The First New Product From Meritor Automotive*

4 September 1997

      Innovative Trailer Air Suspension System Offers Important Weight,
  Operational Benefits; Positions Meritor as Complete Undercarriage Supplier

    DETROIT, Sept. 4 -- Meritor Automotive Inc. has introduced
its first new product for the trucking industry -- a new trailer air
suspension system designated the RHP Highway Parallelogram.  The system
features a tandem suspension with integrated slider, trailer axles and brakes.
    Unveiled here today to the North American trucking publication editors,
the system is being offered through Rockwell Heavy Vehicle Suspension Systems,
Inc. (RHVSS), a joint venture announced in May 1996.
    Designed specifically for dry vans, reefers and other sliding tandem
trailers, the new system will be available through most major North American
trailer manufacturers in October 1997.  Production and shipment of product has
already begun.
    The RHP system is lighter than any competitive package on the market,
providing up to a 275 lb. weight advantage over today's "lightweight" models.
Through its unique design, this new suspension system prevents dock walk,
unlike competitive systems that may require heavy add-on equipment.
    "Three weeks ago we announced our new company name, Meritor Automotive,
which we will begin using when we are established as a separate company,
expected to be October 1," said Prakash Mulchandani, president of Meritor's
Worldwide Truck and Trailer Systems business.  "Today, we are excited to
introduce the first new product from Meritor -- an innovative trailer air
suspension system that will revolutionize the heavy-duty trailer industry."
    Components of the RHP system will be produced at the company's
manufacturing facilities in Kenton, Ohio, and Canal Fulton, Ohio, as well as a
carefully selected group of Meritor suppliers.  Final assembly is currently
taking place in limited quantities at Canal Fulton.  Production will be ramped
up by establishing several regional assembly facilities close to Meritor's
customer base.  Meritor plans to be able to supply the market-at-large by mid
1998.
    "The RHP is the proof of our stated goal of becoming a complete trailer
undercarriage supplier with durable, low maintenance systems and components
which help customers operate safer and more efficiently," Mulchandani said.
    "Meritor is the leading supplier of trailer axles in North America and
also holds a leadership position in supplying both trailer axles and air
suspensions in Europe," said Roger Storey, general manager of Meritor's
Worldwide Trailer Products business.  "As a result, it is our rich heritage
and our long-standing proven performance that makes the RHP the ideal choice
for North American trailer OEMs and fleet operators."
    More new air suspension models, including single axle and non-sliding
designs, will be introduced from RHVSS over the next two years, according to
Storey.

    Innovative design provides distinct benefits
    Compared to conventional trailer suspensions, the new RHP incorporates a
lightweight "systems" approach that integrates the slider with the suspension
axles and brakes.  It is an efficient sliding tandem system centered around a
single, unified frame bracket -- rather than two separate trailing arm
suspensions on a frame -- resulting in a compact tandem suspension that is at
least 26 percent shorter than conventional trailing arms suspensions.  Since
the upper and lower control arms are parallel to each other, dock walk is
eliminated.  With the air springs directly over the axles rather than behind,
the RHP provides an exceptionally smooth ride, according to Bob Zirlin,
director of marketing for Meritor's Worldwide Trailer Products business.
    This unique design also offers a number of other advantages over
competitors' models, including:

    * Convenient realignment through the same type of adjustable torque rods
used on mechanical suspensions;
    * Easy access to all system components, including air springs, shock
absorbers, leveling valves and brake chambers;
    * Conventional brake mounting with components that are widely available,
in a design proven by over 50 years of experience;
    * Rugged urethane bushings that are designed for low maintenance, and are
easily replaced, if necessary, without special tools; and
    * Only two shock absorbers per tandem in most applications for reduced
weight and maintenance expense.

    "In a nutshell we've revolutionized this 'package' by making it lighter
weight, easier to service and by eliminating dock walk," said Zirlin.  "And
with a design that avoids roll torque on the axles, permits parallel movement
of the air springs and provides such a smooth ride, we've developed a system
that is very easy on the trailer."

    Innovative design eliminates dock walk
    Dock walk occurs in trailers with conventional trailing arm suspensions
when the trailer is disconnected from the air supply, the spring brakes are
engaged and the wheels are locked.  Forklift loading or unloading results in
the trailing arms moving in a forward arc, which causes the wheels to push the
trailer bed forward.
    Repeated loading cycles can cause a widening gap between the rear of the
trailer and the dock.  Sometimes the forward motion of the trailer causes the
landing gear to collapse.
    Ervin VanDenberg, president of RHVSS and leader of the team that designed
and developed the RHP Highway Parallelogram system, said, "A major advantage
of the RHP is its parallel design.  This design prevents dock walk by
restricting a trailer's motion to a vertical axis.  The suspension's upper and
lower control arms move up and down in a parallel motion whenever weight
shifts on the trailer bed.  Because the axles do not rotate, there is no
tendency for the trailer to move forward."
    Unlike competitive air suspensions which require additional equipment to
help prevent dock walk, this feature is built into the unique design of the
RHP system, according to VanDenberg.

    A Single Source "Systems" Approach
    "The fully integrated RHP suspension system provides customers with a
single source for their trailers' suspension, slider, axle and brake needs
when it comes to spec'ing and servicing," Zirlin said.
    The RHP comes standard with Meritor's TQ trailer axles and 16.5" x 7" Q
Series cam brakes and is backed by an industry-competitive 5-Year/500,000-Mile
warranty.  TP and TB Series (new unitized hub system) trailer axles and
16.5" x 7" or 8" Q Plus cam brakes are available options.  Also, Meritor
automatic slack adjusters (standard at most trailer OEMs) and Rockwell WABCO
anti-lock braking systems (ABS) can be added to the package.  ABS will be
mandatory on trailers as of March 1, 1998.
    "A major advantage of the RHP system is that it uses industry-standard
trailer axles and brakes, so parts are readily available virtually
everywhere," Zirlin said.  "Also, most Meritor trailer brake and truck brake
parts are interchangeable, so less inventory is required."
     If needed, aftermarket replacement parts for the RHP are available
through Meritor's aftermarket distribution centers in Florence, Ky., and
Brampton, Ont.
    Meritor's Worldwide Truck and Trailer Systems business supplies vehicle
manufacturers around the world with the industry's most complete drivetrain --
Drivetrain Plus(TM).  Meritor components include axles -- steer, drive and
trailer; trailer air suspensions; brakes -- cam, wedge and air disc; automatic
slack adjusters; clutches; transmissions; driveshafts and universal joints;
anti-lock braking systems and air dryers; transfer cases; on-board computer
systems; and aftermarket parts.
    Meritor Automotive is a global supplier of a broad range of components and
systems for commercial specialty and light vehicles.  The company comprises
two businesses: Heavy Vehicle Systems, a leading supplier of drivetrain
systems and components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, traders, 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 and seat adjusting systems, electric motors and electronic controls,
suspension systems and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and sport
utility vehicles.

    * The formation of our new company is expected to be completed by
September 30, 1997.

SOURCE  Meritor Automotive Inc.