1st January 2009 - ArvinMeritor Provides Business Update

ArvinMeritor today provided an update on the previously announced process to sell its Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business, the reorganization of LVS, and its 2009 financial reporting.

"We are firmly committed to our long-term strategy of focusing on the commercial vehicle on- and off-highway market segments for both original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers," said Chip McClure, chairman, CEO and president of ArvinMeritor. "As previously announced, we were in negotiations to sell the LVS business group in its entirety. However, in light of the unprecedented challenges in the credit markets and the volume weakness in our industry, we have determined that in this financial environment we cannot capture the appropriate value for LVS by selling the business as a whole. We are confident that this decision will ultimately generate the best returns for our shareholders."

The company will reorganize its LVS business group to include:

-- Body Systems. While the company continues to pursue a sale of the Body Systems business separately, it will be managed to continue to improve its financial performance and to ensure that a future sale will provide an acceptable return to ArvinMeritor shareholders.

-- Chassis Systems. The company will continue to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives for a timely and orderly exit from this business.

-- Wheels. As previously announced, ArvinMeritor expects to retain the Wheels business.

In May 2008, ArvinMeritor announced a plan to spin off its LVS business to its shareholders within twelve months, contingent upon satisfactory financial and automotive market conditions. Due to the challenging market environment, in October 2008 the company announced that while a spin-off was still an option, it was also investigating alternatives to achieve the separation, including a potential sale. With today's announcement, ArvinMeritor remains committed to separating the businesses.

Management Structure

During an interim period, LVS Body Systems, as well as the LVS corporate staffs, will report to Jay Craig, ArvinMeritor's chief financial officer. LVS Chassis Systems will report to Jim Donlon, executive vice president, and the Wheels business will to report to Mary Lehmann, senior vice president, Strategic Initiatives, and Treasurer.

Effective immediately, Phil Martens former president of LVS will leave the company to pursue other opportunities.

"We appreciate Phil's commitment, dedication and many contributions to the LVS organization," said McClure. "Phil's comprehensive industry insight, international experience and focus on new product development have been valuable assets to our company."

Update on 2009 Fiscal Year Financial Reporting

At the ArvinMeritor 2008 Annual Analyst Day meeting held in New York on Dec. 9, the company provided 2009 first fiscal quarter guidance and a sensitivity analysis for certain financial metrics for expected continuing operations. Due to the changes announced today regarding LVS, the company expects the composition of continuing operations to be different than what was reflected in the news release and presentation distributed on Dec. 9, and assumed for the purposes of discussing the company's continuing operations on a going forward basis. For that reason only, the company is withdrawing the guidance and the sensitivity analysis that was provided at that time.

About Light Vehicle - Body Systems and Chassis Systems

ArvinMeritor's LVS Body Systems is a world leader in the design and manufacture of components, systems and modules for car and light truck window, door, access control and roof applications. The LVS Chassis Systems business is focused on components and complete suspension systems for car and light trucks for global OEMs and the aftermarket.

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

Source: ArvinMeritor Press Release