ArvinMeritor Announces Evolution of Trailer Air Suspension System - The RideStar(R) RXP

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 24 -- ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Systems business today announced a new development in its best-selling RideStar(R) RHP trailer air suspension system here at the Mid- America Trucking Show. The evolutionary RideStar RXP trailer air suspension combines all of the premium, sought-after features of the current RideStar RHP trailer air suspension with extra durability and convenience, while satisfying the needs of weight-sensitive customers, such as refrigerated trailer users.

The RHP will evolve into the RXP in phases, with each new component introduced as a running change to the RHP, and being compatible with existing RHP systems. The product will only be designated the RXP with the completion of the final phase, the optimized slider. Most changes are targeted for introduction by the end of 2004, with OEM availability at that time.

"Since its introduction, the marketplace has demonstrated extremely strong support of the RHP trailer air suspension through both customer feedback and repeat purchases, with three of the top OEMs and fleets standard on the product," said Sergio Carvalho, vice president and general manager of ArvinMeritor's Braking Systems, Suspension Systems, Trailer Products and Ride Control business units. "In developing the RXP model, we were committed to providing the benefits our customers have come to rely upon, but take the design a step further. We wanted to make a great product even greater - the RXP truly offers durability in a weight-competitive package."

"For extra strength and resistance to impact and fatigue, we've optimized the suspension's slider with integrated lateral plates and we've protected the pin mechanism with additional cross members," said Jim Sharkey, business unit director, North American Trailer Systems, for ArvinMeritor. "We've also moved the pin handle to the front of the suspension for easy access."

Additional features also incorporated into the RideStar RXP Trailer Air Suspension include:

* New axle design - Unlike trailing arm suspensions, the parallelogram approach causes no roll torque on the axles. This allows lighter axles to be integrated into the suspension system. The new Meritor(R) 5000 series axle with a 5" round beam is available with a full range of spindle profiles such as the packaged-bearing TL system, as well as the popular TN and TP.

* Optimized upper control arm assembly - New profile is lighter weight but continues to offer outstanding durability. An enhanced bushing design, based on more than 15 years' experience with demanding European duty cycles, offers extra wear resistance and protection against corrosion.

"All of these enhancements are designed to be interchangeable with the current RHP, as it evolves to the next level - the RXP. These modifications, along with the existing premium features of the RHP trailer air suspension, all aim to help fleets haul more cargo, more profitably," Sharkey added.

  The existing premium features include:
  *  No dock walk by design.

* Integrated slider, trailer axles and brakes for a "complete undercarriage" solution.

* Parallelogram design with unified frame brackets for improved efficiency and exceptional ride.

* Superior roll-stability and resistance to curbing damage.

* ArvinMeritor's preferred DriveTrain Plus(TM) service and one-stop shopping.

The RideStar RXP is standard with industry-leading Q Plus brakes. The system can be customized with Meritor's entire line of products, including Meritor Tire Inflation Systems(R) by PSI, automatic slack adjusters, a variety of lightweight and long-life wheel-end packages and disc brakes. The RXP, designed for sliding tandem van applications, will be assembled in the company's Frankfort, Ky. manufacturing facility.

ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier $8-billion global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and related aftermarkets. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 32,000 people at more than 150 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: www.arvinmeritor.com .