TRW Automotive Launches Production of Active and Passive Safety Products for New Audi A6 in China

LIVONIA, Mich., April 20 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. today announced that it has launched production of active and passive safety systems and components from its China operations to support the launch of the new Audi A6 model built at First Auto Works in Changchun.

TRW has been a long time supplier of the FAW group through its TRW FAWER Automobile Safety System Co. (TFASS), joint venture in Changchun. Established in 1997, the venture was expanded in 2004 to include the manufacture and supply of airbag modules and steering wheels.

The new Audi models feature steering wheels and driver side and curtain airbag modules supplied from TFASS, as well as additional TRW passive safety components supplied from the Shanghai TRW Automotive Safety System (STASS) venture.

TRW active safety products are also being supplied to the newly launched Audi A6 model. They include braking products from the TRW Lucas Varity Langzhong Brake Co., Ltd. (LVLB) joint venture in Langfang such as rear calipers and new products recently localized at LVLB such as actuation. Other advanced braking products include TRW's electric park brake (EPB).

"We are very excited to be supporting the launch of these outstanding new vehicles in China," said Alain Charlois, vice president, Business Development for TRW Automotive in Asia-Pacific. "We are supplying a full range of active and passive safety products from three different Chinese ventures for the new A6, demonstrating our ability to serve our customers in China with localized active and safety products and look forward to working with our FAW VW partner to set a new standard for vehicles built here."

One example of advanced safety/convenience equipment supplied for the new models is the TRW Electric Park Brake. The industry's first fully electric park brake was introduced by the company in 2002 and is also featured on Audi models such as the A6 and the A8 built in Europe. The EPB system replaces mechanical parking brakes and the bulky mechanisms associated with them such as hand levers or foot pedals in the interior of the vehicle, and cable mechanisms and cables running through the vehicle. It also adds functionality to the park brake system such as hill hold and hill assist that prevent the car from rolling backward from a parked position or when pulling away from a traffic light.

About TRW

With 2004 sales of $12.0 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's top 10 automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 60,000 people in 24 countries. 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.trwauto.com/ .