TRW Automotive Unveils its Next Generation Adaptive Cruise Control AC20 Radar

BREST, France, Nov. 8, 2004 -- TRW Autocruise Limited, TRW Automotive's adaptive cruise control (ACC) subsidiary, today unveiled its next generation AC20 radar system. The enhanced radar technology will launch on a D segment platform of a major German vehicle manufacturer in spring 2005. The new radar is half the size and weight of TRW's current AC10 model at significantly reduced cost.

The TRW AC20 radar system offers several enhanced driver assistance function options such as "follow to stop," "collision mitigation" and is a support for future assisted "stop and go" systems.

The ACC is a radar based system which acts as normal cruise control holding the vehicle at a set speed until a slower vehicle appears in front -- then, it automatically accelerates and brakes the vehicle to keep a driver- selected gap (constant time interval) behind the slower vehicle. The information from the 77 GHz radar is analyzed by electronics contained in the ACC unit.

Peter Austen, managing director of TRW Autocruise, said: "We're proud to unveil our latest development. The new radar and enhanced transmit-receive module captures data for an additional 50 meters over the previous system - extending its range to 200 meters. In addition, with the cost reduction we are now able to propose, we've seen significant interest from a number of vehicle manufacturers, especially within the D-segment."

The new radar's control unit offers enhanced driver assistance features to the ACC system including follow to stop, where the system brings the vehicle to a complete standstill. Assisted stop and go, an optional feature planned to be available for future applications, will automatically stop and accelerate the vehicle in stop and go traffic. Furthermore, an additional future option -- emergency brake assist -- will, when appropriate, automatically apply the vehicle's brakes to prevent any delay of reaction from the driver confronted with an obstruction.

TRW Automotive's ACC business is based in Brest, France. The team there has developed the new radar in house in co-operation with TRW braking engineers in the UK, Germany and the US.

The Autocruise ACC system uses MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) based radar sensing technology to detect other vehicles on the road ahead. Radar technology operates in all weather conditions, unlike the laser based systems used by some competitors which rely on a clear optical path.

Austen added: "Company and industry research has demonstrated that ACC significantly aids driver comfort by reducing driving stress and fatigue. The research shows that traffic would be really regulated once ACC systems are generalized on the vehicles."

TRW Automotive currently provides ACC systems to Volkswagen for its Phaeton range, a number of truck manufacturers and is actively collaborating with a number of companies for future platforms.

About TRW

With 2003 sales of $11.3 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's top 10 automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 61,000 people in 22 countries. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. All references to "TRW Automotive," "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the Internet at http://www.trwauto.com/ .