TRW Automotive Forges New Frontier in Active Safety with Advanced Electronic Stability Control Systems
LIVONIA, Mich., Aug. 23, 2006 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. -- the global leader in automotive safety systems -- is pursuing new integration opportunities related to electronic stability control (ESC) to provide customers with smaller and lighter systems that yield greater performance and fuel efficiency.
TRW's ESC systems, which assist drivers in maintaining control in lateral maneuvers and help to better manage vehicle skidding and sliding, form the foundation for a variety of active safety technologies that help to mitigate accidents and offer additional advantages. The recent unveiling of TRW's Slip Control Boost (SCB) system demonstrates the continuing innovative spirit of the company. The system offers full stability control function for regenerative braking systems commonly used in hybrid vehicle architectures. SCB combines enhanced safety with improved fuel economy.
The system's features include: ease of installation with fewer components; improved packaging beneath the front dash area; a decoupled brake pedal; and best-in-class noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. It is designed for a range of vehicles from small passenger cars to sport utility vehicles and is expected to enter production for a major North American automaker in 2007.
Another example of TRW technology integration is Steering Torque Control (STC), which combines ESC with TRW's Electrically Powered Steering (EPS) systems to enable an enhanced level of vehicle control and assist drivers across a range of driving conditions. The integration of the braking and steering system can also deliver improved braking performance on split friction surfaces -- such as two wheels braking on pavement and two wheels braking on ice -- as well as driver support and comfort through the steering control.
Other ESC enhancements include systems such as trailer brake stabilization that help improve vehicle dynamics when towing significant loads, and dynamic rear proportioning that help to balance braking force without the need for separate proportioning valves.
"TRW Automotive continues to develop and add functionality to its electrically controlled brake systems, as these technologies play a critical role in the evolution of active safety systems," said Josef Pickenhahn, vice president, Brake Engineering for TRW Automotive. "These systems assist drivers to keep their vehicles under control and on the road during panic situations and challenging road conditions and are considered key enablers in helping drivers avoid a potential accident. Our Company is proud to have played a role in bringing these systems to the market and helping make active safety more prevalent in today's vehicles."
About TRW
With 2005 sales of $12.6 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 63,000 people in 25 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/ .
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements are set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (the "10-K"), and our Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2006, and include: work stoppages or other labor issues at the facilities of our customers or suppliers; non- performance by, or insolvency of, our suppliers and customers, which may be exacerbated by recent bankruptcies and other pressures within the automotive industry; the inability of our suppliers to deliver products at the scheduled rate and disruptions arising in connection therewith; interest rate risk arising from our variable rate indebtedness (which constitutes a majority of the company's indebtedness), especially in view of the current climate of rising interest rates; possible production cuts or restructuring by our customers; loss of market share by domestic vehicle manufacturers; efforts by our customers to consolidate their supply base; severe inflationary pressures impacting the market for commodities; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; our dependence on our largest customers; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; our substantial leverage; product liability and warranty and recall claims; limitations on flexibility in operating our business contained in our debt agreements; the possibility that our owners' interests will conflict with ours and other risks and uncertainties set forth under "Risk Factors" in the 10-K and in our other SEC filings. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
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