Delphi Wins $54 Million Power Sliding Door Business in Europe

    FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 11 Delphi Automotive Systems
has won production contracts worth approximately $54 million over
the life of the contracts for its power sliding door.  The first European
application to offer a power sliding door will be in 2002.  A second
application on a light-commercial vehicle will soon follow.
    
    Delphi's power sliding door provides remote, automatic operation of side-
entry sliding doors from the normal door handles, from internal or external
switches, or from a remote entry unit.  Users can put items directly into the
vehicle, without having to put them on the ground first while the door is
opened.  They also solve the problem of large, heavy doors, which are
particularly difficult to open manually if the vehicle is on an incline.
Delphi's power sliding door opens at the touch of a button.

    The system is operated by an electric motor drive unit and the doors are
automatically reversed if an obstruction is encountered.  The technology used
by both customers is significantly more compact than earlier systems and
benefits from Delphi's extensive experience in this product area.  Delphi has
been manufacturing power sliding doors since 1993 and now has more than 1.4
million on the road -- around three times more than any other supplier.

    Delphi's power products sales bookings increased more than 240 percent in
the U.S. last year and rapid growth is now anticipated in Europe.

    "This is a really attractive feature that will help vehicle manufacturers
differentiate their products," said James A. Bertrand, president of Delphi
Safety & Interior Systems.  "In fact, in the U.S., the power sliding door has
become so popular, that it is difficult to find a minivan that does not offer
the power door as an option."

    "Delphi has highly flexible systems that provide more options for vehicle
manufacturers that fit well with agile manufacturing facilities.  Our systems
provide a lighter, tightly packaged product, so we expect similar enthusiasm
in Europe from vehicle manufacturers as confirmation of Delphi's understanding
of the consumers' needs in automotive comfort and convenience," Bertrand said.

    Other power products available from Delphi include power liftgates, power
boot lids (power trunk lids), power tonneau covers and power sliding glass.
For more information about Delphi Automotive Systems, visit Delphi's
Virtual Press Room at http://www.delphiauto.com/vpr .