TRW First to Produce Electric Steering in South America; Offers Economic and Environmental Advantages
SAO PAULO –Â TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in active and passive safety, is the only major steering manufacturer to produce its advanced electric steering systems locally in Brazil, delivering cost advantages and emissions & fuel economy improvements for its South American customers.
"With the launch of electric steering for Ford's Ecosport and Fiesta models, TRW is bringing clear cost and environmental benefits to automakers in South America," said Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales and business development. "All other major steering manufacturers are importing electric steering systems, and local supply of these systems brings distinct cost advantages."
Meeting increasingly stringent requirements for greenhouse gas emissions reduction - increasingly enforced by South American governments - is another big advantage of electric steering.
TRW offers two electrically powered steering (EPS) solutions to cover the full vehicle platform range, which consume power to any significant degree only when steering assist is needed. The first is the column drive unit which is mounted on the steering column inside the passenger compartment and the second is belt drive where the assist is applied directly to the rack with a belt and ball nut mechanism. Significant fuel economy and CO2 emissions benefits can be realized with both systems when compared with traditional hydraulic power steering. The technology can deliver a fuel saving of 0.3 to 0.4 L/100km, with a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 7-8g/km (based on test data for a 1.6 litre gas engine).
Moises Bucci, president of South America, TRW Automotive, said: "The launch of electric steering in South America continues our efforts to bring all of TRW's highly sophisticated product offerings to Brazil and the wider South America region. As part of locating EPS here, we continue to build an efficient and well-developed supply base to deliver cost improvements - essential to competitiveness and customer service."
About TRW
With 2012 sales of $16.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 25 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.
SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
CONTACT: Louise Colledge, TRW Automotive, (44)
121.506.5317, louise.colledge-contr@trw.com;
or John Wilkerson, TRW Automotive, (734) 855-3864,
john.wilkerson@trw.com
Web Site: http://www.trwauto.com
