Meritor(R) Axles and Brakes Specified on New Hybrid Buses

In Continuing Collaboration with Gillig

TROY, Mich., Jan. 25 -- ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Systems business today announced that its Meritor transit bus axles and brakes have been specified as part of a hybrid bus consortium contract. The consortium consists of 11 transit agencies in California, Nevada, and New Mexico.

The contract was awarded to Gillig Corporation, one of North America's largest producers of transit buses, with whom ArvinMeritor has partnered for numerous advanced-technology endeavors in the last several years. The contract calls for up to 157 diesel-electric hybrid buses in 30-foot, 35-foot and 40-foot configurations, with deliveries starting this year and running into late 2007.

"This contract is fully in line with our commitment to be integrally involved with developments that focus on improving the overall environment," said Tim Bowes, general manager of Specialty Products. "Our axles and brakes were chosen because of their demonstrated ability to specifically serve the transit bus vocation while offering advanced features that lead to higher fuel economy and lower maintenance."

The Meritor(R) 71000 Series, single reduction drive axle, will be utilized on the 35 and 40-foot buses. This axle features several design elements that offer extended life and lower maintenance, including a robust cast housing with integral suspension brackets, and an advanced carrier design with increased gear and bearing capacity to meet the rigorous demands of the transit bus vocation.

For the 30-foot bus, the R-160 Series axle (21,000 lb. capacity) will be utilized. This axle has been used in transit buses since 1992. The gearing and bearing capacities are properly matched to the 30' bus size in particular when using retarders that are common on transit buses. The housing is fabricated steel.

Both axle series feature Quiet Ride(TM) gearing for a low noise signature. Quiet Ride features an innovative gear tooth design that ensures both the drive and coast side of the tooth are quiet. CNC gear cutting equipment is utilized during the manufacturing process for precise cutting and excellent repeatability. Specialized noise, vibration, and harshness test equipment ensures a low-noise ride that can be up to 7 to 9 dBA quieter.

The axles will be delivered complete with Meritor cam brakes proven in transit buses and the wheel-end equipment -- hubs, drums, automatic slack adjusters and air chambers.

"Over the last several years we have been involved with ArvinMeritor on a number of joint technology developments that have been beneficial to both the transit industry and the overall environment," said Brian Macleod, senior vice president for Gillig. "We've chosen Meritor axles to 'drive' these buses and Meritor brakes to "stop" them due to their proven experience in the transit field, and their ability to deliver reliability, durability and fuel economy."

Gillig Hybrid Technology

Gillig has introduced many environmentally-friendly products to the marketplace. In the early 90s, Gillig produced a variety of alternatively fueled vehicles including those powered by CNG, LNG, propane and methanol. These were later followed by a series hybrid electric bus with regenerative braking produced in 1995 and the first North American production-built fuel cell bus in 2003; "but perhaps the most promising new technology for transit buses is the parallel hybrid electric drive system," said Brian Macleod. "We built the world's first parallel hybrid bus in 2000, and now we will be building over 150 of them for this Consortium order."

A long-time veteran to the hybrid arena, ArvinMeritor has had a hybrid drivetrain package, specifically in the bus-coach market since 1987. In 2005, the company announced a new hybrid drivetrain package development program with Unicell Ltd. for a fully-electric drive vehicle. Vehicles in this program will appear on the road this year.

Gillig is a manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses and is a 115 year old privately held corporation located in the San Francisco Bay area. Gillig's commitment to quality and value have gained it a strong reputation for performance and customer satisfaction throughout the transit industry.

ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier 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 certain aftermarkets. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 29,000 people at more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 25 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: http://www.arvinmeritor.com/.