TROY, Mich., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- ArvinMeritor, Inc. (NYSE: ARM) today hosted U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to showcase the company's advanced technologies for Class 8 commercial vehicles. Highlighted technologies included the dual-mode hybrid Class 8 drivetrain and stability control and collision safety systems, offered by the company's Meritor WABCO joint venture.

Secretary LaHood and other members of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) met with the company's executive leadership team and experienced test drives in two heavy-duty trucks that demonstrated the company's hybrid drivetrain and highway safety technologies including stability control and collision safety systems. LaHood also participated in a town hall meeting with ArvinMeritor employees.

"We were honored to host Secretary LaHood and members of DOT, and were particularly pleased to demonstrate our alternative-power solutions for heavy-duty trucks which reduce energy consumption, emissions and greenhouse gasses," said ArvinMeritor's Chairman, CEO and President Chip McClure. "We were also proud to demonstrate our leading-edge safety technologies to DOT which have the potential to significantly reduce accidents and save lives," said McClure.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, "ArvinMeritor is one of the leaders in developing safer and more environmentally sound technologies for heavy trucks and other vehicles. I appreciated having the opportunity to visit and learn about the new and innovative ideas for making truck transportation safer."

Other governmental officials including Congressman Gary Peters, Senator Carl Levin, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Governor Jennifer Granholm and Carol Browner, director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, have also visited ArvinMeritor to review the company's advanced solutions for heavy-duty trucks and test drive the company's hybrid truck.

ArvinMeritor's hybrid truck features the first Meritor diesel-electric drivetrain that combines both mechanical and electrical propulsion systems and is designed for linehaul trucks, which comprise the largest segment of the commercial vehicle population. With regard to safety systems, the current administration is studying the impact and benefits of stability control systems in Class 8 vehicles.

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 serves commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets, and light vehicle manufacturers. ArvinMeritor marked its centennial anniversary in 2009, celebrating a long history of 'forward thinking.' ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For important information about the company, visit arvinmeritor.com.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010524/ARVINLOGO )

SOURCE ArvinMeritor, Inc.