American Axle & Manufacturing reported a $112 million loss in the fourth quarter, capping a year marked by a lengthy strike, the closing of some of its U.S. plants, job cuts and a sharp downturn in auto sales.

The quarterly loss compared to a $26.8 million loss a year ago by the Detroit-based auto parts supplier. Its sales declined 33 percent from a year ago, to $503 million.

The company's fourth quarter results were hurt by production cutbacks at the U.S. automakers in response to slumping sales.

For the full year, American Axle recorded a loss of $1.2 billion, versus a $37 million profit in 2007. Nearly $1 billion of that loss stemmed from one-time charges related to items such as plant closings and job reductions, the company said. Full-year sales declined 35 percent, to $2.1 billion.

American Axle's chairman and chief executive officer, Richard Dauch, during a Friday conference call referred to 2008 as the "year from hell." The United Auto Workers launched a strike that lasted 87 days, the economy soured, and demand plunged for the trucks and SUVs that are a key source of the company's business.

American Axle, which operates a plant in Cheektowaga, remained heavily reliant on GM in 2008, with 74 percent of its sales generated by its largest customer.

Michael Simonte, the company's chief financial officer, would not offer detailed earnings or cash flow guidance for this year. He cited too much uncertainty regarding the economy, the industry, its customers' restructuring plans and the government's assistance for its customers.

"We don't know what's going to happen and neither does anyone else," Simonte said.

But Simonte insisted that American Axle "has a plan to return to profitability this year."

"You may think we're crazy," he said. "That's OK. We are not going to be distracted by sensational headlines or uninformed opinions."

Reuters earlier this week quoted an analyst as saying that American Axle was at high risk for filing for bankruptcy in the next 12 months.

e-mail: mglynn@buffnews.com

Originally published by NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER.

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