LIVONIA, Mich. --- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., a provider of active and passive safety systems, is supplying its Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system to several new vehicles, including the MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops, the Saab 9-3, and various General Motors heavy-duty pickup trucks. With the new vehicles being added this year, TRW will be supplying ESC technology to more than 40 different models produced by more than a dozen automakers around the world. These range from small compact cars to large pickup trucks and 15-passenger vans. "By offering a wide range of systems and feature functions, TRW's ESC can fit virtually every light vehicle need," said Josef Pickenhahn, vice president of brake engineering for TRW Automotive. "With standard, high-performance and premium systems available, TRW can provide vehicle manufacturers with the desired level of cost and technology to fit the specific character and needs of their vehicles. As we continue to develop and add functionality to TRW ESC systems, this technology plays a crucial role in the evolution of next-generation active safety systems." An active safety system, ESC assists drivers in maintaining the lateral stability of the vehicle during difficult driving situations such as oversteer and understeer. By monitoring vehicle velocity information and driver inputs, ESC can proactively apply brake pressure to the appropriate wheels and, if necessary, cut engine throttle, to reduce the possibility of a loss of driver control. TRW's ESC technology allows for a range of active and passive safety integration opportunities, including integration with: -- Adaptive Cruise Control to enable pre-crash and emergency braking functions, using short- or long-range radar sensors or video sensors for Electronically Controlled Deceleration or full brake pressure for Emergency Brake Assist -- Electrically Powered Steering to provide Steering Torque Control function, which helps steer drivers in the correct direction to avoid skidding and sliding and can reduce braking distances and -- Regenerative braking through TRW's Slip Control Boost system for hybrid vehicles. Other TRW ESC enhancements include systems such as trailer brake stabilization that helps improve vehicle dynamics when towing significant loads, and dynamic rear proportioning that helps to balance braking without the need for separate proportioning valves.