TROY, MI-ArvinMeritor Inc. is opening a new 300,000-square-foot facility in Wuxi, China, to manufacture trailer axles and suspensions for key trailer manufacturers in China, as well as for export to North America and Europe.

The plant, which cost the company approximately $35 million, will ramp up to full production in early 2007.

"As the country's infrastructure improves, tractor-trailer configurations are expected to rise exponentially, and we will be ready to support both current and future market needs with advanced technology," says Sergio Carvalho, vice president of ArvinMeritor's trailer products and suspensions business.

Currently, ArvinMeritor employs approximately 29,000 people at more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 25 countries. In addition to this newest facility, the company has four other manufacturing plants in China, with one being wholly-owned and the remaining three operating as joint venture partnerships.

The plants produce axles, brakes and related components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, off-highway and bus and coach markets.