TRW Launches Belt Drive Electrically Powered Steering in Europe

LIVONIA, Mich., Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in active and passive safety, has launched production of its Belt Drive Electrically Powered Steering (EPS) technology for the European market on Ford Motor Company's Focus platform including passenger cars and derivatives such as the Ford C-Max.

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The technology, which was launched in 2009 on the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ in North America, not only has the potential to increase fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, but it also enables further integration with other electronically controlled Driver Assist Systems including Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist which help to enhance safety and comfort.

Frank Lubischer, vice president of engineering, TRW steering & suspension, said: "We have worked together with Ford to further develop a bespoke EPS solution which has received very positive feedback in the North American market and we are proud to now bring this technology to Ford's customers in Europe."

As with all TRW electromechanical steering systems, the Belt Drive system only consumes noticeable power when steering assist is needed, providing considerable fuel consumption benefits of 0.3 to 0.4 L/100km, with a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 7-8g/km when compared with hydraulic power steering.

TRW's EPS Belt Drive steering technology, also referred to as 'rack drive', brings the fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide reduction benefits of an electric steering system to higher rack load vehicles when compared with TRW's current Column Drive EPS system, which has already been launched on more than 30 vehicle models.  

The system delivers a speed sensitive, positive and responsive steering feel as well as advanced functions such as pull drift compensation.  

Lubischer concluded: "As government legislation continues to focus on establishing more stringent CO2 emissions targets it is clear that the demand for these technologies is set to increase and at TRW we will continue to innovate in a bid to meet - and exceed - the needs of our customers."

About TRW

With 2009 sales of $11.6 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 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, 2009 (our "Form 10-K") and our Form 10-Q for each of the quarters ended April 2,  July 2, and October 1, 2010, such as: any shortage of supplies adversely affecting us; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; disruptions in the financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit negatively affecting our business; any further material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results, liquidity or the viability of our supply base; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting 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; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; any increase in the expense of our pension and other postretirement benefits or the funding requirements of our pension plans; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including foreign exchange risks and economic and political 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 stockholder's interests will conflict with our or our other stockholders' interests; 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.

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