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TRW's Second Generation Active Control Retractor Seat Belt System Starts Production in Europe and Asia

Posted on: Thursday, 23 April 2009, 08:00 CDT

LIVONIA, Mich., April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive GmbH, a subsidiary of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), today announced that its second generation Active Control Retractor system (ACR2) has started production on the new Hyundai Equus. The technology offers comfort and functionality enhancements over TRW's first generation product and at a lower cost.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090423/DE04118 )

Uwe Class, manager of reversible systems for TRW's Occupant Safety Systems, said: "Like the original product, ACR2 is designed to use braking and stability control sensor information to detect a potential accident. If this happens, the system removes the seat belt slack to help better position the occupant in relation to the vehicle's airbag restraint system."

"The new system also offers additional comfort features such as slack removal after the belt is buckled."

Additionally, the ACR2 provides dynamic driving support which has been developed to help keep the driver in a more stable position in the seat during highly dynamic situations and during rapid deceleration. This features an improved version of TRW's proprietary situation management algorithm.

"The ACR2 situation management algorithm continuously processes signals from the vehicle's relevant dynamic systems such as ABS, electronic stability control or the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) radar," continued Class. "The algorithm evaluates events such as braking, sliding or vehicle angle, and if a critical situation is identified, the ACR system pretensions the seat belt, helping place the occupant in a better position for a potential crash and acting as a warning to the driver that an accident may be likely. Should the accident be avoided, the system automatically resets itself via the reversible actuator."

Compared to its predecessor, the new system is significantly reduced in both size and weight based on the addition of a brush motor (instead of a brushless motor), a redesigned clutch and a toothed belt with spur gear transmission. Such features provide improved packaging and design flexibility, and help to reduce costs for the vehicle manufacturer.

"We have worked independently and in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers to enhance the TRW ACR2 system and offer a more affordable product while improving its safety and convenience features," concluded Class.

TRW was first to market an active seat belt system when it launched on the Mercedes S Class, and ACR remains standard equipment as part of the S Class's "Pre-Safe" system. TRW has continued to work to integrate the Active Control Retractor system with other advanced comfort and safety systems including drowsy driver warning functions and interaction with radar enabled emergency brake assist technology.

About TRW

With 2008 sales of $15.0 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 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 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, 2008 (our "Form 10-K"), such as: any prolonged contraction in automotive sales and production could adversely affect our results, liquidity and the viability of our supply base; the financial condition of OEMs, particularly the Detroit Three, could adversely affect us and the viability of our supply base; disruptions in the financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit could negatively affect our business; our substantial debt and resulting vulnerability to an economic or industry downturn and to rising interest rates; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; commodity inflationary pressures; our dependence on our largest customers; costs of product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to alter terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and other post retirement benefits; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic 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 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 update or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

Source: PR Newswire

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