AxleTech’s New XTL Wheel-End Technology Dramatically Reduces Tire Operating Costs in Heavy-Duty Material Handling Trucks

TROY, Mich. – AxleTech International, a General Dynamics company (NYSE: GD), has introduced a new axle for heavy-duty empty container handlers. The axle incorporates wheel-end technology that can reduce tire wear by as much as 60 percent. The patented XTL® (Extended Tire Life) technology allows independent rotation of wheels during a turn, thereby minimizing tire scrub, which is the main cause of tire wear.

The new XTL technology can extend drive-axle tire life up to three times and steer-axle life by one-and-a-half times, as well as eliminating the need for tire rotation. An interactive potential-savings calculator, videos demonstrating the advantages that XTL technology delivers to heavy-duty material handling trucks and images are available at www.axletech.com/xtl

Mary Petrovich, general manager of AxleTech International, said, “We have successfully completed extensive lab and field testing on this new product at locations across Europe and North America. The benefits contribute to reduced vehicle downtime and major improvements in transport efficiency.”

The XTL is available immediately for both new production and field-operated container handling units of all heavy-duty truck models. The technology will be highlighted in booth A4.2239 at the BAUMA 2010 trade show in Munich, Germany, later this month.

AxleTech International is a global manufacturer and supplier of axles, axle components, planetary axles, brakes and aftermarket parts for commercial specialty trucks, military vehicles and off-highway machines used in the construction, material handling, forestry, mining and agricultural markets.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,700 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

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