TRW Starts Production Of 24 GHz Radar On Citroen C4 Picasso

LIVONIA, Mich., July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) has started production of its 'AC100' 24 GHz forward-looking radar on the new PSA Platform 'EMP2'. The first vehicle is the Citroen C4 Picasso which has recently launched this summer, and will be followed at the end of 2013 by the new Peugeot 308.

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The AC100 radar on this platform enables several safety and driver comfort functions including distance and collision warning and integration with braking systems to provide follow-to-stop adaptive cruise control (ACC). The technology can also enable further features such as activation of reversible restraint systems, pre-crash pre-fill of brakes, adaptive brake assist and automatic emergency braking (AEB).

Peter Austen, director of TRW's Driver Assistance Systems (DAS) business remarked: "The launch of our AC100 on the PSA EMP2 platform represents an important milestone on our DAS roadmap – with this particular module launching in C and D segments. This is a great example of how TRW is making safety systems affordable for everyone.

"The fitment growth of such technologies will be exponential in coming years as governments worldwide strive to significantly reduce road fatalities. New legislation, changes to New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) ratings schemes and insurance incentives are coming into effect and the industry needs to be ready with the right solutions. Our AC100 and next generation radar have been specifically developed to help enhance road safety and address these market trends."

The AC100 system offers much of the functionality of TRW's previous generation 77GHz AC20 radar, but at a significantly lower cost - achieved primarily through lower frequency operation and optimized performance for mainstream vehicles.  It can detect vehicles up to a range of approximately 150m and is suitable for a full range of driving conditions including high speed motorway driving. Furthermore, radar technology can operate in poor weather conditions including fog and heavy rain, unlike laser based systems that rely on a clear optical path.

"Following this new launch, we continue to work with additional vehicle manufacturers to bring this affordable technology to market. TRW has a long-standing history in the radar market with more than ten years of production experience, and we are confident that our systems represent affordable solutions to support customers to deliver the range of driver assist functionalities that consumers want, while addressing future legislative requirements," concluded Austen.

About TRW

With 2012 sales of $16.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 25 countries and employs approximately 65,000 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (our "Form 10-K") and our Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2013, such as: any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; economic conditions adversely affecting our business, results or the viability of our supply base; the unsuccessful implementation of our current expansion efforts adversely impacting our business or results; any shortage of supplies causing a production disruption for any customers or us; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting 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; the loss of any of our largest customers materially adversely affecting us; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; 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 adverse effects on our business, reputation or results from governmental regulations; 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 those in our supply chain adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; 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.