LIVONIA, MI and PARIS — Equip’Auto — TRW Automotive Aftermarket, a business of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., has entered into an agreement to create a joint venture with ArvinMeritor to distribute Gabriel- and TRW-branded shock absorber ranges for the European independent aftermarket. The joint venture is expected to begin operation and distribution in January 2008.

Francois Augnet, vice president for TRW Automotive Aftermarket Europe and Asia Pacific, said: "Shock absorbers are an integral element of our core chassis portfolio. 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.

"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," Augnet added.

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.

With the joint venture, TRW and ArvinMeritor will jointly control the future marketing, sales and distribution of the Gabriel and TRW aftermarket programs throughout Western, Central and Eastern Europe.

Marlen Silverii, general manager for ArvinMeritor’s global ride control aftermarket business added, "This is a great example of how both partners can share in the investment, as well as reap the benefits. 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 about TRW, go to: http://www.trwauto.com.

To learn more about ArvinMeritor, visit: http://www.arvinmeritor.com.