The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach in controlling an active suspension system. This approach utilized the proportional integral sliding mode control scheme. Using this type of sliding surface, the asymptotic stability of the system during sliding mode is assured compared to the conventional sliding surface. The proposed control scheme is applied in designing an automotive active suspension system for a quarter-car model and its performance is compared with the existing passive suspension system. A simulation study is performed to prove the effectiveness of this control design