GUADALAJARA, Mexico (Nov. 20, 2002) — Auto and truck component supplier ArvinMeritor said it has taken steps to strengthen its Dirona joint venture with Quimmco, S.A . de C.V. of Monterrey, Mexico.

The joint venture will be renamed Sistemas Automotrices de Mexico and will be mutually managed by ArvinMeritor and Quimmco.

The restructured joint venture will establish a 50/50 partnership focused on manufacturing and supplying a combined offering of Dirona, Sudisa and Meritor brands of axles, air brakes, and drivelines for medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks and trailers to vehicle manufacturers’ facilities located in Mexico through ArvinMeritor.

ArvinMeritor will assume primary engineering, marketing and sales leadership in the Mexican market for the OE and aftermarket channels. ArvinMeritor’s aftermarket efforts will expand to include commercial vehicle drivetrain, braking, and undercarriage assemblies and components

Dirona was founded in June 1975 as a joint venture between Dina, Rockwell Automotive (now ArvinMeritor), and Nacional Financiera as a supplier of rear and front axles, brakes and other related commercial vehicle components. Sudisa, which is now owned by Dirona, was a manufacturer and distributor of trailer axles to original equipment manufacturers.