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TRW Introduces New Active Head Restraint System

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 January 2009, 09:52 CST

LIVONIA, Mich., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., a subsidiary of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), has introduced a new Active Head Restraint (AHR) system utilizing a mechanical concept that is lighter, less complicated, and uses fewer components than competing systems on the market.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090114/CLW048 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010824/TRWLOGO )

The TRW active head restraint offers a high degree of choice for vehicle manufacturers as it is independent of seat geometry and can be integrated into any headrest height adjuster with minimal impact to the seat. The design is adaptable to different seating supplier designs and works independently of occupant size and seating position. In addition the TRW design is reversible and easily resettable by consumers at no cost, as opposed to other designs that require a dealership visit for service or replacement.

"Our new active head restraint system has several advantages over typical systems now in vehicles," according to Charlie Steffens, Director of Safety Systems Technology for TRW Occupant Safety Systems. "The AHR system is designed to help slow the velocity of the head as it moves backward in a crash scenario. This can help to reduce the chances of whiplash forces acting on the occupant. Combining the TRW AHR with crash sensing systems, one can achieve excellent delta-V and threshold discrimination in a variety of rear impact events. TRW testing has shown excellent results in FMVSS, IIHS, and EuroNCAP test configurations. And the AHR allows for a larger initial backset distance between the occupant's head and the backrest for occupant comfort.

"The TRW AHR contains fewer parts and in conjunction with our electronic control module comprises a system with less mass (up to 9 pounds less) than competitive seat integrated passive head restraint systems," Steffens continued. "TRW has used its considerable knowledge in the design and development of safety devices and its knowledge of biomechanics to produce what we feel is an elegant solution for active head restraint."

About TRW

With 2007 sales of $14.7 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 27 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 http://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 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, 2007 (our "Form 10-K") and in our Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 28, 2008, June 27 and September 26, 2008, such as: disruptions in the financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit could negatively affect our business; production cuts and capacity reductions by domestic North American vehicle manufacturers and resulting restructuring initiatives, including bankruptcy actions, of our suppliers and customers; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability and supply base, including any resulting inability of our suppliers to perform as we expect; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; our dependence on our largest customers; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; our substantial debt and resulting vulnerability to an economic or industry downturn and to rising interest rates; cyclicality of automotive production and sales; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic uncertainty in some regions; contraction in consumer spending, a market shift in vehicle mix and production cuts in Europe; any impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets; product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to alter terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; assertions by or against us relating to intellectual property rights; the possibility that our largest shareholder's interests will conflict with ours; 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 revision to any of these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

Source: PR Newswire

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