the University of Michigan
and Purdue University, and a board member of the American Trucking
Association Foundation.

Dura Automotive Systems is a $2.5 billion global supplier of engineered
systems with more than 20,000 employees and 80 facilities worldwide. The
company's product portfolio includes parking brakes systems, switch
assemblies, shift mechanisms, door modules, body and glass modules, and
seating systems.


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