TRW Automotive Expands Beijing Plant to Localize Latest Braking Technology for Chinese Market

TRW Automotive Expands Beijing Plant to Localize Latest Braking Technology for Chinese Market

LIVONIA, Mich., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE:TRW) today announced the expansion of its Chinese joint venture, LucasVarity Langzhong Braking Company Limited (LVLB), in preparation to launch TRW's Electronic Park Brake (EPB) system in China. LVLB has expanded braking actuation production into a new building, with an additional 8,000 square metres, and plans to start production of EPB systems in 2007, for two Chinese vehicle manufacturers.

Established in 1994, LVLB is TRW's joint venture with Langfang Municipal Heavy Industrials State-Owned Asset Management Company Limited. The plant currently produces front and rear calipers and braking actuation, including brake boosters and master cylinders, for a range of customers including First Auto Works/Volkswagen (FAW/VW), First Auto Works (FAW), Chery, Nissan and BMW, with 2005 sales of 720,000 units of calipers and 75,000 actuation systems.

The plant's general manager, Terry Larcombe, commented: "We are proud of the developments within the LVLB site and relish the opportunity of localizing TRW's state-of-the-art electronic park brake for the Chinese market. We have secured contracts which are expected to start production in 2007 and are in advanced discussions with a number of other customers.

"We are committed to growing the facility to offer attractive employment locally and provide world-leading braking products to Chinese and global vehicle manufacturers."

TRW's Electronic Park Brake was first to market in Europe in 2001 on the Lancia Thesis, and the Company has subsequently launched EPB systems on the Audi A6 and A8 and 2005 model year Volkswagen Passat.

The EPB system is part of TRW Automotive's ongoing commitment to enhance overall brake system performance and driver comfort and convenience. The system functions as a conventional hydraulic brake for standard service brake applications and as an electric brake for parking.

Neville Rudd, director of braking, electronics and modules, Asia Pacific, explained: "The EPB's electronic cable and control switches simplify routing and allow for greater freedom of design for vehicle interiors. Its smaller package becomes even more attractive as vehicle manufacturers continue to requisition space for new standard features and options."

The TRW Electronic Park Brake System

TRW's Electronic Park Brake system is composed of two electro-mechanical actuators integrated into the rear disc brake calipers and a controller with redundant connections to the power supply. The system interfaces with the vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN) for continuous monitoring and feedback.

The EPB system's communication interface with vehicle computer systems means that a number of design features can be added or deleted as specified for the application. In addition to drive-away assist and emergency braking (which includes anti-lock functionality when coupled with Electronic Stability Control), the system can offer a variety of options such as:

-- Manual release - only when the brake pedal is pressed
-- Interface between the EPB switch and accelerator pedal
-- Rear disc temperature model (for re-clamp in case of hot brakes)
-- Automatic parking for vehicles with continuously variable
transmissions

About TRW

With 2005 sales of $12.6 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 63,000 people in 25 countries. 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 http://www.trwauto.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. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements are set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (the "10-K") and include: the ability of TRW's joint ventures to succeed in China; efforts by our customers to consolidate their supply base; possible production cuts or restructuring by our customers; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; severe inflationary pressures impacting the market for commodities; non-performance by, or insolvency of, our suppliers and customers, which may be exacerbated by recent bankruptcies; our substantial leverage; interest rate risk arising from our variable rate indebtedness; the highly competitive automotive parts industry and its cyclicality; product liability and warranty and recall claims; our dependence on our largest customers; loss of market share by domestic vehicle manufacturers; limitations on flexibility in operating our business contained in our debt agreements; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; the possibility that our owners' interests will conflict with ours; work stoppages or other labor issues and other risks and uncertainties set forth under "Risk Factors" in the 10-K and in our other SEC filings. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.


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