New Meritor Trailer Suspension Series Brings Performance Benefits to North American Truck-Trailer Operators

FRANKFORT, Ky., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ArvinMeritor, Inc. (NYSE: ARM) today unveiled an all-new series of durable, trailing-arm air ride trailer suspensions to meet  the needs of North American truck-trailer operators in vocational markets – including platform, tank, grain, dump, chassis, bulk, specialty, lowboy, livestock and specialty vans.  

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The Meritor Trailing-Arm Air (MTA) suspension series was introduced here at the company's U.S. trailer products manufacturing facility to industry journalists and key OEM customers. The MTA series of top-mount and low-mount models completes the company's lineup of air suspension solutions.

Final customer integration and manufacturing readiness -- on the first model, the MTA23 -- continues through summer, with production launch in fall 2010.

"We are focused on and committed to providing only the highest quality suspensions," said Craig Frohock, general manager, Trailer Products, ArvinMeritor. "Over the coming months, we'll work closely with our customers, our supply chain, and our manufacturing and quality teams to ensure flawless delivery and product performance for our customers."

The five subsequent models will be unveiled in the last quarter of the year and through summer 2011. 

The suspension series features three technology advancements with distinct operational benefits:

• Patented pivot bushing – absorbs road input resulting in a softer ride, more cargo protection, and reduced torsional stress on the vehicle's structure. Patented steel interleaf shims in the bushing provide improved fore-aft stiffness aiding in dynamic axle alignment, better tire wear, and controlled roll steer.  
• Larger, more robust shock absorbers – specifically tuned to Meritor suspension with three times the damping power, over competitors. Larger bore design for greater suspension control, and more consistent tire contact with the ground, reducing tire tread wear, improved braking and enhanced handling.
• Unique, patent-pending axle wrap design – for secure and durable axle connection. Also contributes to superior suspension durability, according to company engineers.

The integrated design includes Meritor trailer axles and brakes, and is available with Q Plus cam or air disc brakes, automatic slack adjusters, the SteelLite X30 drum and lightweight hub, and the MTIS (Meritor Tire Inflation System) by PSI.

"This new suspension series provides customers an engineering-proven solution in our suspensions portfolio. Our track record of serving OE and fleet customers with specifications - quality manufacturing - and 'after the sale' support is unsurpassed," said Frohock. "It's another way we can help provide our customers with superior suspension technology and reliability."  

The suspension offers a five year, 500,000 mile warranty.

"We've listened closely to our customers," said Frohock. "The time is right, the technology is honed and proven, and as our customers consider purchasing and specifying trailers, they must closely consider the Meritor MTA series suspension."

"The Meritor brand stands for strength and dependability that transcends to the company's commercial vehicle axles, brakes and suspensions, products which carry some of the toughest loads imaginable on roadways all across North America," said Frohock. The company also produces the RideSentry air ride suspensions MPA (Meritor Parallelogram Air) 20, 38, and 40.  

At an earlier press event this year, the company introduced a major drivetrain component (the 14X drive axle), the first in a series of new technological breakthroughs from Meritor. ArvinMeritor executives have stated that with the gradual trucking industry recovery, the timing is "ideal" for major new component introductions that improve vehicle performance and enhance truck and trailer operators' efficient operations.  

Two Market Differentiators

The company's highly-regarded, experienced district managers located across the U.S. and Canada will assist fleets and dealers with specifications, technical support, and training and service of the new trailer suspension series.  

For after-the-sale support, the company's Aftermarket business, complete with parts inventory and service specialists in Florence, Ky., and Brampton, Ontario, is prepared to supply the aftermarket channels with comprehensive service parts to support the new suspension for minimal downtime and maximum operating time.  

About ArvinMeritor

ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket for the transportation and industrial sectors. The company marked its centennial anniversary in 2009, celebrating a long history of 'forward thinking.' The company serves commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets, and light vehicle manufacturers. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: http://www.arvinmeritor.com.

SOURCE ArvinMeritor, Inc.