With the recent sale of its European exhaust aftermarket business, ArvinMeritor has sharpened its focus on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) systems engineering. This includes a renewed emphasis on its global ride control business, as manifested through a recently announced joint venture with TRW Automotive Aftermarket to distribute Gabriel and TRW branded shock absorber ranges for the European independent aftermarket. The joint venture will begin operation and distribution in January 2008. "Shock absorbers are an integral element of our core chassis portfolio," says Francois Augnet, vice president for TRW Automotive Aftermarket Europe and Asia Pacific. "We already offer a comprehensive TRW branded range to our European customers and are committed to enhancing it with the Gabriel program to maintain and develop our leading chassis position in the European aftermarket." TRW and ArvinMeritor have agreed to jointly control the future marketing, sales and distribution of the Gabriel and TRW aftermarket programs throughout Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Augnet adds: "By combining the strengths of ArvinMeritor's engineering and manufacturing competencies and the Gabriel brand name with TRW's extensive sales and distribution network, we are confident that we can roll out successful shock absorber programs for the European independent aftermarket." "This is a great example of how both partners can share in the investment, as well as reap the benefits," says Marlen Silverii, general manager for ArvinMeritor's global ride control aftermarket business. "The Gabriel aftermarket product line is technically very strong, and when partnered with TRW's growing aftermarket presence, it will offer our aftermarket customers a strong chassis alternative." For more information on the merger visit the ArvinMeritor or TRW Automotive Aftermarket Web sites. |
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