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Tripmaster(R) On-Board Computer System Returns as a Member of Meritor's Drivetrain Plus(TM)

19 December 1997

Tripmaster(R) On-Board Computer System Returns as a Member of Meritor's Drivetrain Plus(TM)

        Another Step to Help Truck Operators with 'One-Stop Shopping'

    TROY, Mich., Dec. 19 -- Meritor Automotive has
announced the return of the Tripmaster(R) on-board trip recorder system to its
Drivetrain Plus(TM) family of heavy vehicle drivetrain components.  Marketing
and sales efforts of the systems will now be based from Meritor's Troy, Mich.,
headquarters, while engineering efforts will continue in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
    The Tripmaster on-board trip recorder system monitors and records every
second of a vehicle's operation to provide customized information for better
fleet management.  The system consists of a solid-state, electronic computer
trip recorder, software and several options to tailor information to an
individual fleet.
    The Tripmaster system was originally a member of Drivetrain Plus, before
being administered for the past several years by Rockwell International's
Automotive Electronics organization in Cedar Rapids.  "The 'return' of
Tripmaster to Drivetrain Plus is good news for North American fleets and truck
operators," said Carl Soderstrom, vice president of Engineering, Heavy Vehicle
Systems.
    "The reunion of Tripmaster with Drivetrain Plus will provide truck
operators and fleet directors with a single, experienced supplier of complete
drivetrain components and systems," he added.  "Meritor's experience in
vehicular data processing and communications systems, combined with its
superior customer support, will allow Tripmaster customers to experience new
technological innovations and even quicker responsiveness."
    Gary Ford, formerly of Rockwell Automation, has been appointed director of
Electronics, responsible for the Tripmaster business.  Ford will be based in
Troy.
    Paul Jenkins has been named director of Engineering for Tripmaster, and
will continue to oversee all activities in Cedar Rapids.
    North American fleet managers and truck operators can obtain the
Tripmaster system through an extensive North American distribution network.
The Tripmaster system is available with three valuable options: DataTrax,
InfoTrax and ServiceTrax.

    * DataTrax(TM), the most recent addition to the Tripmaster system line-up,
integrates Tripmaster system capabilities with global positioning system (GPS)
technology.  GPS provides the capability of associating vehicle position and
time with critical vehicle and driver information.
    * InfoTrax(TM) software provides an invaluable tool for gathering,
managing and analyzing data by generating custom reports to help improve
customer service and fleet efficiency.  These reports could include
information on fuel use, speed/rpm, trip summaries, DOT driver logs and more.
    * ServiceTrax(TM), a companion product of InfoTrax and DataTrax,
integrates customer service into Tripmaster.  ServiceTrax includes: technical
support, monthly bulletins, product descriptions and instructions, on-line
help, training, Internet assistance, and product support.
    Meritor is a global supplier of a broad range of components and systems
for commercial, specialty and light vehicles.  The company comprises two major
businesses: Heavy Vehicle Systems, a leading supplier of drivetrain systems
and components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers, off-highway
equipment and specialty vehicles including military, bus and coach, and fire
and rescue; and Light Vehicle Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access
control and seat adjusting systems, electric motors and electronic controls,
suspension systems and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and sport
utility vehicles.

SOURCE  Meritor Automotive