TRW Unveils Lightweight Torsion Rod at Hanover Truck Show

HANOVER, Germany, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), is exhibiting a new, lightweight radius rod for trucks at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover, today. Compared to previous designs, the new radius rod is up to 30 percent lighter and has also been cost optimized for vehicle manufacturers.

Dr. Cengiz Erdogan, head of engineering for Commercial Vehicle Linkage & Suspension Europe at TRW commented: "Lightweighting is becoming increasingly important as vehicle manufacturers are facing tougher fuel economy targets and emissions standards in the years to come. Technologies used in vehicle construction – as well as the materials used - are coming under close scrutiny. We are exploring alternative designs concepts as a method of reducing weight.

"This was a particular challenge with the development of the torsion rod as the potential for improving the conventional radius rod design, which has already been in production for several decades, is limited. The key for further improvements was the functional integration of cardanic elements from the rubber bushing into the connecting elements between the two housings. Therefore, we re-designed the tube component which now utilizes two inverted, C-shaped pieces of metal which are welded to the housings.

"The torsion rod also offers the benefit of being interchangeable as the connecting geometry of the current design and the new lightweight design is exactly the same – parts are interchangeable for most customer vehicles without modifications."

TRW is working on a development contract with a major European truck manufacturer and expects that the new radius rod will be ready for production near the end of 2016.

About TRW

With 2013 sales of $17.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 24 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 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (our "Form 10-K") and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2014, and June 27, 2014, such as: economic conditions adversely affecting our business, results or the viability of our supply base; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic and political uncertainty in some regions, adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; the unsuccessful implementation of our current expansion efforts adversely impacting our business or results; any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; global competition adversely affecting our sales, profitability or financial condition; any disruption in our information technology systems adversely impacting our business and operations; any shortage of supplies causing a production disruption for any customers or us; the loss of any of our largest customers or a significant amount of their business, or a significant decline in their production levels, adversely affecting us; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; our contingent liabilities and tax matters causing us to incur losses or costs; any inability to protect our intellectual property rights adversely affecting our business or our competitive position; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; costs  or adverse effects on our business, reputation or results from governmental regulations; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or those of our customers or others in our supply chain adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; 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.