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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

Commission File No. 1-15983

ArvinMeritor, Inc. Savings Plan

(Full title of the plan)

ArvinMeritor, Inc.

2135 West Maple Road
Troy, Michigan 48084

(Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its
principal executive office)

 


Table of Contents

     
  1
Financial Statements:
   
  2
  3
  4-7
Supplemental Schedules as of and for the Year ended December 31, 2003:
   
  8
  9
  10
Exhibit:
   
 Consent of Independent Registered Public Acct Firm

 


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To ArvinMeritor, Inc. Savings Plan and to Participants therein:

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of ArvinMeritor, Inc. Savings (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2003. These financials statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as established by the Auditing Standards Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the change in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements takes as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedules, “Form 5500, Part IV, Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) and Line 4j – Schedule of Reportable Transactions”, as of December 31, 2003 are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements, but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Such supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Detroit, Mi
June 25, 2004

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ARVINMERITOR, INC. SAVINGS PLAN

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002

                 
    2003
  2002
ASSETS
               
Investments
  $ 254,757,323     $ 187,801,052  
Due from other plan
    2,538,053        
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
    257,295,376       187,801,052  
LIABILITIES - Accrued expenses
    36,188       35,140  
 
   
 
     
 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
  $ 257,259,188     $ 187,765,912  
 
   
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

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ARVINMERITOR, INC. SAVINGS PLAN

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

         
    Year Ended
    December 31, 2003
ADDITIONS :
       
Employee contributions
  $ 19,780,959  
Employer contributions
    9,919,447  
 
   
 
 
 
    29,700,406  
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
    50,426,536  
Dividends and interest
    4,613,566  
Net transfers
    2,101,578  
 
   
 
 
Total additions
    86,842,086  
DEDUCTIONS:
       
Benefits paid to participants
    (17,158,448 )
Administrative expenses
    (190,362 )
 
   
 
 
Total deductions
    (17,348,810 )
Net increase in net assets available for benefits
    69,493,276  
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS,
beginning of year
    187,765,912  
 
   
 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS,
end of year
  $ 257,259,188  
 
   
 
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

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ARVINMERITOR, INC. SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

     The following general description of the amended and restated ArvinMeritor, Inc. Savings Plan (the “Plan”), in effect at December 31, 2003, is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan document for more complete information.

     General – The Plan was established October 1, 1997. The Plan is a defined contribution savings plan covering all eligible employees of ArvinMeritor, Inc. and certain affiliated companies (the “Company”). Eligible employees may participate in the Plan immediately on the date on which they become an employee. The Plan is administered by the Company’s Employee Benefit Plan Committee and the Plan Administrator. The Trustee for the Plan assets is T. Rowe Price Trust Company. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

     Effective October 1, 2002, the employer matching account held under the Plan was converted into an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). As a result, when participants accounts receive cash dividends on ArvinMeritor stock they have the option of reinvesting the dividend in ArvinMeritor stock or receiving the dividend as a cash distribution. In addition, the conversion to an ESOP allows participants who have attained either age 55 with 10 years of vesting service or age 60, the right to transfer funds out of company stock and into one of the other investment options under the Plan.

     Effective January 1, 2002 the plan was amended to allow participants who are over age 50 by the end of the plan year to make additional pre-tax contributions up to the limits prescribed under recent changes to the Internal Revenue Code.

     On December 31, 2003, the Zeuna Staerker USA, Inc. Profit Sharing 401(K) Plan was merged into the Plan. This has been reflected as a receivable due from other plans on the statement of net assets available for benefits at December 31, 2003, and included in the net transfers on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.

     Contributions – Eligible employees may elect to contribute up to 20% of their base compensation, by electing to defer receipt of compensation (pre-tax contribution) or authorizing deductions from compensation (after-tax contribution). Participants can elect to have their contributions invested in 5% increments in various investment funds.

