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


LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 4 - 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.

TRW Automotive news is available on the Internet at http://www.trwauto.com/.

Source: TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

CONTACT: Louise Colledge
TRW Automotive
Europe-Asia
+44-121-506-5000

Manley Ford
TRW Automotive
+1-734-855-2616

John Wilkerson
TRW Automotive
North America
+1-734-855-3864

Web site: http://www.trwauto.com/

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