TRW Automotive Holdings has launched Chinese production of its latest generation seat belts at its Shanghai manufacturing subsidiary.
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Shanghai TRW Automotive Safety Systems (STASS) has introduced the TRW BSA4.0 seat belt to a number of domestically-built vehicle platforms including FAW Volkswagen’s Passat B6 and the GM Holden-made Royaum sold by Shanghai General Motors (SGM). The BSA4.0 seat belt is claimed to offer an advanced pre-crash pretensioning feature and load-limiting capabilities while incorporating enhancements in comfort and noise reduction.
The BSA4.0 product family includes TRW’s innovative active control retractor (ACR) technology which removes excess seat belt slack upon detection of a potential accident, helping to put the occupant in a safer crash position. If the accident is avoided, the belt tensioning is reversible and the belt returns to its normal state after five seconds.
In 1993 TRW granted the first seat belt manufacturing licence to Shanghai Automobile Industry Corp. (SAIC). Four years later, the two companies formed STASS, a 50-50 joint venture.
Until airbag systems were added to its portfolio in 2005, the plant had been solely dedicated to seat belt production for the domestic market, and has steadily elevated its technical capability.
Seat belt pre-tensioning technology was introduced to Chinese customers in 2000, and has been applied to platforms such as Shanghai VW’s Polo (the sedan version is exported to Australia) and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen’s Peugeot 307. Other major customers include Brilliance, Chery, ChangAn Ford, Nanjing Fiat and Shanghai GM.
