Mini Coopers to Heavy-Duty Pickups - Feature Electronic Stability Control from TRW Automotive
LIVONIA, Mich., July 10 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. - the global leader in active and passive safety systems - has announced that it is supplying its Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system to several new vehicles, including the MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops, the Saab 9-3, and various General Motors heavy-duty pickup trucks.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010824/TRWLOGO )
TRW's ESC can help to add value, protection and safety to the full spectrum of passenger vehicle types. In fact, with the new vehicles being added this year, TRW will be supplying ESC technology to more than 40 different models produced by more than a dozen automakers around the world - ranging from small compact cars to large pickup trucks and 15-passenger vans.
"By offering a wide range of systems and feature functions, TRW's ESC can fit virtually every light vehicle need," said Josef Pickenhahn, vice president, brake engineering for TRW Automotive. "With standard, high performance and premium systems available, TRW can provide vehicle manufacturers with the desired level of cost and technology to fit the specific character and needs of their vehicles. As we continue to develop and add functionality to TRW ESC systems, this technology plays a crucial role in the evolution of next-generation active safety systems."
An active safety system, ESC assists drivers in maintaining the lateral stability of the vehicle during difficult driving situations such as oversteer and understeer. By monitoring vehicle velocity information and driver inputs, ESC can proactively apply brake pressure to the appropriate wheels and, if necessary, cut engine throttle, to reduce the possibility of a loss of driver control.
TRW's ESC technology allows for a range of active and passive safety integration opportunities, including integration with:
-- Adaptive Cruise Control to enable pre-crash and emergency braking
functions, using short- or long-range radar sensors or video sensors
for Electronically Controlled Deceleration or full brake pressure for
Emergency Brake Assist;
-- Electrically Powered Steering to provide Steering Torque Control
function, which helps steer drivers in the correct direction to avoid
skidding and sliding and can reduce braking distances on split mu
surfaces; and
-- Regenerative braking through TRW's Slip Control Boost system for hybrid
vehicles.
Other TRW ESC enhancements include systems such as trailer brake stabilization that helps improve vehicle dynamics when towing significant loads, and dynamic rear proportioning that helps to balance braking without the need for separate proportioning valves.
About TRW
With 2006 sales of $13.1 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 63,800 people in 26 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, 2006 (the "10-K"), and Report on Form Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2007, and include: production cuts or restructuring by our major customers; 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); 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 and efforts by customers to alter terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; 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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