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Meritor Automotive Appoints Jeff Stoner Vice President, Procurement    

28 February 2000

Meritor Automotive Appoints Jeff Stoner Vice President, Procurement    

    TROY, Mich., Feb. 28 -- Meritor Automotive, Inc.
has named Jeff Stoner to the post of vice president, Procurement.  He reports
to S. Carl Soderstrom, senior vice president, Engineering, Quality and
Procurement, and will be located at Meritor's world headquarters in Troy,
Mich.  In his new role, Stoner is responsible for the strategic direction and
leadership for all indirect and direct goods and services purchased by Meritor
worldwide.  He is also responsible for planning, developing and implementing
strategic global supply agreements.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000228/DEM026 )
    "Jeff brings a strong background and knowledge of procurement improvement
through innovative purchasing initiatives.  He will play a major role at
Meritor in supporting our efforts to further reduce costs, improve quality and
enhance customer service.  In addition, Jeff will drive the development of
processes that ensure favorable long-term supply agreements in support of our
domestic and international production," said Soderstrom.
    Stoner joins Meritor from DaimlerChrysler, where he had 10 years of
procurement experience and held a variety of management positions in
purchasing and operations.  Most recently, he was senior manager, Truck
Platform Procurement and Supply (P&S).  In this position, he directed various
total system cost management initiatives, including the Supplier Cost
Reduction Effort (SCORE) program, for both current and future model
DaimlerChrysler truck programs.
    Stoner earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of
Michigan; a bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of
Kentucky; and a master's degree in business administration from Michigan State
University
    Meritor, with 1999 sales of $4.5 billion, is a global supplier of a broad
range of systems and components for commercial, specialty and light vehicle
OEMs and the aftermarket.  Meritor consists of two businesses: Light Vehicle
Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access control and suspension systems
and wheel products for passenger cars, light trucks and sport utility
vehicles, and Heavy Vehicle Systems, a leading supplier of complete 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.