TRW Furthers Development of Next Generation Brake Systems for Electric, Hybrid and Low Vacuum Powertrains

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hall 8, Stand F20 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in automotive safety systems, is developing its next generation of advanced, modular brake systems – the technology is vacuum independent and can simplify the brake system while enhancing functionality. The systems can allow for full brake blending for all regenerative braking system architectures.

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Josef Pickenhahn, vice president, braking engineering for TRW, explained: "TRW is building on its considerable experience in delivering both safety and regenerative braking for alternative powertrains such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. We were among the first to deliver a full electronic stability control system to seamlessly support regenerative braking when we introduced our Slip Control Boost system in 2007 for General Motors two-mode hybrid SUVs, and have since extended that solution to the award winning Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera electric vehicles.

"We are now taking the knowledge gained from our first production regenerative braking technology and working on the next evolution of electronic braking systems. Using a very fast motor similar to that employed within TRW's electrically powered steering systems, we are developing a technology that can cover the challenging braking requirements even when vacuum is not available. This fully integrated system – Future Brake System (FBS) - will use pedal simulation and a mechatronic brake boost, but will be up to 4 kilograms lighter and will eliminate some components to make it more affordable.

"Our development and testing program to date has been very well received by the customers who have experienced the results.  This is a great solution for replacing the power of the vacuum created by the traditional internal combustion engine."

Designed as a fully modular system using many standard components from the EBC460 Slip Control family, that also formed the basis for SCB, the technology meets all standard brake and control functions such as ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)  and can support enhanced autonomous brake applications with highly dynamic brake pressure builds and control accuracy for systems like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and ACC Stop and Go, Collision Mitigation and Automatic Emergency Braking.

"As the hybrid, electric and direct-injection engine vehicle markets continue to grow, and all vehicle architectures will need to support higher degrees of safety, TRW stands ready to assist our customers with flexible systems that meet the requirements across the broad range of engine variants for vehicle platforms," said Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales and business development, TRW Automotive.

"Fuel efficiency, packaging flexibility and weight reduction are key factors, while offering regenerative energy recovery with full ESC functionality capable of supporting advanced safety functions.  TRW's FBS is an exciting solution for tomorrow's vehicles."

About TRW

With 2010 sales of $14.4 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, 2010 (our "Form 10-K"), and our reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended April 1 and July 1, 2011, such as: any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our results, cash flows, financial condition or reputation; any shortage of supplies causing a production disruption due to the events in Japan or otherwise; tighter financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit negatively affecting our business; a material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results or the viability of our supply base; 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; 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; 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; any increase in the expense of our pension and other postretirement benefits or the funding requirements of our pension plans reducing our profitability; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers adversely affecting our operations; volatility in our annual effective tax rate resulting from a change in our valuation allowances position or other factors; 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.