Electric Parking Brake Forecasted to be on One in Five European Passenger Cars by 2015

LIVONIA, Mich., July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in active and passive safety, anticipates continued growth in its market leading Electric Parking Brake (EPB) technology.  EPB is forecasted to be standard on one in five of all European-built vehicles by 2015(1). Projections also show that approximately half of the mid to larger sized European passenger cars will have EPB in this timeframe, while the technology will continue to penetrate other regions.

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The technology, first launched by TRW in 2001, is proving popular with vehicle manufacturers in Europe: many have already fit the system on one or more models, these include: BMW's 5 Series, 6 Series Coupe, X3, and Z4; Ford Galaxy and S-Max, Volvo S60, S80, V60, V70, XC 60, and XC70; Renault Megane and Scenic; and Volkswagen Automotive Group's Audi Q5, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, VW Tiguan, Sharan, Model CC, Passat and Passat Coupe.  

Josef Pickenhahn, vice president, braking engineering commented: "At TRW we are committed to making advanced safety technology affordable for everyone - we are constantly evolving our products to make them more efficient and more accessible. The success of our EPB technology within the mass vehicle market segment marks a significant step in the right direction.

"The EPB system, utilizing electrical cables and a control switch, simplifies routing and allows for greater freedom of design for vehicle interiors.  Its smaller package becomes even more attractive as vehicle manufacturers continue to requisition vehicle space for new features and options and it can significantly reduce weight when compared to conventional park brake systems."

In addition to providing parking brake functionality, EPB is a fully integral part of the brake system with features such as dynamic actuation and brake pad wear sensing technology. It also offers enhanced quality and reliability when compared with mechanical systems. Moreover, EPB significantly enhances safety in emergency stop situations with full four-wheel anti-lock functionality versus standard park brake emergency braking, which only functions on the rear axle.

The EPB functions as a conventional hydraulic brake for standard service brake applications, and as an electric brake for parking and emergency braking.  

Pickenhahn concluded: "EPB is part of TRW's ongoing commitment to enhance overall brake system performance and driver convenience as it enhances vehicle safety."

About TRW

With 2009 sales of $11.6 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 26 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide.  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 www.trw.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 U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  All forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which can cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (our "Form 10-K") and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 2, 2010, such as: the financial condition of our customers adversely affecting us or the viability of our supply base; disruptions in the financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit negatively affecting our business; any shortage of supplies adversely affecting us; any further material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results, liquidity or the viability of our supply base; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; our dependence on our largest customers; costs of product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to adversely alter contract terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; costs or liabilities relating to environmental, health and safety regulations; limitations on available cash and access to additional capital due to our substantial debt; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; any increase in the expense of our pension and other postretirement benefits or the funding requirements of our pension plans; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including foreign exchange risks and economic and political uncertainty in some regions; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers; assertions by or against us relating to intellectual property rights; the possibility that our largest stockholder's interests will conflict with our or our other stockholders' interests; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our Form 10-K and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any update or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.

(1)  TRW's forecast based on vehicle manufacturer data

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.