KARLSRUHE, Germany, Dec. 3,
2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbag 2012 -- TRW Automotive
Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) is exhibiting a range of technologies
and concepts which aim to enhance the protection of occupants in
the event of a collision. In addition to presenting advanced
occupant restraint technology for frontal and side impact
protection, the Company is using Airbag 2012 as a platform to
inform its audience about opportunities to improve rear seat
safety.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121203/DE22782 )
Dirk Schultz, engineering
director, TRW Inflatable Restraint Systems said: "Occupant
protection for drivers and passengers has improved significantly in
previous years – mainly as a result of regulatory changes and
greater demands from New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) ratings.
However, the level and sophistication of available features on
front and rear seats can differ on many vehicles.
"With Euro NCAP planning to introduce a new ratings scheme in
2015 that focuses more stringently on rear seat safety for a wider
range of occupant sizes, this situation is about to change. From
2015, tests will focus on older and larger children who use booster
seats (Q6 and Q10 child dummies), as well as smaller and lighter
adults (HIII 5% dummies).
"To maintain a five star rating, vehicle manufacturers will have
to meet the more stringent standards set for rear seat occupants.
As a leader in the development and manufacture of airbags and seat
belts, TRW is well placed to support its customers in offering best
in class rear seat safety."
At the show, TRW is exhibiting several innovative solutions
including its Active Buckle Lifter (ABL) seat belt system which can
help occupants to fasten their seat belts by raising the buckle, as
well as helping to remove some slack in certain dynamic and
critical driving situations. This technology is due to start
production on rear seats in 2013 with a major European vehicle
manufacturer.
The Company will also be showing its roof airbag as a rear seat
concept as part of its acrylic car display. This new airbag system
is also due to start production in 2014 (in a front seat
configuration); TRW is exploring how this technology could enhance
the protection of rear seat passengers. Furthermore, it is
investigating airbag modules that can be implemented at other
locations, such as in the back of the front seat.
TRW also offers a range of load limiting solutions to help
manage occupant energy during a crash including its 'Dynamic
Locking Tongue' (DLT) seat belt innovation which can help to reduce
loads on the occupant's chest by clamping the webbing. Such systems
could help to meet future NCAP requirements for rear seats.
Schultz concluded: "We have several advanced Occupant Safety
System (OSS) technologies already in development and production
that can support our customers in fitting the right
technology - be it in front or rear seating positions - to
help maintain their desired star rating."
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.