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10th January 2005 - TRW Automotive Provides Total Brake and Occupant Safety Systems for New Ford F-Super Duty Truck Lineup Providing substantial stopping power for Ford Motor Co.'s 2005 model year F-Super Duty trucks and helping to keep drivers and passengers safer inside is the job of two subsidiaries of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. TRW's Kelsey-Hayes Co. subsidiary is providing the total brake system, while the TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. subsidiary supplies the occupant safety system for the full-sized truck models. To develop the world-class braking system -- which includes four-wheel disc brakes, rear hub assembly with drum-in-hat park brake, actuation and an advanced anti-lock brake system (ABS) -- TRW worked closely with Ford engineers, co-located some of its team to the automaker's headquarters and dedicated itself to developing a first-rate system that would exceed Ford's expectations. The TRW brakes deliver increased stopping power, more torque and enhanced pedal feel resulting from a system that has 5 percent larger components than its predecessor. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was also reduced in rigorous field tests aimed at yielding a reliable and high performance system. The F-Super Duty project is TRW's first Ford truck actuation project and the new models also feature TRW's industry-leading Collette 2 caliper design. "TRW is leading the trend toward brake systems and modules that are easy to install, offer size and weight reductions and help eliminate customer complaints stemming from brake NVH," said Josef Pickenhahn, vice president of braking engineering for TRW Automotive. "We are proud that we were able to accomplish these goals and provide a highly-reliable braking system through our teamwork approach and by working closely with Ford engineers as a development partner." TRW Automotive also continues to supply the Ford Super Duty F-250 and F- 350 models with its state-of-the-art occupant restraint system, including seat belts, driver and passenger airbags and an air bag deactivation switch. Both the driver and passenger airbags are extremely modular, easy to adjust to the customers' requirements and are designed to provide a low gas exit temperature, as well as low effluents and particulates. By varying propellant, igniter technologies and filters, TRW has again improved the performance and behavior of the total airbag system. "As the leader in automotive safety systems, TRW is committed to producing the most advanced safety components to fit our customers' needs," said Doug P. Campbell, vice president of engineering for the occupant safety systems business of TRW Automotive. "Our goal is to make today's vehicles safer and we are excited to add our technology expertise to the Ford Super Duty line of trucks." About TRW With 2003 sales of $11.3 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's top 10 automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 61,000 people in 24 countries. TRW 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.trwauto.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements. 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 the TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. final prospectus dated as of February 2, 2004 (the "Prospectus") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4), our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 (the "10K") and our Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 26, 2004, June 25, 2004 and September 24, 2004 and include: our substantial leverage; the highly competitive automotive parts industry and its cyclicality; pricing pressures from our customers; increasing costs for purchased components and raw materials; non-performance by, or by insolvency of, our suppliers; product liability and warranty and recall claims; our dependence on our largest customers; limitations on flexibility in operating our business contained in our debt agreements; increases in interest rates; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; the possibility that our owners' interests will conflict with ours; work stoppages or other labor issues and other risks and uncertainties set forth under "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus and 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. Sou |