Commercial success

Technology transfer, a Class 8 hybrid, and lightweighting efforts highlight ArvinMeritor's innovation push in the commercial-vehicle space.

ArvinMeritor may have exited the light-vehicle business (only the Body Systems unit remains to be divested, which should occur by year-end), but it has not abandoned the wealth of knowledge and engineering expertise acquired from that segment.

To achieve positive results in its “three key areas of innovation”-fuel efficiency, safety, and durability-the commercial-vehicle supplier is not only investing in engineering and R&D; it is also drawing heavily upon its previous work on the light-duty side, Chip McClure, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of ArvinMeritor, shared at the annual SAEWorld Congress breakfast sponsored by the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership.