1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 23, 2001 ARVINMERITOR, INC. ------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) INDIANA 1-15983 38-3354643 --------------------------- ---------------- ------------ (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File No.) Identification No.) 2135 West Maple Road TROY, MICHIGAN -------------- (Address of principal executive offices) 48084-7186 ---------- (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (248) 435-1000 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS. As discussed under the heading "Chief Financial Officer's Review - Management's Discussion and Analysis - Financial Condition - Other Information" in the registrant's 2000 Annual Report to Shareowners, incorporated by reference in Item 7 of the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000, Standard & Poor's has assigned credit ratings to the registrant's debt. On March 23, 2001, Standard & Poor's changed the rating of the registrant's long-term debt from BBB to BBB- and the rating of the registrant's commercial paper from A2 to A3. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. ARVINMERITOR, INC. By: /S/ VERNON G. BAKER, II ------------------------ Vernon G. Baker, II Senior Vice President General Counsel & Secretary Date: April 5, 2001