     The participants are immediately eligible for matching contributions. The Company matches 100% of the participant’s contribution up to the first 3% of eligible compensation and 50% of the participant’s contribution on the next 3% of eligible compensation. Company contributions may be in the form of ArvinMeritor common stock or cash invested in ArvinMeritor common stock. The Company match for employees in a joint venture is payable in cash.

     Vesting – Amounts attributable to participant contributions and Company contributions are fully vested at all times.

     Plan Withdrawals – Amounts contributed may be withdrawn by, or distributed to, a participant only upon (1) termination of employment or (2) attaining the age of 59 ½. Withdrawals prior to attaining age 59 ½ are not permitted except in the event of retirement, disability or as a hardship distribution. Certain income tax penalties may apply to withdrawals or distributions prior to age 59 ½.

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     Payment of Benefits – On termination of service due to death, disability or retirement, a participant generally receives an amount equal to the value of the participant’s vested interest in their account in a lump-sum amount. For termination of service due to other reasons, a participant may receive the value of the vested interest in their account as a lump-sum distribution.

     Loans to Participants – Participants may borrow from the Plan an amount not less than $1,000 and not greater than the lesser of (i) $50,000 less the amount of loans outstanding during the preceding 12-month period, (ii) amounts in the participant’s account attributable to participant contributions, or (iii) one-half of the participant’s vested account balance.

     Interest is charged at 1% over the prime rate, which is defined as the base rate on corporate loans posted by at least 75% of the 30 largest U.S. banks. The loans are repaid through payroll deductions over periods generally not to exceed 60 months. Payments of principal and interest are reinvested under the participant’s current investment election for new contributions.

     Participant Accounts – Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and an allocation of the Company’s contribution and Plan earnings and charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on a participant’s earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

     Plan Termination – Although the Company has not expressed any intent to terminate the Plan, it reserves the right to do so at any time.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Basis of Accounting – The financial statements of the Plan are prepared under the accrual method of accounting.

     Investment Valuation Investments, other than benefit-responsive investment contracts, are stated at fair value as measured by readily available market prices. The T. Rowe Price Stable Value Common Trust Fund is comprised of individual investment contracts, including synthetic investment contracts and are stated at contract value. The investment contracts are nontransferable, but provide for benefit-responsive withdrawals by plan participants at contract value. Benefit-responsive withdrawals are provided for on a proportional basis by the issuers of the investment contracts. The trustee’s valuation committee primarily considers factors such as the benefit responsiveness of the investment contract and the ability of the parties to the investment contract to perform in accordance with the terms of the contract. Generally, contract value approximates fair value (contributions made plus interest accrued at the contract rate, less withdrawals and fees). If, however an event has occurred that may impair the ability of the contract issuer to perform in accordance with the contract term, fair value may be less than the contract terms.

     Security Transactions and Investment Income – Purchases and sales of securities are reported on a trade date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.

     Plan Expenses – Administrative expenses of the Plan are paid by the Plan or the Company, as provided by the Plan document.

     Benefit Payments – Benefits are recorded when paid.

     Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The

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Plan utilizes various investments, which are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, foreign currency, credit and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

3. INVESTMENTS

     The following presents investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets.

                 
    December 31,   December 31,
    2003
  2002
Mutual Funds:
               
T. Rowe Price Growth and Income Fund
  $ 21,774,797     $ 15,271,653  
T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund
    14,120,401       10,907,184  
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund
    14,477,263        
Common Stock:
               
ArvinMeritor *
    72,460,166       44,680,663  
ArvinMeritor
    18,125,002       11,863,364  
T. Rowe Price Stable Value Common Trust Fund - at contract value
    45,485,721       45,101,485  
T. Rowe Price Equity Index Trust Fund
    34,257,649       26,204,480  

* Nonparticipant - directed

    During 2003, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the period) appreciated in value as follows:
         
    Year Ended
    December 31, 2003
Common Stock
  $ 28,044,840  
Mutual Funds
    22,381,696  
 
   
 
 
Net appreciation
  $ 50,426,536  
 
   
 
 

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4. NONPARTICIPANT-DIRECTED INVESTMENTS

