TRW Highlights Safety and Fuel Efficient Technologies

DUSSELDORF, Germany, Sept. 24, 2008 - TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. will highlight its range of commercial vehicle systems and components at the IAA Truck technical showcase in Hanover, Germany, with a particular focus on how the Company is raising the intelligence of safety systems with its driver assistance (DAS) technologies for the truck market and its fuel efficient steering system for light commercial vehicles.

"IAA Truck is a great opportunity for TRW to demonstrate its capabilities supporting the truck manufacturers' desire to improve safety, comfort and fuel efficiency," commented Alexander Wiertz, sales and engineering director, Europe, TRW Automotive Commercial Steering Systems. "This year we're introducing a new rack & pinion steering system for heavy commercial vehicles as well as highlighting some recent innovations to improve safety for trucks."

TRW Automotive supports the commercial vehicle market in the areas of commercial steering, suspension, safety systems, advanced driver assist systems, steering wheels, fasteners and the aftermarket.

Fuel efficiency for LCVs

Dr. Dieter Fehlings, engineering director, steering systems for TRW Automotive, added: "We are showcasing our electrically powered hydraulic steering (EPHS) system for light commercial vehicles. TRW's testing has demonstrated that, with up to 0.3 litre fuel saving per 100 km and related CO2 savings of approx 7g/km, this technology can support fleet owners and individual drivers of the service vans that often have high weekly kilometer rates."

TRW's EPHS was launched earlier this year on the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner vans.

Dr. Fehlings added: "EPHS can be developed for the full range of minivans including full-size step vans with increasingly powerful versions of up to 1 KW of hydraulic power (1,000 watts). TRW's EPHS system provides a maximum rack assist force of 18 kN, making it suitable for loads of up to 6 tonnes in gross weight.

"TRW's EPHS systems can also feature advanced speed proportional steering technology. This flexible tuning capability allows TRW's EPHS system to adapt to different driving conditions, providing a comfortable setting for parking and city driving, while delivering a safe and robust feel at higher speeds. There is also the option for EPHS to vary assist levels depending on the vehicle loading information provided by other vehicle subsystems."

Intelligent safety

Dr. Alois Seewald, global director, systems integration for TRW Automotive, said: "TRW has developed Driver Assist Systems that sense the driving environment, analyse the situation and provide an appropriate response - whether that is driver warning, gentle support or intervention to mitigate the severity of a crash."

TRW has developed original equipment and aftermarket Adaptive Cruise Control for a number of truck manufacturers. TRW has also developed Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist systems and Forward Collision Warning systems that utilize video and mid-range radar systems at highly competitive costs.