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TRW Automotive Unveils Second Generation Slip Control Boost for Hybrid and Low Vacuum Braking Systems

LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), through its Kelsey-Hayes Company subsidiary, is developing its second-generation Slip Control Boost 2 (SCB 2) brake technology ideal for regenerative and low vacuum powertrain vehicles.

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Slip Control Boost 2 offers the same fully integrated TRW stability and brake actuation functions as the original system and replaces traditional boosters, master cylinders and vacuum pumps with a 25% smaller and lighter electro-hydraulic control unit (EHCU). SCB2 also uses a brake pedal simulator unit with a twin master cylinder to supply brake pressure. The twin master cylinder has been significantly reduced in length when compared to the original system.

"Slip Control Boost technology solves a number of challenges for the requirements of current and future brake systems," said Josef Pickenhahn, vice president, braking systems for TRW Automotive. "Our original Slip Control Boost is already in production on GM's Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids and works seamlessly with the two-mode regenerative system. And with the higher penetration of direct injection and diesel engines globally, Slip Control Boost 2 and its predecessor can generate high pressure in the absence of significant vacuum power for these powertrains."

"As the hybrid and direct-injection engine vehicle market continues to grow, TRW stands ready to assist our customers with flexible systems that meet the requirements across the broad range of engine variants for vehicle platforms," said Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales and business development, TRW Automotive. "Fuel efficiency, packaging flexibility and weight reduction are key factors, and in the case of the second generation Slip Control Boost, we can offer regenerative energy recovery with full Electronic Stability Control functionality in a smaller, lighter package."

TRW alternative powertrain brake solutions

TRW offers two brake system solutions for hybrid and other alternative powertrain vehicles, the Slip Control Boost system family (SCB and SCB 2) and the Electronic Stability Control Regenerative (ESC-R) system.

The SCB family of systems incorporate high performance Electronic Stability Control and brake actuation within a 12- volt system architecture. This offers several advantages: (1) ease of installation with fewer components to fit; (2) improved packaging in the front dash area versus traditional vacuum boosters; (3) a decoupled brake pedal that is ideal for integration into autonomous or emergency braking systems; and (4) best-in- class NVH characteristics.

The ESC-R is a modular, hydraulically closed system based on TRW's Standard Electronic Stability Control system with a conventional booster and master cylinder, a vacuum pump, if required, and a brake volume displacement simulator. This system configuration results in no change in pedal feel from traditional brake systems and a seamless blending of regenerative and hydraulic brake output based on driver demand.

The ESC-R system makes maximum use of standard actuation and ESC components and works within a 12 volt power system to offer both safety and fuel savings benefits and is compatible with four-wheel drive, rear wheel drive and front-wheel drive vehicles.

The systems can cover a range of vehicles from small cars to Sport Utility Vehicles.

About TRW

With 2007 sales of $14.7 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 27 countries and employs approximately 66,000 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 http://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, 2007 (our "Form 10-K") and in our Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 28, 2008, and June 27, 2008 such as: loss of market share, production cuts and capacity reductions by domestic North American vehicle manufacturers and a market shift in vehicle mix in North America and resulting restructuring initiatives, including bankruptcy actions, of our suppliers and customers; sharply increasing commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability and supply base, including any resulting inability of our suppliers to perform as we expect; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; our dependence on our largest customers; product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to 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; our substantial debt and resulting vulnerability to an economic or industry downturn and to rising interest rates; cyclicality of automotive production and sales; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic uncertainty in some regions; potential contraction in consumer spending and production cuts in Europe; 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 shareholder's interests will conflict with ours; 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 revision to any of these forward-looking statements.

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