ArvinMeritor Inc. has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in the Wai Gao Qiao, Shanghai Free Trade Zone to more strongly keep pace with China's growing commercial vehicle market.

Initially, about 20 people will be employed at the facility.
The operation is expected to produce $5 million in sales in fiscal year 2003.
According to Larry Dowers, vice president of business development and China operations, the facility will initially assemble and manufacture bus and coach axles and brakes. These will include components for low floor buses.
Subsequently the scope of the facility calls for assembling and supplying total axle assemblies for commercial vehicles to satisfy the needs of major global customers like those in China.
"Our two joint ventures, along with our other business operations in China, continue to give us great confidence in the burgeoning commercial vehicle market," said Tom Gosnell, president of the firm's commercial vehicle systems business group. "The new facility offers our company more growth and the ability to serve more existing and potential customers."
The company operates two joint ventures in China -- Xuzhou, Jiangsu for specialty axles, which employs about 1,000 persons; and Shiyan City, Hubei, which employs about 200 persons and manufactures brakes.
The company's two other Chinese manufacturing facilities are located in Zhenjiang and Shanghai, and they produce light vehicle system components and air and emissions products, respectively.
For more information, visit the company's web site at www.arvinmeritor.com