Zeuna Starker's Bleidt to Lead ArvinMeritor's Air and Emissions Technologies

TROY, Mich., Dec. 18, 2002; ArvinMeritor, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to acquire the remaining 51-percent interest in its German joint venture, Zeuna Starker GmbH & Co. KG, a premier $600-million exhaust and emissions solutions company. The purchase price is approximately $75 million, and the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal year 2003.

ArvinMeritor will incorporate Zeuna Starker into its Light Vehicle Systems' (LVS) Air and Emissions Technologies (A&ET) product group, effective Jan. 1, 2003. Michael Bleidt, former Zeuna Starker executive vice president, Sales and Engineering, has been chosen to lead the A&ET product group as its vice president and general manager. Bleidt will report to LVS' President Craig Stinson.

"Integrating Zeuna Starker into ArvinMeritor's A&ET business creates a complete range of emissions solutions for our global automotive customers," said Stinson. "The strength of Zeuna Starker's technological expertise, combined with ArvinMeritor's lean manufacturing principles, further enhances ArvinMeritor's market-leading position. Michael's strong leadership skills, insight and expertise will be critical to successfully integrating the two emissions product teams, while maintaining a single-minded focus on customer satisfaction. I'm also confident that he will drive significant program management improvements and further strengthen our advanced engineering capabilities."

With a master's degree in engineering from the German University of Karlsruhe, Bleidt began his career with the General Motors' Europe Powertrain division. Following tenure as senior manager for Engine Mechanics, he joined Elring Klinger, a German automotive supplier of gasket and heat insulation systems, where he was vice president of Sales and Engineering. Bleidt joined Zeuna Starker in 1999.

ArvinMeritor became a 49-percent partner in the Zeuna Starker joint venture in 1998. Since that time, the relationship has generated several accomplishments, including:

Global sourcing of Mercedes-Benz M-Class complete emissions system Developing technologies to address heavy-duty and light vehicle diesel emissions, including systems targeted to meet future stringent diesel emissions regulations Providing a collaborative exhaust system solution for Ford's U231 program (Lincoln Aviator) Major market penetration and new contracts with the leading European OEMs, including Mercedes, BMW, VW, Fiat, Volvo, Ferrari, Opel and Alfa Romeo