     Information about the net assets and the significant components of the changes in net assets relating to the nonparticipant-directed investments is as follows:

         
    2003
Net assets - ArvinMeritor Common Stock Fund - December 31, 2002
  $ 44,680,663  
Changes in net assets:
       
Employer contributions
    9,743,209  
Net appreciation
    22,203,243  
Dividends
    1,126,674  
Benefits paid to participants or beneficiaries
    (3,621,286 )
Other - exchanges out and fees
    (1,672,337 )
 
   
 
 
Net increase in net assets
    27,779,503  
Net assets - ArvinMeritor Common Stock Fund - December 31, 2003
  $ 72,460,166  
 
   
 
 

5. TAX STATUS

     The Internal Revenue Service determined and informed the Company by a letter dated September 25, 2003, that the Plan was designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, however, the Company and the Plan administrator believe that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable sections of the Code and as a result, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s Financial Statements.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     Plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by T. Rowe Price. T. Rowe Price is the trustee as defined by the Plan and, therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

     Effective January 1, 2004, the Company added five new retirement fund options to the Plan. The new retirement fund options include the following funds: T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund, T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund, T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund, T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund and T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund. These new options are a fund of funds which allocate assets in accordance with a targeted retirement horizon for the employee.

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ARVINMERITOR, INC. SAVINGS PLAN

SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT YEAR END)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003

             
    Description of Investment    
Identity of Issuer,   Including Maturity Date,    
Borrower, Lessor   Rate of Interest, Collateral,   Current
or Similar Party   Par or Maturity Value   Value
* T. Rowe Price
  International Stock Fund   $ 3,961,411  
* T. Rowe Price
  Equity Index Trust Fund     34,257,649  
* T. Rowe Price
  Growth and Income Fund     21,774,797  
* T. Rowe Price
  Mid-Cap Growth Fund     14,477,263  
Franklin
  Small-Cap Stock Fund     11,099,384  
* T. Rowe Price
  Balanced Fund     14,120,401  
* T. Rowe Price
  Stable Value Common Trust Fund     45,485,721  
Janus Fund
  Large-Cap Growth Fund     4,930,685  
Pimco
  US Treasury Intermediate Fund     6,623,686  
 
  Cash     126,610  
* ArvinMeritor
  ArvinMeritor Common Stock     90,585,168  
* Participant loans
  Rates recorded at 1% over prime        
 
  rate, and maturities up to        
 
  120 months     7,314,548  
 
       
 
 
 
      $ 254,757,323  
 
       
 
 

* Party-in-interest.

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ARVINMERITOR, INC. SAVINGS PLAN

SCHEDULE H, LINE 4j - SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

Series of transactions, when aggregated, involving an amount in excess of 5% of beginning plan net assets.

                                             
                                (h)    
(a)                               Current Value    
Identity       (c)   (d)   (g)   of Asset on   (l)
of Party   (b)   Purchase   Selling   Cost of   Transaction   Net Gain/
Involved   Description of Asset   Price   Price   Asset   Date   (Loss)
T. Rowe Price
  ArvinMeritor Common Stock   $ 9,885,724     $     $ 9,885,724     $ 9,885,724     $  
 
  (53 purchases)                                        
T. Rowe Price
  ArvinMeritor Common Stock   $     $ 4,147,574     $ 4,484,796     $ 4,147,574     $ (337,222 )
 
  (173 sales)                                        
T. Rowe Price
  Stable Value Common Trust Fund   $ 7,395,812     $     $ 7,395,812     $ 7,395,812     $  
 
  (105 purchases)                                        
T. Rowe Price
  Stable Value Common Trust Fund   $     $ 7,033,899     $ 7,033,899     $ 7,033,899     $  
 
  (147 sales)                                        

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SIGNATURES

     The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan Administrator has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    ARVINMERITOR, INC. SAVINGS PLAN
 
       
  By:   /s/ Richard D. Greb
     
 
      Richard D. Greb, Plan Administrator

June 25, 2004

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Exhibit Index

     
EX NO.
  DESCRIPTION
23
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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