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Meritor Introduces Lightweight Braking Package

25 March 1999

Meritor Introduces Lightweight Braking Package; Reduces Vehicle Weight by More than 300 Pounds

    LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 24 -- Meritor Automotive Inc.
has introduced a lightweight braking package that can eliminate
more than 300 pounds from a typical tractor-trailer combination braking
system, increasing vehicle payload and fuel efficiency.  Introduced as part of
Meritor's complete braking system, the package was announced today at the Mid-
America Trucking Show.
    Meritor's lightweight offering includes a stamped spider from the
QPlus(TM) brake family, as well as SteelLite X30(TM) brake drums and
DaytonLite(TM) hubs.  The latter two components were added to the Meritor
product family with the company's recent acquisition of LucasVarity Heavy
Vehicle Braking Systems.  When used together, the components eliminate up to
306 pounds from the standard braking component package used on a heavy truck
tractor-trailer combination -- without sacrificing strength, performance or
durability.
    "Two of the top questions fleets and owner operators ask when spec'ing
their vehicles are 'How much does it cost?' and 'How much weight can I save?'"
said Walt Frankiewicz, vice president and general manager of Meritor's Heavy
Vehicle Systems (HVS) Braking Systems business.  "Vehicle weight savings is
critical to their profitability, and Meritor is always looking at more
innovative ways of bringing components to market that positively impact our
customers' bottom line."
    Of the potential 306-pound weight savings, up to 124 pounds is realized by
using SteelLite(TM) drums and DaytonLite(TM) hubs on the tandem trailer axle
set.  By coupling the same hubs and drums with Meritor's stamped spider on the
tractor drive axle set, truck operators can realize another 150 pounds
savings.  The tractor steering axle equipped with the SteelLite(TM) drums can
reduce weight by another 32 pounds.
    A 1997 study by the American Trucking Association (ATA) reported that the
dollar value associated with each pound of vehicle weight ranges from $1 per
pound (rental/leasing vehicles), up to $5.40 per pound (bulk carriers) per
year.  With Meritor's lightweight braking package, truck operators can save
more than $1,600 per vehicle per year.
    "This savings can impact the bottom line of any fleet or owner operator,
but imagine the significance for fleets running hundreds of units at a time,"
said Frankiewicz.  "Our stopping systems expertise allows Meritor to -- again
-- deliver to our customers a package that provides benefits that competitive
offerings cannot."
    Meritor, with 1998 sales of $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.