27th March 2006 - Bendix Fulfills Aftermarket Parts Needs in Far Reaches of World

Genuine Replacement Parts Distribution Added in Russia; Far East May Be Next

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC added a full line of genuine air and foundation brake replacement parts distribution in Russia to satisfy the needs of a rapidly growing population of U.S. trucks in the St. Petersburg and Moscow markets.

Company officials estimate there are 10,000-15,000 American-made trucks on the roads today in Russia with an annual growth rate of 30 to 50 percent. Russian fleets are finding that second- and third-ownership U.S. trucks, primarily Navistar® and Freightliner®, are far less complex than European trucks and more dependable than Russian vehicles.  Finding reliable and available replacement parts for these American-made trucks is a lingering challenge that Bendix hopes to rectify.

“Russian fleets have trouble finding parts, period,” said Don Orrell, global aftermarket liaison for Bendix. “Some high-runner replacement parts come from knockoffs, or “pirates” as they’re called in Russia, and others from reliable, original equipment sources, but only through a long and complex process.  “We’ve established distribution through an independent aftermarket source with several locations and service centers throughout Russia, giving fleets easy access to genuine, OE equality parts.”

The combined Bendix and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake organizations are actively seeking out overseas locations with a U.S. truck platform influence to set up similar distribution networks. It’s currently developing contacts and studying market conditions in multiple Far East countries that fit this profile.

“Expanding beyond North America is very much a natural extension of our continued commitment to telling the genuine parts story,” Orrell said. “By not using genuine replacement parts, from compressors, dryers, valves and components for anti-lock braking to wheel end parts like pads, brake chambers and slack adjusters, fleets assume huge risks, not only in performance of critical air and foundation brake components, but also in safety. Non-genuine parts can cause increased wear to other components, lead to premature part failure and increase stopping distance. In Russia, however, fleets historically have not had much of a choice. They have had to use whatever they could get their hands on. We aim to change those circumstances by offering them timely, dependable, OE-quality replacement air and all-makes foundation brake parts for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles from a source they can trust.”

About Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC

Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC combines and expands the complementary wheelend foundation brake technologies of two global leaders – Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Corporation. The joint venture, formed in July 2004, is your single complete source for OEM brake system design, manufacturing, hardware and support for all foundation brake components and actuation systems, as well as all-makes coverage of nearly 50,000 medium- and heavy-duty aftermarket parts. Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, with engineering operations in both Elyria and Kalamazoo, Mich. For more information, call 1-866-610-9709 or visit www.foundationbrakes.com

About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, air brake charging and control systems and components under the Bendix ® brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, employing more than 2,000 people, we are driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle performance, safety and overall operating cost. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, with manufacturing plants in Acuña, Mexico, Frankfort, Ky., and Huntington, Ind. For more information, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247- 2725) or visit www.bendix.com.

Source: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Press Release