TRW Automotive Holdings on Monday announced it had secured a number of contracts for the supply of electric power steering (EPS) to domestic Chinese vehicle manufacturers, with the first launch scheduled for 2012. TRW will supply its Column Drive EPS system for multiple platforms with four domestic manufacturers initially. Production will be in Anting, China.
“In 2010, we announced plans to localize production of our electric steering technology in China for a leading global vehicle manufacturer. Now, in addition to winning further business with global vehicle manufacturers, we’re pleased to have the opportunity to support our first domestic Chinese customers for this advanced technology,” said Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales and business development. “Chinese VMs continue to increase the level of sophistication in their vehicles, with a strong focus on reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Electric steering supports these goals well.”
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TRW was selected for this business due to its deep knowledge of EPS systems and how they work within the vehicle’s overall architecture.
Engineering for electric steering is supported locally in China from TRW’s research and development center in Shanghai.
Production at Anting facility will start this year with an annual capacity in the range of 450,000 units initially. It is expected that an additional 170 people including engineering and other support personnel will be hired in this first phase.
TRW is investing heavily in capacity for several advanced technology products to meet the needs of the China market. In the next two years, it will add local production capabilities for airbag inflators and electronic stability control.
