DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Auto-parts supplier ArvinMeritor Inc. (ARM) said a federal court
jury ruled in favor of its venture with ZF Friedrichshafen AG
(ZFF.YY) in an antitrust lawsuit against Eaton Corp. (ETN).
The Delaware jury found the industrial manufacturer engaged in
anticompetitive conduct in the sale and marketing of heavy-duty
truck transmissions.
Eaton earlier said it had competed in a "fair and vigorous
manner in heavy-duty truck transmissions." A company representative
wasn't immediately available for comment.
A separate trial will be held to determine any damages.
ArvinMeritor Chairman and Chief Executive Chip McClure said
Eaton's "wrongful conduct" forced it to exit the Nafta line-haul
transmission business and led to the demise of its venture with ZF
Industries.
"Due to the exclusionary tactics employed by our competitor, we
believe our products became difficult and ultimately impossible for
our customers to choose as alternatives to Eaton's offerings," he
added.
In 2005, Eaton won a ruling from the International Trade
Commission that prohibited imports of transmissions for medium- and
heavy-duty trucks made by ZF Friedrichshafen, ArvinMeritor and
their joint venture, ZF Meritor LLC, into the U.S. because of a
patent infringement.
ArvinMeritor's shares jumped 9.8% to $8.51 in recent trading,
while Eaton's were up 1.7% to $56.81 amid a broad market rally.
-By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2357;
Kathy.Shwiff@dowjones.com