---

TRW's Integrated Overhead Console Provides Key Features

25 February 1999

TRW's Integrated Overhead Console Provides Automakers, Consumers With a Bundle of Key Convenience, Security, Safety Features

    DETROIT, Feb. 24 -- Wouldn't it be nice if you could lock and
unlock your garage door, control home lighting, call for emergency assistance,
check your tire pressure, obtain directions and conduct a variety of other
tasks all from one centralized location in your vehicle?  You soon could with
TRW's new fully integrated overhead console, which will be unveiled here next
week at the 1999 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Congress
& Exposition at Cobo Center.
    Developed through a joint effort between TRW's fastening systems and
automotive electronics businesses, the modular-designed, ergonomically
friendly information center offers automakers and consumers greater
convenience, security, safety and vehicle interior functionality.  Reducing
weight, wiring complexity and overall cost, the overhead console integrates
several of TRW's key product features including:

    * TRW TireWatch(TM) system -- a new tire pressure monitoring system that
uses radio frequency sensors to measure tire pressure and temperature.  If a
loss of pressure is sensed, a receiver in the overhead console will notify the
driver through an audible tone and an easy-to-read display.  Tire information
also can be displayed on demand;

    * Universal Home Access -- which enables drivers to lock and unlock home-
entry doors, and -- from more than 150 feet -- open and close garage doors and
control home lighting;

    * Mayday -- an emergency assistance feature that utilizes an integrated
hands-free, voice-activated cellular phone and global positioning satellite
(GPS) technology.  Mayday enables users to manually call for help with the
push of a button, or in the case of air bag deployment, the system
automatically dials an emergency number and indicates the vehicle's location;

    * Vehicle Security -- ultrasonic intrusion sensors that deter vehicle
content theft and unauthorized entry, as well as tilt sensors that indicate
vehicle lift to prevent tire theft and unauthorized towing.  The anti-lift
feature triggers the vehicle alarm and, if necessary, places a call to a
service center for vehicle tracking and recovery; and

    * Other convenience functions -- radio frequency receiver used for TRW's
remote keyless entry; a display detailing trip odometry, compass information
and outside temperature; sunroof control; full-size storage compartment; and
map lights with theater dimming and battery saver time-out features.

    "The overhead console is a natural evolution for TRW's product portfolio,
combining our systems integration experience with our expertise in remote
keyless entry, home access, tire monitoring and intrusion sensing," said Heinz
Pfannschmidt, vice president and general manager, TRW Automotive Electronics.
"In addition to integrating some of our current production features into a
very useful information center, we also have established the infrastructure
for easily incorporating a variety of other features into the overhead
console."
    According to Pfannschmidt, additional convenience, security and safety
features that could be integrated into the console include occupant sensing,
navigation technology, two-way communication, a vehicle location system and
other vehicle controls.  The overhead console could be available on new
vehicles as early as the 2001 model year, based on specific automaker
requirements.
    TRW's Automotive Electronics business is a leading producer of electronic
safety, security and convenience systems for the global automotive market.
Its major product lines include air bag crash sensors, smart restraint
electronics, remote keyless entry systems, switch and control systems,
advanced theft-deterrent and security systems, driver information systems,
body controllers, tire monitoring systems and electrically assisted steering
control units.
    The company's Automotive Engineered Fasteners business produces engineered
fasteners, precision-molded plastic components, plastic assemblies and air
management systems.
    TRW Inc. is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and has sales of
nearly $12 billion.  The company is one of the largest independent automotive
suppliers in the world with more than $7 billion in worldwide automotive sales
in 1998.  TRW also provides advanced technology products and services for the
space, defense and information systems markets worldwide.