TRW Automotive Helped 2003 Models Earn Five-Star Ratings

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 10 -- Stellar ... that's how TRW Automotive's performance for the 2003 model year can be described, as TRW occupant restraints helped a wide range of new vehicles earn five-star ratings in U.S. and European crash tests.

The global leader in automotive safety, TRW has provided occupant restraint systems and components to 30 of the 2003 model year vehicles that have earned five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States. In Europe, TRW occupant restraint systems and components are found on four 2003 vehicles that earned five-star ratings in the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro-NCAP). These five-star ratings were based on frontal crashes for driver and passenger positions, as well as side impact.

"TRW Automotive is clearly a leader in occupant safety systems and technology, supplying many of the world's five-star rated vehicles," said John C. Plant, president and chief executive officer for TRW Automotive. "Our ability to produce advanced safety components and systems, such as inflatable restraints, seat belts and safety electronics, gives our customers a competitive advantage in today's safety-focused marketplace and ultimately helps put safer vehicles on the road."

TRW's occupant restraint innovations are developed at state-of-the-art technology centers in Alfdorf, Germany, and Washington, Mich. (USA). A new, 18,000-square-foot crash test facility at Alfdorf represents a $10.5 million investment to accelerate TRW's advanced occupant restraint development.

TRW Automotive's seat belt systems consist of industry standard seat belt retractors, buckle assemblies, buckle and retractor pretensioners, height adjusters, integrated child restraints and seat integrated restraints.

The company's inflatable restraint systems include a variety of airbag options for injury mitigation in a vehicle side impact, such as thorax, head and combined head/thorax airbag systems and electronic impact sensors. In addition, TRW also supplies complete airbag systems with driver side, passenger side, side impact and rollover curtain applications.

Its safety electronics products include airbag crash sensors, diagnostic modules and disable systems, child seat sensors and occupant classification systems based on either weight sensors or vision systems.

TRW Automotive ranks second globally in air bag production and first in seat belt production.

About TRW

With sales of $10.6 billion in 2002, TRW Automotive Inc. ranks among the top 10 suppliers in the world. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the company employs approximately 63,000 people in 22 countries. Its products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine valves, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. TRW Automotive news is available on the Internet at www.trwauto.com .