ArvinMeritor's Gosnell Sees Evidence of Slow Ascent To Recovery for Heavy-Duty Truck Market

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 19 -- Tom Gosnell, president, Commercial Vehicle Systems business group for ArvinMeritor, Inc. reported today that the truck market is seeing a slow, but steady increase. In addition, he stated that market data suggests a stronger economy, and specifically, a stronger truck market moving out of the third quarter of 2003 and beyond. The remarks were made at an ArvinMeritor media session during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.

"We have seen a rise in fleet utilization, an improved used truck situation, an extended fleet age and a monthly strengthening of Class 8 orders since July of 2002," said Gosnell. "Although we are reluctant to say that the industry is rebounding, it seems that significant factors are pointing in that direction. Our forecast is for a steady gain in global market volumes between 2003 and 2007."

According to data from the American Trucking Association (ATA), truck tonnage is up eight percent in December 2002 from the previous year. In addition, fleet utilization increased by eight percent over the same period.

The North American (United States, Canada and Mexico) production volumes for the Class 8 truck market in 2002 were 177,500 units. ArvinMeritor's current forecast for 2003 is 170,000, climbing to 230,000 in 2004. The medium-duty, Classes 5-7 production volumes in 2002 were 136,900, and are projected to be at 147,000 in 2003 and 181,000 in 2004.

"While this is good news for a depressed trucking industry," said Gosnell, "there still are some factors that point to a slow recovery. Global instability -- specifically in the Middle East -- is contributing to rising fuel costs and economic uncertainty. Diesel prices are currently at an all- time high -- close to 50 percent above the same time last year. Moreover, the truck market is still concerned about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) emission regulations -- specifically the requirements for 2007 -- that will continue to affect truck engines.

"The systems-based approach will help to offset many of the concerns about costs and regulations by ensuring a lean-running and smart-operating vehicle." said Gosnell. "Moving forward, the increased use and adoption of a systems- based approach for commercial vehicles will allow suppliers and manufacturers to make the most out of the vehicles that are being built and help them run more efficiently for peak performance."

ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier $7-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. In addition, ArvinMeritor is a leader in coil coating applications. The company is headquartered in Troy, Mich., and employs 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 .

This news release contains statements relating to future results that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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