Press Releases
| Meritor WABCO Unveils New Trailer Stability Enhancement System Offering Improved Trailer Intelligence for the North American Market |
TROY, MICH. – December 11, 2007 – Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems today introduced its new Roll Stability Support trailer system, RSSplusTM , designed specifically for the North American trailer industry to offer more advanced features and added value. RSSplus will be available in late first quarter 2008 through trailer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and as an aftermarket retrofit through trailer OEM dealers. Continuing a history of delivering customer desired solutions, the new system builds upon the company’s current RSS offering which incorporates its industry-leading ABS functionality with other pertinent safety features such as improved roll mitigation. The system retains Meritor WABCO’s field-proven, side-by-side wheel end control which provides superior stability management and helps prevent tire flat spotting and abnormal tire wear. Additionally, the system offers simplified installation and advanced “intelligent” communication capabilities through on-board data recording with event broadcasting capability via Power Line Carrier (PLC) communications or telematic devices. Jon Morrison, president and general manager of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, said, “As pioneers of this significant technology, we are pleased to be bringing the next echelon of trailer stability capabilities to the marketplace at a more reasonable cost. With the largest population of trailer stability systems in place today, this new system is the culmination of valuable customer feedback and the work of our industry-leading engineering teams.” Meritor WABCO introduced its first trailer stability system, RSS, in 2003. Today, there are over 4,000 of the company’s units in place with several OEMs adopting the technology as standard equipment on their trailers. Advanced Features A new cable connector system allows for more positive connections and cable stabilization to prevent damage and mitigate potential problems with connector corrosion. Standardized SAE diagnostics make troubleshooting much simpler and are now a conventional feature of the system. The diagnostics have also been integrated into the company’s TOOLBOX™ PC software. System diagnostics can also be performed using standard blink codes which eliminate the cost of additional diagnostic tools. By adding Power Line Carrier (PLC) capability to the RSSplus electronic control unit (ECU), the system can communicate between the tractor and trailer utilizing a PLC display. Additional messaging can also be accommodated via telematic devices. Examples of events that can be communicated include suspension weight, tire pressure, wheel-end temperatures or other customer-specific data. On-board data recording within the ECU allows for the retention of vehicle performance data in the ECU memory to enhance fleet management. Such “intelligent” data can be utilized to help improve operating efficiencies. “With the new system being designed exclusively for the North American market, many of the advanced features, such as standardized SAE diagnostics, incorporate requirements identified specifically by our customers,” said Bob Sibley, director, Meritor WABCO Trailer Products. “These features provide the additional support expected from a stability system, plus offer added value for the customer’s operation.” Applications Editors Notes WABCO is one of the world's leading providers of electronic braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems for heavy duty commercial vehicles. Customers include the world's leading commercial truck, trailer and bus manufacturers. Founded in the U.S. in 1869 as Westinghouse Air Brake Company, WABCO was acquired by American Standard in 1968 and spun off in 2007. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, WABCO employs more than 7,000 people in 34 offices and production facilities worldwide. In 2006, WABCO's total sales were $2 billion. WABCO is a publicly traded company and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock symbol WBC. Web site: www.wabco-auto.com. 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 light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets from more than 110 manufacturing facilities globally. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 27,000 people in 26 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at: www.arvinmeritor.com. High-resolution photos can be downloaded from ArvinMeritor's Photo Library at: www.arvinmeritor.com/media_room/photo_library.asp. 1. S = Sensor/M= Modulator Media contact: |