Rane TRW to manufacture 320,000 airbags and seatbelts per annum

Rane TRW Steering Systems Ltd (RTSSL), the 50:50 joint venture between Rane Investments and TRW, has expanded operations to manufacture TRW airbags and the latest generation of seatbelt systems.

RTSSL, which is the market leader in hydraulic power steering systems in India, manufactures hydraulic power steering gears, vane pumps and reservoirs. The company has an exclusive division manufacturing seatbelts at its Singaperumal Koil plant near Chennai. 

Frank Mueller, vice-president and general manager for TRW Occupant Safety Systems, said: "India is a very important market for TRW and we look forward to our continued partnership with Rane to manufacture a broader range of advanced technologies that help to protect drivers and occupants there.  As a global leader in safety, we are committed to providing affordable safety for all drivers and in all regions – to deliver the safety everyone deserves.

"The investment further strengthens RTSSL's position in providing state-of-the-art occupant safety solutions to its customers and is a proactive step for enhancing vehicle safety in this market."  

RTSSL is applying TRW's global manufacturing standards to produce driver and passenger airbags and seatbelts at the facility and will make around 320,000 units per annum initially, with an increase in manufacturing capacity to approximately 810,000 units in the coming three to five years.