College for Creative Studies and ArvinMeritor partner for Second year To Create Fuel‐Efficient Truck of Tomorrow

DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2011 – For the second consecutive year, ArvinMeritor has entered into a heavy‐duty truck design partnership program with one of the nation’s leading art‐design universities, College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit. This year’s semester‐long program ‐‐ involving 15 senior‐level students ‐‐ focused more on impending government regulations to slash fuel consumption and emissions by 10 to 20 percent. Navistar International’s truck designers also consulted on the project.

“The new government regulations will change the way companies make trucks. As professionals in the field, we know that it is important that students stay abreast of any new laws. Designers must look at the entire picture when designing a vehicle not just the aesthetics. We are confident that our CCS students are well prepared in this regard,” said Mark West, professor and assistant chair of MFA Transportation Design at CCS, noting the students’ designs addressed fuel efficiency, sustainability/recycling, and aerodynamic issues. The students also closely considered the vehicle’s life expectancy, hybrid powertrains, integrated solar panels, highway safety, driver comfort and safety, and serviceability.

The multi‐phase design program included extensive research, on‐site visits with suppliers, and this year, some students were selected to receive scholarships. This year’s first place scholarship winner was Kelly Stieler, followed by second place winner Stephen Rapaski and third place winner Robert Liddell.

Students also developed digital models and physical scale exterior models of their concepts with valuable input from ArvinMeritor, along with engineering designers at Navistar International Corporation. The student models that will be built to scale and displayed at the Mid‐America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. in mid March are from Stephen Rapaski, Devon Palmer and Austin Fodell.

“Community service is ingrained in ArvinMeritor’s culture,” said Jerry Rush, senior director, Government and Community Relations, ArvinMeritor. The scholarships provided are examples of our on‐going commitment to building partnerships that advance education.”

The collaboration between CCS and ArvinMeritor was established in 1998 with the "Visions of the Future" automotive design competition.