TROY, Mich., Apr. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ArvinMeritor, Inc. is reducing the generation of pollutants worldwide, designing products that weigh less and provide greater fuel economy, and partnering to develop hybrid and electric vehicles -- all focused on improving the environment.
In an effort to minimize adverse environmental impacts from ArvinMeritor's manufacturing operations, the company recycled 72 percent of the solid waste it generated globally in 2007 -- which equals approximately 187,684 metric tons of scrap metal, cardboard and used oils.
ArvinMeritor is also manufacturing "greener" products. Passenger vehicle products called smart systems(TM) will reduce the weight of the vehicle. The first smart systems(TM) product to appear on the market is the Highly-Integrated Plastic (HIP) door module, which will replace the steel door module and reduce weight by 25 percent -- in addition to improving fuel economy.
In partnership agreements with commercial vehicle customers, ArvinMeritor has developed a package that will reduce the weight of a vehicle by as much as 700 pounds. Weight-reduction products include the aluminum carrier rear axle, Meritor Lite Flex trailer composite spring, the Meritor X30 lightweight steel drums and the Meritor Tire Inflation System, which supports super-single tires. This product package is expected to improve fuel consumption.
ArvinMeritor is also involved in a joint project to build a Class 8 hybrid vehicle with International Truck and Cummins for Wal-Mart Transportation. The vehicle is expected to be on the road for testing by the end of the year. Another ArvinMeritor partnership has already helped develop Canada's first electric vehicle -- the Purolator Quicksider. The vehicle produces zero greenhouse gas emissions.
About ArvinMeritor
ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets, and light vehicle manufacturers. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 18,000 people in 24 countries. 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/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward- looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "are likely to be," "will" and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to global economic and market cycles and conditions; the demand for commercial, specialty and light vehicles for which the company supplies products; availability and sharply rising cost of raw materials, including steel and oil; risks inherent in operating abroad (including foreign currency exchange rates and potential disruption of production and supply due to terrorist attacks or acts of aggression); OEM program delays; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; reliance on major OEM customers; labor relations of the company, its suppliers and customers, including potential disruptions in supply of parts to our facilities or demand for our products due to work stoppages; the financial condition of the company's suppliers and customers, including potential bankruptcies; possible adverse effects of any future suspension of normal trade credit terms by our suppliers; potential difficulties competing withcompanies that have avoided their existing contracts in bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings; successful integration of acquired or merged businesses; the ability to achieve the expected annual savings and synergies from past and future business combinations and the ability to achieve the expected benefits of restructuring actions; success and timing of potential divestitures; potential impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill; potential adjustment of the value of deferred tax assets; competitive product and pricing pressures; the amount of the company's debt; the ability of the company to continue to comply with covenants in its financing agreements; the ability of the company to access capital markets; credit ratings of the company's debt; the outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, including any litigation with respect to environmental or asbestos-related matters; the outcome of actual and potential product liability and warranty and recall claims; rising costs of pension and other post-retirement benefits and possible changes in pension and other accounting rules; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed herein and from time to time in other filings of the company with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
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