---

TRW Wins Suspension System Contract From Ford

5 May 2000

TRW Wins Suspension System Contract From Ford

    LIVONIA, Mich.--May 4, 2000--TRW has been awarded a contract from Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich., to design and manufacture suspension control arms and stabilizer bar links for the next generation Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. The contract value is not disclosed.
    TRW will supply these components from its plants in St. Catharines and Tillsonburg, Ontario, and Sterling Heights, Mich. The new Expeditions and Navigators are expected to launch in late July of 2001 and are assembled at Ford's Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Mich.
    "This contract marks the first time TRW has the full systems responsibility to manage all aspects of the program, including suppliers, " said Bryan Stewart, customer development director, steering and suspension, TRW. "We are a systems supplier with the capability to deliver the full array of weight optimized products that our customers are demanding. We will deliver on this promise."
    TRW will be producing control arms for the suspension system made from aluminum castings. According to Stewart, customers are moving to lighter weight components including high strength low alloy steels and cast and forged aluminum to meet fuel efficiency goals. "We have the capability to offer all of these options," said Stewart.