TRW launches new range of lightweight airbag inflators

LIVONIA, Mich., Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW)  recently unveiled its latest inflator technology at the Airbag 2012 exhibition in Europe. The new DI10.1G45 inflator, which is a further improvement of the DI10 family, is TRW's lightest and smallest inflator to date. It has been specially developed for 'micro' airbag modules and is due to start production early 2014 at its facility in Aschau, Germany, in support of a major European business award.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121210/DE26690 )

Dr. Achim Hofmann, senior manager core engineering, Inflators, said: "As the industry continues to place increasing focus on the environment, the importance of reducing vehicle weight is paramount. The DI10.1G45 product offers a weight reduction of approximately 25 percent over previous generation technology, as well as overall smaller dimensions.

"With its smaller size, the inflator is suitable for driver airbags which need to be packaged into smaller and more compact driver airbag modules within the steering wheel."

TRW's DI10.1G45 airbag inflator is a non azide, single pyro inflator which utilizes an efficient propellant formulation. The inflator output can be adapted according to restraint system requirements using individual performance steps and an adjustable gas mass onset. Although it uses standard grade materials for the housing and weld joint technology, package size has been further reduced.

Hofmann added: "As a leader in the airbag field, TRW has been able to help satisfy stringent customer and industry regulatory requirements while halving the weight of its airbag modules in recent years – now among the lightest on the market – in addition to minimizing product size and packaging. The integration of the inflator into the cushion, combined with new inflation technologies; bag & housing concepts; and materials, have enabled us to achieve this significant weight reduction over the previous few years."

TRW has been developing and manufacturing airbag modules for over 30 years with several leading innovations such as its roof airbag system; adaptive frontal airbag technology; first to market compact low mounted knee airbag module; and a head protection system for convertible vehicles.

Hofmann concluded: "With a wealth of experience and success within our Occupant Safety Systems business, TRW is well positioned to further develop and enhance its airbag technologies."

Ends

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 Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012, June 29 and October 30, 2012, such as: any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; any shortage of castings or other supplies causing a production disruption for any customers or us; 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; 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.

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