RW Automotive, headquartered in Livonia, Michigan[1] was

an American global supplier of automotive systems, modules, and components to

automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and related aftermarkets. In 2015, TRW
Automotive was acquired by ZF Friedrichshafen and subsequently has been renamed ZF TRW
Automotive Holdings Corp.[1][3]
TRW formally stood for "Thompson Ramo Wooldridge"; it was formed when Thompson Products
merged with Ramo-Wooldridge in 1958.[4] The company operated primarily surrounding the design,
manufacture and sale of safety systems. It operated approximately 200 facilities with 66,100
employees in 26 vehicle-producing countries.

Contents
[hide]

 1History
 2Automotive History
 3Contributions
 4References
 5External links

History[edit]
When aerospace company Northrop Grumman purchased competitor TRW in 2002, it sold TRW's
automotive division to private equity firm Blackstone Group. TRW Automotive went public in a
February 2004 initial public offering (IPO), after which Blackstone held a 56.7% interest in TRW,
Northrop Grumman, 17.2%, and TRW management, 1.7%. The company can trace its history back
to TRW Inc's beginnings in 1901, but was founded as TRW Automotive in 2002.
On September 15, 2014, it was announced that German car parts maker ZF Friedrichshafen will buy
TRW Automotive for approximately $13.5 billion including debt.[5][6] The takeover was completed on
the 15th May 2015, and TRW Automotive now operates as part of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, as
Division 'Active & Passive Safety Technology'.[7]

Automotive History[edit]
 1904 - First two-piece automotive valve for Winton Motors Company
 1909 - Wooden wheels for Ford Model T
 1928 - Parking brakes for Ford
 1932 - Composite Brake Drum
 1935 - Wedge/Roller Actuated Drum Brake
 1939 - Standard equipment hydraulic brake systems
 1946 - Power brake systems
 1952 - Integral power steering system for Chrysler New Yorker
 1957 - Disc Brake System - Europe
 1964 - Brake proportioning valves
 1964 - Disc Braking System - North America
 1967 - Rack and pinion steering
 1968 - Electronically Controlled Anti-Lock Braking System
 1972 - Power rack and pinion steering
 1979 - Colette Front Calipers
 1986 - Rear Wheel ABS system
 1987 - Seat belt pre-tensioning device
 1988 - Remote keyless entry system
 1989 - Switches made in TRW Sunderland
 1994 - Complete vehicle occupant restraint system
 1994 - Four-wheel ABS systems for GM
 1994 - Frontal airbag and sensor system
 1994 - Single-source production of Vehicle Occupant Restraint System
 1994 - Solid propellant frontal airbag system, including crash sensors
 1996 - Electronic Actuation System with Brake Assist
 1998 - Electrically Powered Hydraulic Steering
 2001 - Airbag Rollover Canopy System
 2001 - Electrically Powered Steering
 2001 - Vehicle Stability Control
 2002 - Active Control Retractor
 2002 - Adaptive Cruise Control
 2002 - Electric Park Brake
 2003 - Weight-based Occupant Classification System
 2004 - Silicon initiator technology for airbag inflators
 2004 - Touch Sensor Technology capacitive sensing for interior vehicle controls
 2005 - Active Dynamic Control family of active suspension systems
 2006 - Non-rotating driver airbag technology
 2006 - Slip Control Boost hybrid braking stability control technology
 2007 - Efficient Climate Control system to maintain occupant comfort and enhance fuel economy
 2007 - Electric Drum-in-Hat park brake technology
 2007 - ESC-R regenerative brake technology for hybrid vehicles
 2008 - Active Buckle Lifter seat belt system to enhance convenience, comfort and safety
 2008 - First Lane Keeping System, integrating camera and electric steering technology
 2008 - Head protection system for convertible vehicles
 2008 - Scalable Airbag Electronic Control Unit for emerging markets
 2015 - Acquired by ZF Friedrichshafen