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Arvin Industries and Meritor Automotive Shareholders Approve Merger

7 July 2000

Arvin Industries and Meritor Automotive Shareholders Approve Merger

    COLUMBUS, Ind. and TROY, Mich. - At special meetings held today, shareholders 
of Arvin Industries, Inc. and Meritor Automotive, Inc. , approved the merger of 
the two companies.  As a result, the two will merge to form ArvinMeritor, Inc. ,
a $7.5 billion global automotive supplier.  The companies expect the merger to 
take effect late Friday, July 7, 2000.  ArvinMeritor stock is scheduled to 
begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, July 10, 2000, under the
ticker symbol "ARM."

    Owners of Arvin and Meritor shares will receive information on exchanging
their shares of stock for newly issued ArvinMeritor, Inc. common stock through
the company's joint exchange agent, EquiServe Trust Company.  Under the terms
of the merger agreement, Arvin shareholders will receive one share of
ArvinMeritor common stock plus $2.00 in cash for each share owned of Arvin
common stock.  Meritor shareholders will receive 0.75 share of ArvinMeritor
common stock for each share owned of Meritor common stock.  As a result, the
completed merger will create 71.0 million shares of ArvinMeritor common stock.

    Arvin Industries, Inc., is a global manufacturer of automotive components
with over 60 manufacturing facilities and 6 technical centers located in 22
countries.  Arvin is a leading manufacturer of automotive exhaust systems;
ride control products; air, oil and fuel filters; and gas charged lift
supports.  Replacement products are sold under various trademarks including
Arvin, Maremont, Timax, ANSA and ROSI exhaust systems; Gabriel shock
absorbers; Purolator filters; and StrongArm gas charged lift supports.

    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:  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 coach, and fire and rescue; and
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.

    This news release contains statements relating to future results that are
"forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected
as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.