TRW Automotive Brakes a Legend as the All-New 2005 Ford Mustang Debuts

LIVONIA, Mich., Sept. 29 -- Ford Motor Company's exciting 2005 Mustang will feature total brake systems from Kelsey-Hayes Company, a subsidiary of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. , the global leader in automotive safety systems.

Working closely with their Ford colleagues, TRW engineers helped to design and develop the full system including four-wheel disc brakes, actuation and an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with integrated traction control.

"This is an exciting bit of history repeating itself," said Peter J. Lake, executive vice president of Sales and Business Development for TRW Automotive. "When the Mustang was introduced in 1964, it featured a TRW disc braking system, the first of its kind on the North American market. This latest system will add greater handling and stopping capabilities in all road conditions thanks to the ABS and traction control that has been fine-tuned by Ford and TRW engineering teams."

Helping to stop the powerful new Ford Mustang models, including available engines with more than 300 horsepower, are four wheel disc brakes with calipers and rotors, an ABS and traction control system that is available on new Mustangs, and a brake actuation system with booster and master cylinder all supplied by TRW. The company will also supply ball joints for the Mustang suspension.

The all-new Mustangs will benefit from systems jointly engineered by Ford and TRW. In particular, the traction control system enhances tire adhesion and maneuverability on wet or ice-covered surfaces, while the actuation system was carefully tuned to yield brake pedal feel that is sporty and confident.