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Meritor Automotive Wins PACE Award for Innovation Leadership

3 March 1999

Meritor Automotive Wins Prestigious PACE Award for Innovation Leadership

    TROY, Mich., March 2 -- Meritor Automotive, Inc.
was announced a winner of the 1999 Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contributions
to Excellence (PACE(TM)) award for its Highway Parallelogram trailer air
suspension system.  The Highway Parallelogram system is the first heavy-truck
trailer component to receive the PACE award since the program was established
in 1994.  The award ceremonies were held on March 1 at Michigan's historical
showcase of innovation, the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
    "We are honored that Meritor was chosen for this prestigious automotive
industry award, and even more so that we are one of the select few in the
heavy truck industry to ever be recognized," said Prakash Mulchandani,
president of Meritor's Heavy Vehicle Systems business, who accepted the award
on behalf of the Company.  "It is our 90-year history in the automotive
industry, along with our enthusiasm for serving our customers, which fuels and
energizes our commitment to innovation," he added.
    The PACE Awards program is sponsored by Ernst & Young and Automotive News
to honor the innovations of world-class North American automotive suppliers.
Before becoming a finalist for the award, Meritor participated in a six-month
process in which PACE judges analyzed the leadership, uniqueness and results
of Meritor's Highway Parallelogram system.
    Meritor's Highway Parallelogram is a lightweight tandem trailer air
suspension system with integrated slider, trailer axles and brakes.  The
design is centered around a single, unified frame bracket with a specially-
designed compact slider for a more efficient system than competitive models.
The patented StablRide(TM) torque tubes serve as the upper control arms of the
suspension and provide the system's unique parallel action.  This unique
design eliminates dock walk, is easier on the vehicle and provides an
exceptionally smooth ride.
    "The Highway Parallelogram has been a success with our trailer OEM and
fleet customers because we listened and applied our product knowledge and
experience to their broader problems," said Mulchandani.  "We produced a
system that addresses their issues of rising operating costs, increased
payload, safety and driver comfort.  Also, with the addition of the Highway
Parallelogram to our trailer products line-up, we're able to offer our
customers a complete trailer undercarriage system," Mulchandani added.
    Meritor, with 1998 sales of more than $3.8 billion, is a global supplier
of a broad range of components and systems for commercial, specialty and light
vehicle OEMs and the aftermarket.  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, and fire and rescue; and Light
Vehicle Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access control, suspension
and seat adjusting systems, and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and
sport utility vehicles.
    Meritor Internet Web Site: http://www.meritorauto.com