Siemens VDO Automotive Electronic Parking Brake Is a Smarter Way to Stay Stopped

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 21 -- Siemens VDO Automotive's new electronic parking brake allows original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers to break with the past at the push of a button by eliminating the conventional vehicle handbrake lever or footpedal. A vehicle's parking brake now can be engaged or released electronically with a brief push of a button located on the dashboard or multifunction steering wheel.

``Siemens VDO Automotive has improved the functionality, flexibility and ease-of-use of the traditional parking brake through intelligent electronics,'' said Director of Chassis Systems Frank Scarchilli. ``Our solution utilizes a compact electric motor to add or release brake cable tension on command or a rear-wheel mounted electric servomotor can press the brake caliper directly onto the brake disc.''

By creating an intelligent parking brake, Siemens Automotive's electronic design enables expanded safety and convenience features, such as:

Automatically activating the brake when the ignition key is removed or the trunk or hood is opened. Preventing the vehicle from rolling backwards when being started on an incline. While in stop-and-go traffic, the car only moves forward when the driver actually accelerates, eliminating tedious repeated pressing of the brake pedal. In the event of conventional brake system failure, the vehicle can be brought to a safe, ABS-style stop. In addition, shorter stopping distances can be achieved, compared to other emergency braking systems. Accident injury risk is reduced through the elimination of the handbrake lever protruding from the transmission tunnel or the parking brake pedal projecting into the foot compartment. ``The Siemens Automotive electronic parking brake also offers a savings in maintenance and service costs,'' said Scarchilli. ``The system holds the parking brake force exerted on the rear brake drum at a constant level, despite possible loss of brake cable tension, minimizing unnecessary wear.''

In addition to safety, convenience, maintenance and service benefits, the electronic parking brake opens up vehicle interior design possibilities for the OEM customer.

New space is created on the transmission tunnel and in minivans and sport utility vehicles, future seats arrangements can be more varied with the elimination of the handbrake lever.

Siemens VDO Automotive electronic park brake can be seen on the new generation of BMW 7 Series. By 2005, the company will be supplying this innovative electronic solution on approximately 10 additional vehicle applications. Currently, the market volume for electric parking brakes is expected to reach roughly four million units by 2005.

On Jan. 1, 2002, Siemens Automotive Corp. and VDO North America merged to form Siemens VDO Automotive in the United States.

Siemens VDO Automotive is one of the world's leading suppliers of electronics, electrical and mechatronic technologies to the automotive industry. As a development partner in the automotive industry, the company manufactures products for powertrain, engine control electronics and fuel injection technology which improve engine performance and reduce emissions. The company is a market leader in information and car communication systems with instrumentation, audio and navigation systems, telematics and multimedia applications, through to complete cockpits.

Siemens VDO Automotive products for chassis and carbody contribute to greater vehicle safety and security. These products include ABS and fuel tank systems and access control systems. A separate Trading/Aftermarket division markets products for retrofitting in cars and commercial vehicles. The company was created in April 2001 as a result of the merger between Siemens Automotive and Mannesmann VDO. Additional information can be found on the company's web site at www.usa.siemensvdo.com .

The company's parent organization, Siemens AG, is headquartered in Berlin and Munich and is a leading global electronics and engineering company, employing over 447,000 people in 193 countries, with worldwide sales in excess of $74 billion in fiscal 2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00). The United States is Siemens' largest market, where it employs over 73,000 and recorded sales of more than $17 billion in fiscal 2000.