TROY, Mich., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- ArvinMeritor, Inc (NYSE: ARM) ZF
Friedrichshafen AG, and ZF Meritor, LLC announced today that they have won
the patent infringement suit brought by Eaton Corp. on the ZF FreedomLine
transmission. The suit was heard before a jury in the U.S. District Court
for the Eastern District of Michigan and was initially filed on December 1,
2003.
The jury found that both technology patents at issue in the trial were
invalid and therefore not enforceable against ArvinMeritor, Inc, ZF
Friedrichshafen AG or ZF Meritor LLC on both current and future products.
"This is a significant milestone for ArvinMeritor and ZF's FreedomLine
transmission product line and its superior technology, particularly since
we've been confident the product didn't infringe from the beginning. We've
remained focused on the quality and performance of the FreedomLine
transmission during this entire time and are very pleased our position has
been vindicated," said Carsten Reinhardt, president of ArvinMeritor's
Commercial Vehicle Systems business.
"ZF takes great pride in its innovative products. This suit was an
attempt by Eaton to limit the choice that truck manufacturers offer to
end-users," said Rolf Lutz, group executive, Commercial Vehicle and Special
Technology Division, ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
The FreedomLine transmission is one of the most advanced automated
manual transmissions ever introduced in North America and was the first in
the industry to feature a two-pedal design for use in the fleet market. The
two-pedal design is significantly easier for the drivers to learn and use
when compared to a traditional three-pedal system. The FreedomLine
transmission provides a more comfortable experience for the driver, as well
as fuel economy savings.
ZF is a leading worldwide supplier of driveline and chassis technology.
Headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany, ZF is among the 15 largest
automotive suppliers in the world. The company employs approximately 58,000
at 120 locations in 25 countries, and totaled sales of $17.3 billion in
2007.
ZF operates an extensive manufacturing network in North America,
combined with global research and development capabilities, to provide
advanced technology to the NAFTA region. The ZF Group North American
Operations Headquarters and Technical Center is located in Northville,
Mich., USA.
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. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs
approximately 18,000 people in 24 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010524/ARVINLOGO )
SOURCE ArvinMeritor, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.arvinmeritor.com
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CONTACT:
Media, Krista McClure, +1-248-435-7115,
krista.mcclure@arvinmeritor.com, or D. Mike Pennington,
+1-248-435-1933, david.pennington@arvinmeritor.com, or Investors,
Terry Huch, +1-248-435-9426, terry.huch@arvinmeritor.com, all of
ArvinMeritor, Inc.
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