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Meritor Automotive Elects T. E. O'Rourke, President Light Vehicle Systems Business

16 March 1999

Meritor Automotive Elects Terrence E. O'Rourke President Of Its Light Vehicle Systems Business

    TROY, Mich., March 15 -- Meritor Automotive Inc.
today announced that its board of directors has elected Terrence E. O'Rourke
as President of its Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business and a Senior Vice
President of the Company.
    O'Rourke assumes the position from Larry D. Yost, Meritor Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, who has been serving as acting President of LVS since
January 1998.  O'Rourke joins Meritor from Lear Corporation where he was a
Group Vice President and President of its Ford Division.
    O'Rourke will lead all aspects of the global LVS business, including the
development and implementation of strategic actions designed to sharpen its
focus in support of Meritor's overall financial goals.
    Recording sales of approximately $1.5 billion in 1998, LVS is a major
global supplier of automotive modules, systems and components for passenger
cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles.  LVS employs more than 8,000
people in manufacturing sites, sales, technical and administrative offices and
joint venture operations in 16 countries.
    "Terrence O'Rourke's election marks a substantial addition to the Meritor
senior leadership team," said Yost.  "With his extensive experience in the
automotive industry, combined with his customer focus, supply chain and
production management skills, Terry is ideally suited to lead our LVS business
into the 21st century.  I am confident that he will make valuable
contributions that will better position Meritor to serve its global customers
and maximize the full potential of the LVS business," Yost added.
    O'Rourke has 26 years of experience in automotive management and
manufacturing at Lear Corporation and at Ford Motor Company.  He most recently
served as Group Vice President and President of Lear's Ford Division.  Prior
to that, he was President of Lear's Chrysler Division.  O'Rourke began his
automotive career at Ford Motor Company, where he spent 21 years serving in a
variety of management capacities.
    O'Rourke is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
    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 seating adjustment systems and wheels for passenger cars, light
trucks and sport utility vehicles.