Dubai, January 23, 2012 - TRW Automotive Aftermarket today announced the launch of its Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for the Commercial Vehicle market, into the Middle East. TPMS is a proven technology offering improved tyre performance, fuel economy and safety, which is set to deliver significant benefits to operators of Commercial Vehicles (CV) and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) alike.
The quality external TPMS range, launched under the company's EnTire SolutionTM brand, has been developed for the aftermarket and consists of five kits which provide direct measurement of individual tyre pressure for CV, HCV and trailer solutions with up to 14 tyres in 13 different configurations.
According to Marco Loth, TRW's General Manager, TRW Automotive Aftermarket, Middle East, the installation process is quick and easy as the ECU is pre programmed to identify whether the vehicle has been fitted with 4 x sensors, 6 x sensors or 8 x sensors. For additional trailer requirements the number of sensors can be supplemented with a specific kit, capable of monitoring up to six extra tyres via a simple manual recalibration of the LCD display unit.
He explained: "Our kits offer an effective way for operators of heavy duty vehicles to profit from the tangible benefits of TPMS including: improved tyre performance, fuel economy and extended tread life as well as improved safety and reduced CO2 emissions. These benefits have already resulted in legislation which will see the technology introduced on all cars new to market from this year, and new cars sold from 2014 - CVs and HCVs will not be far behind and we will be ready with the smart solutions our customers need."
According to Joshy Pettah, TRW's Marketing Manager, there are considerable savings to be made from TPMS. He explained: "One of the largest costs for Commercial Vehicle fleet operators are tyre-related expenses, including maintenance and replacement, with under-inflation widely recognised as one of the primary causes of tyre failure. Our 'cost savings calculator', which can be accessed at www.trwaftermarket.com/tpms demonstrates the typical cost savings in terms of fuel and tyre maintenance, as well as details of the reductions in CO2 emissions, which are achievable with the addition of TPMS."
As an aftermarket product, the TPMS kit is easy to fit via a screw cap mechanism on the tyre valve. Sensors installed on valve stems transmit to an LCD display unit mounted in the cab. The sensor monitors tyre pressure and temperature inside the tyre and transmits the information wirelessly to the LCD display unit. The device provides real time warning of tyre leaks, minimising the chance of serious damage such as tyre blowout to increase driver safety.
Joshy Pettah concluded: "Tyre under-inflation is a common problem with far reaching consequences but it is also an issue which is easily resolved. The EnTire SolutionTM TPMS programme from TRW delivers the quality and innovation our customers can expect from our many years of experience of manufacturing market-leading TPMS for the OE market worldwide. It is a further example of our commitment to develop products and services that complement the core chassis offering for the wider customer benefit."
Cost saving calculator case study:
On the basis of a fleet operating 14 x 6 wheel vehicles pulling 12 x 6 wheel trailers covering 644 km. per day on an average of 26 days a month, TRW's cost saving calculator estimates that the average savings per fleet per year with the addition of the company's Entire SolutionTM TPMS technology could be as much as $ 15,766.
The potential savings in CO2 emissions for the same fleet using diesel powered engines, for the same period, is estimated at 26,374 kg. Visits www.trwaftermarket.com to try TRW's 'cost saving calculator' and see how much your fleet could be saving.
EnTire SolutionTM
TRW's EnTire SolutionTM brand was originally a joint venture between Michelin and TRW Automotive, it is now wholly owned by TRW Automotive. The EnTire SolutionTM brand was established in 2003 to develop and manufacture direct TPMS solutions, bringing together Michelin's expertise in tyres and TRW's expertise in electronics to develop, market and sell direct, driver-oriented TPMS and related tools and services to Original Equipment manufacturers worldwide.
EU legislation
EU legislation stating that all new cars introduced to market from this year, 2012, and new cars sold from 2014, must have TPMS fitted as standard was introduced in March 2009. It followed the US introduction of the TREAD act denoting TPMS systems be fitted to all new cars and light vans sold in the US from 2008. This came about after accidents and roll-overs during the late 1990s resulted in over 100 deaths. It is likely that this will follow on a global basis in the next few years.
Reports suggest that under-inflation of tyres leads to a 2% increase in fuel consumption, and a 25% decrease in the life of a tyre. It is estimated that tyre under-inflation is today responsible for over 20 million litres of unnecessary fuel consumption, dumping over 2 million tonnes of CO2 in the atmosphere and resulting in over 200 million tyres being prematurely wasted in the world.
Although no CV/HCV legislation has yet been passed it is likely to follow. TRW is well positioned to support its customers with products and technology that will help them to stay ahead of the game.
About TRW
With 2010 sales of $14.4 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 over 60,000 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.
About TRW Automotive Aftermarket
TRW Automotive Aftermarket is a division of TRW Automotive and is the leading supplier of 'Corner Module' parts (braking, steering and suspension) into the global aftermarket. The business supports this offer with maintenance, diagnostics, training and technical support, for the independent aftermarket and official OEM networks. For more information, see: www.trwaftermarket.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 U.S. 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 could 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, 2010 (our "Form 10-K"), such as: tighter financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit negatively affecting our business; a material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results or the viability of our supply base; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; any shortage of supplies causing a production disruption; increasing costs negatively impacting our profitability; the loss of any of our largest customers materially adversely affecting us; costs of product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to adversely alter contract terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; costs or liabilities relating to environmental, health and safety regulations adversely affecting our results; risks associated with non-U.S. operations adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; any inability to protect our intellectual property rights adversely affecting our business or our competitive position; any increase in the expense of our pension and other postretirement benefits or the funding requirements of our pension plans reducing our profitability; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers adversely affecting our operations; volatility in our annual effective tax rate resulting from a change in our valuation allowances position or other factors; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our Form 10-K and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any update or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.
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