TRW Demonstrates Advanced Occupant Restraint Technologies At Airbag 2012

KARLSRUHE, Germany, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbag 2012 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) is exhibiting a range of technologies and concepts which aim to enhance the protection of occupants in the event of a collision. In addition to presenting advanced occupant restraint technology for frontal and side impact protection, the Company is using Airbag 2012 as a platform to inform its audience about opportunities to improve rear seat safety.

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Dirk Schultz, engineering director, TRW Inflatable Restraint Systems said: "Occupant protection for drivers and passengers has improved significantly in previous years – mainly as a result of regulatory changes and greater demands from New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) ratings. However, the level and sophistication of available features on front and rear seats can differ on many vehicles.

"With Euro NCAP planning to introduce a new ratings scheme in 2015 that focuses more stringently on rear seat safety for a wider range of occupant sizes, this situation is about to change. From 2015, tests will focus on older and larger children who use booster seats (Q6 and Q10 child dummies), as well as smaller and lighter adults (HIII 5% dummies).

"To maintain a five star rating, vehicle manufacturers will have to meet the more stringent standards set for rear seat occupants. As a leader in the development and manufacture of airbags and seat belts, TRW is well placed to support its customers in offering best in class rear seat safety."

At the show, TRW is exhibiting several innovative solutions including its Active Buckle Lifter (ABL) seat belt system which can help occupants to fasten their seat belts by raising the buckle, as well as helping to remove some slack in certain dynamic and critical driving situations. This technology is due to start production on rear seats in 2013 with a major European vehicle manufacturer.

The Company will also be showing its roof airbag as a rear seat concept as part of its acrylic car display. This new airbag system is also due to start production in 2014 (in a front seat configuration); TRW is exploring how this technology could enhance the protection of rear seat passengers. Furthermore, it is investigating airbag modules that can be implemented at other locations, such as in the back of the front seat.

TRW also offers a range of load limiting solutions to help manage occupant energy during a crash including its 'Dynamic Locking Tongue' (DLT) seat belt innovation which can help to reduce loads on the occupant's chest by clamping the webbing. Such systems could help to meet future NCAP requirements for rear seats.

Schultz concluded: "We have several advanced Occupant Safety System (OSS) technologies already in development and production that can support our customers in fitting the right technology - be it in front or rear seating positions - to help maintain their desired star rating."

About TRW

With 2011 sales of $16.2 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 could 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, 2011 (our "Form 10-K"), and our Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012, June 29 and October 30, 2012, such as: any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; any shortage of castings or other supplies causing a production disruption for any customers or us; general economic conditions causing a material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results or the viability of our supply base; the unsuccessful implementation of our current expansion efforts adversely impacting our business and results; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; increasing costs negatively impacting our profitability; the loss of any of our largest customers materially adversely affecting us; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic and political uncertainty in some regions, adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; any inability to protect our intellectual property rights adversely affecting our business or our competitive position; 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 adversely affecting our results; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers adversely affecting our operations; any disruption in our information technology systems adversely impacting our business and operations; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our Form 10-K and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any update or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.   

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.