Jan 1, 2006 12:00 PM

ArvinMeritor Inc has formed a joint venture with First Auto Works (FAW) Sihuan Axle Brake Group of Changchun, China. The joint venture expands ArvinMeritor's capacity to produce commercial vehicle foundation air brakes, specifically air disc brakes and automatic slack adjusters.

The formation has been approved by both companies' boards and is pending standard governmental approvals.

This joint venture will establish a new manufacturing facility in the Changchun area later in 2005. At the new facility, 90,000 brakes will be made annually when it reaches nominal production levels. Components made will be for domestic markets and exports.

FAW was founded in 1953 as China First Automobile Group Corp in a heavy-industry sector of northeastern China.