TRW’s History: 100 years old and as young as ever!

”The old are wise and the young adventurous” - anon

As a part of TRW Automotive, TRW’s aftermarket business benefits from our parent company’s 100 years of experience in the motor industry. In this time, we’ve learned enough to gain some wisdom, while retaining the energy of our pioneering founders.

• We built the wooden wheels for the first model T Ford in 1908
• We developed the first Lane Keeping System, integrating camera and electric steering in 2008.

In the 98 years in between we have become a global leader in automotive safety.

About TRW Automotive

It became an independent automotive organization in 2003, and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 2004.

At its beginning, TRW and its founding companies developed a vast array of products for the fledgling auto industry. These included fasteners and cap screw technology that was eventually adapted to create the first two-piece engine valve, as well as wooden wheels for Henry Ford's Model T in North America, and lighting and other electrical products in Europe.

TRW Automotive is a global leader in automotive safety, producing one of the largest arrays of active and passive safety technologies. It continues to be at the forefront of developments in vehicle dynamics, driver assist systems, foundation brakes, inflatable restraints, seat belt technologies and the electronics and software advancements that will enhance the safety, convenience and comfort of tomorrow's vehicles.

Milestones

• 2008 - First Lane Keeping System, integrating camera and electric steering technology
• 2008 - Scalable Airbag Electronic Control Unit for emerging markets
• 2008 - Active Buckle Lifter seat belt system to enhance convenience, comfort and safety
• 2008 - Head protection system for convertible vehicles
• 2007 - Electric Drum-in-Hat park brake technology
• 2007 - ESC-R regenerative brake technology for hybrid vehicles
• 2007 - Efficient Climate Control system to maintain occupant comfort and enhance fuel economy
• 2006 - Non-rotating driver airbag technology
• 2006 - Slip Control Boost hybrid braking stability control technology
• 2005 - Active Dynamic Control family of active suspension systems
• 2004 - Touch Sensor Technology capacitive sensing for interior vehicle controls
• 2004 - Silicon initiator technology for airbag inflators
• 2003 - Weight-based Occupant Classification System
• 2002 - Active Control Retractor
• 2002 - Adaptive Cruise Control
• 2002 - Electric Park Brake
• 2001 - Airbag Rollover Canopy System
• 2001 - Electrically Powered Steering
• 2001 - Vehicle Stability Control
• 1998 - Electrically Powered Hydraulic Steering
• 1996 - Electronic Actuation System with Brake Assist
• 1994 - Single-source production of Vehicle Occupant Restraint System
• 1994 - Frontal airbag and sensor system
• 1994 - Solid propellant frontal airbag system, including crash sensors
• 1994 - Four-wheel ABS systems for GM
• 1994 - Complete vehicle occupant restraint system
• 1988 - Remote keyless entry system
• 1987 - Seat belt pre-tensioning device
• 1986 - Rear Wheel ABS system
• 1979 - Colette Front Calipers
• 1972 - Power rack and pinion steering
• 1968 - Electronically Controlled Anti-Lock Braking System
• 1967 - Rack and pinion steering
• 1964 - Brake proportioning valves
• 1964 - Disc Braking System - North America
• 1957 - Disc Brake System - Europe
• 1952 - Integral power steering system for Chrysler New Yorker
• 1946 - Power brake systems
• 1935 - Wedge/Roller Actuated Drum Brake
• 1939 - Standard equipment hydraulic brake systems
• 1932 - Composite Brake Drum
• 1928 - Parking brakes for Ford
• 1909 - Wooden wheels for Ford Model "T"
• 1904 - First two-piece automotive valve for Winton Motors Company