TRW says 3 automakers ordered electric brakes
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DETROIT -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. says it has received orders for electric brakes from three major North American automakers.
A TRW spokesman wouldn't identify the three but said the technology is expected to be used in a vehicle launched this year.
The system, which TRW calls electric park brake, functions as a conventional hydraulic brake for standard braking and as an electric brake for parking and emergency braking.
TRW predicts that about 10 percent of vehicles sold in North America will have its electric park brake system by 2015.
TRW said the system uses electrical cables and a control switch instead of a typical foot pedal or hand lever for the parking brake portion of the system, which simplifies routing and allows for more design freedom for vehicle interiors.
TRW says its brake system can be integrated with other vehicle systems, such as electronic stability control. It can simplify assembly and cut weight -- up to 16 pounds in a large SUV or pickup, TRW said.
TRW Automotive, of suburban Detroit, ranks No. 11 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers with worldwide sales to automakers of $14.4 billion in fiscal 2010.
You can reach Ellen Mitchell at emitchell@crain.com.
