Evolution of Interior Vehicle Control Systems Embodied by TRW Integrated Electronic Control Panel

LIVONIA, Mich., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Since unveiling its Integrated Electronic Control Panel (IECP) in 2007, the TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) Body Control Systems business has continually evolved the technology that combines major interior controls, advanced vehicle network architectures and telematics into a single, convenient panel in the vehicle's center stack. This has led to a number of new customer contracts with major global vehicle manufacturers. 

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"TRW's successful design, development and launch on Ford Motor Company's global platforms such as the Ford Fiesta and the Ford Focus has led to significant growth and continued technology development for TRW," said Vic Peltola, director, sales and business development for Body Control Systems.

"TRW has also secured IECP contracts on two of the top ten selling vehicles in North America, establishing the Company as a leader in the Integrated Electronic Control Panel market."

TRW is further enhancing IECP technology with intuitive interfaces and customizable trim options including:

• Projected Graphics
• Reconfigurable Icons
• Capacitive Touch Panel and Display Screen Integration
• Touch Pad with Script Recognition
• Capacitive Touch Sensing
• Color on Demand
• Membrane Switch Technology
• Anti Finger Print and Anti Scratch Surface Technologies
• Haptic Integration

The latest designs yield many benefits to vehicle manufacturers and consumers, including enhanced cabin styling and helping to minimize driver distraction due to simplified human machine interface (HMI).

"This is exciting technology," said Peltola. "We are working closely with our customers at the ground level as a consultative strategic partner to seamlessly integrate technologies into the center panel space while minimizing driver distraction and helping to keep drivers safe."

The IECP offers highly flexible customized design including color matching to the interior, back lighting and jeweled surfaces, as well as providing superior fit and finish.  It could include external device interfaces – offering both direct and wireless (Bluetooth®[1]) interface and control of nomadic devices including cell phones, MP3 players, Radio, Broadband internet access, and navigation devices.

"Our IECP technology roadmap calls for increasing levels of sophistication including hybrid touch sensing technologies, touch screen displays, proximity sensing and even the possibility of gesture recognition and advanced vision technology to assist in controlling vehicle functions," said Raad Konja, engineering director for Body Control Systems.

Konja concluded: "IECP technology represents a quantum leap forward for the art and science of vehicle interior design and control functions."

[1] Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

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 Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 30, 2012, such as: any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; 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; any shortage of supplies causing a production disruption; 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.