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Auto Executives Rank TRW Tops for Chassis/Suspension Systems

13 August 1998

Auto Executives Rank TRW Tops for Chassis/Suspension Systems In Automotive Industries Quest for Excellence Survey

    STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Aug. 12 -- In what Automotive
Industries magazine called the "Oscar" award of the automotive supplier
industry, TRW took top honors in the chassis/suspension systems category,
according to results recently published in Automotive Industries' July issue.
TRW was also selected among the "best of the best" in the
electrical/electronic systems category and in the systems integration
category.
    According to the magazine, which polled more than 1,800 readers for the
first annual Quest for Excellence awards, TRW was rated the No. 1 choice as a
chassis/suspension system supplier.  In this product category, TRW received
its customers' top ratings in quality, price and service, as well as strong
scores in delivery and innovation.
    "It's an honor to be rated the 'best of the best' ... and it's encouraging
to have customers recognize TRW's ongoing quest for excellence," said Frank P.
Boccabella, vice president and general manager, TRW Linkage & Suspension
Systems.  "Moreover, it's a real tribute to our TRW associates around the
world, who are working to help our customers enhance quality, improve
performance and reduce cost with value-added chassis/suspension modules."
    In addition, TRW was honored for being among the top electrical/electronic
suppliers, receiving high marks as a systems supplier.
    "Companies that have received the Quest for Excellence award should be
very proud of their achievement," said Marjorie Sorge, editor-in-chief of
Automotive Industries magazine.  "It is a real coup to be considered one of
the best of the best by your customers.  There is no greater honor than to
receive an 'Oscar' from your customers."
    A full-service supplier with total suspension systems engineering
capability, TRW's Linkage & Suspension Systems business is a leading producer
of steering linkages, control arms, stabilizer links, radius rods and
suspension ball joints.  TRW annually produces more than 40 million ball
joints and is the leading supplier of fiber-reinforced plastic stabilizer
links (producing more than 3 million a year).  The company, which offers a
variety of innovative processing technologies, also is one of the largest
suppliers of vacuum die-cast and thixoformed suspension components.
    Providing steering systems for one in four cars worldwide, TRW is the
world's leading supplier of automotive power rack and pinion steering and
suspension systems.  The company's Passenger Car Steering Systems business
annually produces more than 10 million power rack and pinion steering gears
worldwide and about 400,000 integral power steering systems for commercial
vehicles.
    TRW is a leading producer of electronic safety, security and convenience
systems for the worldwide automotive market.  Its major electronic product
lines include air bag crash sensors, occupant sensing systems, switch and
control systems, advanced theft-deterrent and security systems, driver
information systems, body controllers, tire monitoring systems and
electrically assisted steering control units.
    One of the largest independent automotive components suppliers in the
world with $7 billion in worldwide automotive sales, TRW's automotive product
portfolio also includes occupant restraint systems, engine components and
fastening systems.
    With headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, and sales of nearly $12 billion
(including the recent BDM acquisition), TRW provides
advanced-technology products and services for the automotive, space, defense,
and information technology markets.  TRW news releases are available on the
Internet through TRW's corporate Web site (http://www.trw.com).