TRW Unveils New Compact Driver Airbag Module

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LIVONIA, Mich., December 2, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE:TRW) today announced a new compact driver airbag module which is over 50 per cent smaller than conventional driver airbag modules. The new module – which is contained in a volume less than 1200 cm3 – provides vehicle manufacturers with greater flexibility for styling while offering significant weight advantages.

Alexander Heilig, global engineering director, Systems Engineering, Steering Wheel and Driver Airbags commented: “With the increased complexity in-vehicle components and electronics, it’s vital that we develop technologies for our customers that offer packaging and weight advantages. Technologies such as our new, best-in-class compact driver airbag module can help vehicle manufacturers with their fuel efficiency objectives as well as offering new and enhanced interior vehicle styling opportunities.”

The compact module will accommodate all airbag system features such as TRW’s snap-in guidance attachment system, active tether/ venting, single- or dual-stage inflators, star bag fold, inflator mass damper and horn function.

“With the new compact driver airbag module we have managed to achieve a major packaging reduction through applying our new DI-10 inflator which utilizes a more efficient propellant formulation as well as high-grade materials for the housing and weld joint technology; the application of our latest processing technologies which enhances compact folding capabilities; and using a new housing concept which helps to minimize overall product size,” added Dirk Schultz, director, Inflatable Restraint Systems.

TRW’s compact driver airbag module is already receiving significant customer interest worldwide. TRW has been developing and manufacturing airbag modules for over 30 years with several leading innovations such as its first to market compact low mounted knee airbag module and a head protection system for convertible vehicles which started production earlier this year.

About TRW

With 2008 sales of $15.0 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 approximately 64,000 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 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, 2008 (our “Form 10-K”), and our Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 3, July 3 and October 2, 2009, such as: any prolonged contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results, liquidity or the viability of our supply base; the financial condition of OEMs, particularly the Detroit Three, 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; our substantial debt and resulting vulnerability to economic or industry downturns and to rising interest rates; 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 terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and other postretirement benefits; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic 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 these forward-looking statements.

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Source: TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

CONTACT: Lynette Jackson, +44 121 506 5315, lynette.jackson@trw.com,
Louise Colledge, +44 121 627 3909, louise.colledge-contr@trw.com,
or John Wilkerson, +1-734 855 3864, john.wilkerson@trw.com, all of TRW Automotive

Web Site: http://www.trw.com