TRW Unveils Next Generation Head Protection System for Convertibles

Published on Wednesday, 18 August 2010 10:13 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

ALFDORF, Germany, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in active and passive safety, today unveiled its second generation Head Protection System for Convertibles (HPSC II) -- demonstrating the Company's commitment to constant innovation and affordable safety.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100818/DE52098 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100818/DE52098 )

TRW's HPSC II technology is fully integrated in the backrest bolster eliminating the need for an integrated head rest and thereby increasing its compatibility with a broader range of convertible vehicles -- at a lower cost. And with 18 convertible model launches in Europe in 2010 alone, consumer demand for this type of car is growing.

As with the first generation, HPSC II works together with the torso protection system and both can be tuned individually.

Dirk Schultz, global engineering director, Inflatable Restraint Systems, commented: "HPSC II is compact and comprises light weight component parts resulting in a lower mass module overall. Like the first generation HPSC, the second generation HPSC also takes into account different load cases and passenger sizes. This adaptability improves the airbags' position in relation to the occupant in the event of a side crash situation."

HPSC II operates via a small, lightweight pyrotechnic gas inflator with a diameter of only 20mm. Based on this SPI-EVO gas inflator technology, the system will ensure a high level of restraint efficiency at an affordable price for future vehicles.

Schultz concluded: "Safety is an increasingly important factor in the decision making process of the consumer and the industry needs to continuously improve the protection of occupants of such vehicles, with affordable solutions."

The Company's first generation HPSC is currently in production with a major European vehicle manufacturer and the second generation of this innovative airbag module concept will be ready for vehicle launches in 2013.

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, and July 2, 2010, such as: the financial condition of our customers adversely affecting us or the viability of our supply base; disruptions in the financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit negatively affecting our business; any shortage of supplies adversely affecting us; any further material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results, liquidity or the viability of our supply base; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; our dependence on our largest customers; 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; limitations on available cash and access to additional capital due to our substantial debt; 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.