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Acquisition Strategically Positions Meritor As Complete Sunroof Systems Supplier

26 February 1998

Acquisition Strategically Positions Meritor As Complete Sunroof Systems Supplier

    DETROIT, Feb. 26 -- Already known in the global automotive
industry as a leader in providing innovative slide-and-tilt sunroof systems,
Meritor Automotive, Inc. recently gained spoiler sunroof design
and manufacturing capabilities after acquiring Westmont Technik GmbH & Co. KG
of Dusseldorf, Germany, a designer and manufacturer of spoiler sunroofs.
    The acquisition compliments Meritor's Roof Systems business by enabling
the company to provide spoiler sunroofs, which have grown in popularity as an
alternative sunroof design.  The spoiler design has become increasingly
important as car designs have become smaller.  Smaller roofs cannot always
accommodate the traditional slide-and-tilt configuration, where the glass
slides into the interior of the vehicle.  The glass on a spoiler sunroof opens
and tilts above the roof.
    "We view the addition of Westmont's expertise and products as a strategic
move to enter the expanding spoiler sunroof market, both for OEM and
aftermarket applications," said Ken Myers, general manager of Roof Systems -
Americas.  "Although there are spoiler sunroof designs already being used in
the industry, we are blending Westmont's advanced technology with our proven
sunroof expertise to build on existing products and manufacture new and
improved spoiler sunroof systems."
    The acquisition compliments Meritor's Roof Systems - Americas' design and
manufacturing capabilities based in Brighton, Mich.  The facility is the
Center of Expertise for Meritor's spoiler sunroof designs worldwide.
    Meritor's Roof Systems business is a world-class supplier of sunroof
systems and sunvisors.  Approximately 2 million Meritor sunroofs, canvas top
roofs and complete roof modules are installed annually in cars and light
trucks around the globe.  The division supplies the majority of the world's
passenger car manufacturers and is uniquely positioned to meet the
requirements of vehicle manufacturers for roof system design, engineering and
manufacturing.
    Meritor, with 1997 sales of $3.3 billion, is a global supplier of a broad
range of components and systems for commercial, specialty and light vehicles.
Meritor consists of two businesses:  Heavy Vehicle Systems, a leading supplier
of drivetrain systems and components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks,
trailers and off-highway equipment and specialty vehicles including military,
bus and coach, fire and rescue; and Light Vehicle Systems, a major supplier of
roof, door, access control and seat adjusting systems, electric motors,
suspension systems and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and sport
utility vehicles.

SOURCE  Meritor Automotive, Inc.