ArvinMeritor to Develop First Dual-Mode Heavy-Duty Diesel-Electric Drivetrain for Wal-Mart Transportation

Development vehicle offers reduced fuel consumption, lower maintenance

costs, fewer emissions

    TROY, Mich., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- ArvinMeritor, Inc. and Wal-Mart
 Transportation, Bentonville, Ark., have agreed to development of a
 dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor. The vehicle,
 which is believed to be the first dual-mode diesel-electric tractor
 prototype in development in North America, will be based on an
 International Class 8 ProStar tractor and powered by an engine developed by
 Cummins Inc.
     "We've been working on development of hybrid drivetrains for some
 time," said Carsten J. Reinhardt, president of the company's Commercial
 Vehicle Systems (CVS) business. "This Class 8 project is a major step in
 our continuing work in alternative drivetrain development - both for power
 transmission and emissions - and holds tremendous promise for the worldwide
 heavy-duty trucking market in a number of important environmental and
 economic ways."
     ArvinMeritor will provide the tandem axle, regenerative braking system,
 air disc brakes and advanced ABS with integrated stability control and
 driver assistance systems (from Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems),
 software, electronic controls, transfer case, motors, as well as the
 battery power from a third party.
     "ArvinMeritor is a leader in all areas of drivetrain and brake system
 development for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and is an ideal partner for
 Wal-Mart for the development of this dual-mode diesel-electric systems,"
 said Tim Yatsko, senior vice president-transportation for Wal-Mart. "We
 knew it would take a highly integrated approach, and we believe
 ArvinMeritor understands all of the pieces of the puzzle needed to complete
 this picture."
     Wal-Mart had announced earlier that in the next 10 years, it intends to
 double the fuel efficiency for its fleet of heavy-duty trucks.
     Dual-mode diesel-electric drivetrains, which have both mechanical and
 electrical propulsion systems, use the electric motor drive primarily for
 periods of high demand under low-speed, high-load operating conditions,
 such as accelerating from a stop. Once moving, the mechanical propulsion
 system begins to blend its power with the electric motor until it reaches
 highway speeds, where the drive phases to completely mechanical. The
 electrical system can provide additional power during hill climbing, even
 at highway speeds.
     In addition to its work at highway speeds, the engine also charges an
 onboard energy storage system, which provides power to the electric motor
 when demand is high. Energy that is generated during braking is captured
 and stored using regenerative braking.
     In March 2005, ArvinMeritor announced an arrangement with Unicell on a
 commercial pick-up and delivery program with an ArvinMeritor alternative
 drivetrain, featuring the company's electric axle and system integration of
 motors, gears and controls. It offers zero emissions and fossil fuel
 consumption, a ten percent increase in driver productivity from vehicle
 enhancements. The end-user customer is considering a larger order of the
 vehicle.
     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 light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty
 original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets. Headquartered in
 Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 27,500 people at more than
 112 manufacturing facilities in 26 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.
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010524/ARVINLOGO )
 
 

SOURCE ArvinMeritor, Inc.