Advanced Brake Caliper Design

TRW'S Advanced Brake Caliper Design -- Termed Thin-Wide Technology -- Reduces Weight and Extends Brake Life



LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 5 - TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in automotive safety systems, continues to broaden its product portfolio with its thin wide bridge caliper technology (TWB). TWB technology combines the dual benefits of increased fuel economy with longer brake life.
With the thin wide bridge design, the caliper bridge thickness is
reduced by 45 percent in comparison to a conventional brake caliper design,
while the width is increased by 40 percent. This 45 percent decrease in
bridge thickness allows for an increase in piston effective radius which,
when combined with larger pads and rotors, can equate to a significant
increase in brake torque output.
"Weight savings and enhanced performance were the primary objectives
that led to the re-engineering of conventional brake parts to create highly
mass-efficient structures for disc brake caliper housings," said Josef
Pickenhahn, vice president, Braking Engineering for TRW Automotive.
Pickenhahn further stated, "The housings on the thin wide design are
lighter than their predecessors, promoting better vehicle fuel economy. TWB
housings also accommodate larger diameter rotors and friction pad areas,
which tend to reduce rotor-running temperatures, brake fade and pad wear.
Combined with larger rotors, this also results in increased brake torque
output. Advances with thin wide bridge calipers broaden the array of
designs to meet specific customer needs and can result in greater customer
satisfaction for our world leading caliper products."
About TRW
With 2006 sales of $13.1 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the
world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan,
USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 28 countries and
employs approximately 63,800 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
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, 2006 (the "10-K"), and Reports on Form Q for
the quarter ended March 30, 2007, and June 30, 2007 and include: production
cuts or restructuring by our major customers; work stoppages or other labor
issues at the facilities of our customers or suppliers; non-performance by,
or insolvency of, our suppliers and customers, which may be exacerbated by
recent bankruptcies and other pressures within the automotive industry; the
inability of our suppliers to deliver products at the scheduled rate and
disruptions arising in connection therewith; interest rate risk arising
from our variable rate indebtedness; loss of market share by domestic
vehicle manufacturers; efforts by our customers to consolidate their supply
base; severe inflationary pressures impacting the market for commodities;
escalating pricing pressures from our customers; our dependence on our
largest customers; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; our substantial
leverage; product liability and warranty and recall claims and efforts by
customers to alter terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall
participation; limitations on flexibility in operating our business
contained in our debt agreements; the possibility that our owners'
interests will conflict with ours 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.