ArvinMeritor's Second Suspension System Improves Ride And Stability

                 RideStar Family of Suspension Systems Grows

    LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 21 ArvinMeritor, Inc.
has announced its plans for the second trailer air suspension system in its
product line -- a single axle/fabricated design for specialized vocational
trailers called the FS Series.  The newly announced FS Series joins the
innovative RHP Series in the family of RideStar Suspension Systems, the new
name for Meritor's suspension product line.

    The RideStar FS Series, designed to provide exceptional ride quality,
stability and durable performance for trailers in the specialized vocational
markets such as flatbeds, tankers, auto haulers, and lowboy trailers, will
complete field and laboratory testing in upcoming months.  Production and
sales will commence for the first model, FS230 Top Mount, in the fall of 2001,
according to the announcement at the Mid-America Trucking Show here.  The
suspension will provide customers with a 5 year-500,000 mile warranty.

    In 1997, ArvinMeritor developed the industry's first suspension system
specifically for sliding tandem vans -- the RHP Highway Parallelogram.
Customer response to the RHP series has been very strong, with sales
approaching 50,000 tandem systems.

    "However, we knew that the specialized vocational trailer market had its
own unique needs that required a different approach," said Sergio Carvalho,
vice president and general manager of ArvinMeritor's Trailer Products and
Suspensions.  "Our goal was to provide similar ride quality, stability, low
maintenance and lightweight advantages of the RHP in a design that would work
for other types of trailers, such as lowboys, flatbeds, tankers and auto
haulers.  Our entire team's hard work has paid off in the new FS Series."

    Carvalho pointed out the team used breakthrough concepts to serve the
specialized vocational trailer market.  "We purposely selected the full
systems viewpoint," he said.

    Delivering a Dynamic Approach

    "We studied the needs of the specialized vocational market to determine
how to provide exceptional suspension dynamics in the FS Series, to create a
robust, low maintenance system.  Our goal was to provide better ride and
handling, to protect the goods our customers carry," said Bob Zirlin, Director
of Marketing of ArvinMeritor's Trailer Products and Suspensions.

    ArvinMeritor engineers were given the freedom to completely rethink all
elements of the suspension system, as the new RideStar family evolves to serve
all commercial trailer customers.

    Bushings

    "Given the RHP's reputation for superior ride, eliminating backslap and
its unrivaled control of induced steer, we knew that the FS Series would have
to live up to high expectations.  Integrating the advancements in system
technology with a revolutionary new bushing design, the FS Series stays true
to the RHP's heritage," said Zirlin.

    The patent-pending design of the FS Series bushing uses interleaf shims
for superior fore/aft stiffness versus other single bushing designs, while the
more narrow design saves on total suspension system weight and bulk.

    Shock Absorbers

    As part of a complete systems solution, the company's engineers realized
that they could take full advantage of the shock absorber technology being
developed at ArvinMeritor's Ride Control business, maker of Gabriel shock
absorbers.  Borrowing from European technology, the shock absorbers have been
specially developed to work with the FS suspension geometry, delivering a new
standard in ride quality.  Exceptional damping characteristics and an
innovative integral check-strap result in years of low-maintenance
dependability.  Increased damping force results in less fatigue damage, as
well as improved braking performance and tire life.  Shock absorbers on the FS
are covered by a 3 year warranty.

    The Total Package

    "This newest member of the RideStar air suspension family is very friendly
to the driver, load and roads.  Since the suspension keeps trailer tires in
contact with the road better than any competitive system, tire wear is
reduced, braking and control are improved and axle vibration is kept to a
minimum," said Jim Grant, ArvinMeritor's Chief Engineer of Trailer Products
and Suspensions.  "The bottom line is that the RideStar family focuses on a
low maintenance design -- our concerted effort to keep the trailers out of the
shop, to assure delivery of freight on-time, as well as keep that driver happy
and more comfortable."

    The suspensions will be produced at the company's Frankfort, Kentucky,
facility -- a 125,000 sq. ft. facility with state-of-the-art production
equipment including robotic welding and electronically controlled fastener
torqueing.

    The FS Series is compatible with the entire trailer products lineup --
Meritor axles, brakes and related products -- automatic slack adjusters, hubs
and drums, Meritor WABCO anti-lock braking systems and the Meritor Tire
Inflation System by P.S.I.