Delphi Celebrates 40th Anniversary of TILT-WHEEL Steering Columns

SAGINAW, Mich., Dec. 19, 2002; Delphi Corporation, a global leader in steering column design and production, was the first automotive components supplier to introduce tilt steering forty years ago. TILT-WHEEL(TM) Steering Columns, originally produced in 1962 at Delphi's Plant 4 located in Saginaw, Michigan, allow simple, quick, convenient adjustment of steering wheel position. A column-mounted lever unlocks the tilt mechanism, allowing the driver to move the upper column and steering wheel to the desired position. The steering wheel can be placed at any one of several positions located along a 25-degree arc. After adjustment, the spring loaded lever locks the upper column and steering wheel into the desired position. This technology, now virtually an industry standard, was a vast improvement over standard fixed steering columns, allowing drivers easier entry and exit from the vehicle, as well as added driving comfort.

Of the forty-year anniversary, Robert J. Remenar, president of Delphi Steering Systems stated, "Delphi was a pioneer in the steering column industry, being the first to develop both tilt steering and energy absorbing technology. As we move into the future, we will continue to set industry standards and lead the way in providing greater driver safety and comfort through steering and column systems."

In the area of safety, Delphi leads the industry in energy absorption technology. In fact, more of the vehicles assessed as "Best Picks" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety use Delphi Energy Absorbing Steering Columns than another other steering column manufacturer.

Delphi's first energy absorbing device was the mesh column for 1967 models. Today Delphi has the largest portfolio of energy absorbing devices in the industry, including ball and sleeve, deformable bending brackets, tuned metal straps and adaptive energy absorbing devices.

Delphi's most advanced technology, adaptive energy absorbing steering columns, help improve crashworthiness by adjusting energy absorption levels based on a variety of factors depending on the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer. These factors may include occupant mass, seat belt usage, vehicle speed and crash severity. Delphi's adaptive energy absorbing device utilizes an adjusting mechanism, which senses occupant mass, seat belt position and seat position prior to a collision. As the collision occurs, the device adapts based on vehicle speed and crash severity. The energy absorbing device enhances occupant safety by also adjusting a column collapse load to various driver conditions (a high load for a large, unbelted driver in a severe collision and a low load for a small, belted driver in a light collision).

Aside from leading the industry in energy absorbing technology, Delphi is also a leader in advanced electronic integration. Current trends indicate the electrical and electronic content on vehicles will nearly double over the next 10 years. These subsystems have to be integrated, which often requires an interface with the steering column. For example, new vehicle electronic ride and handling systems require integration of precise steering column feedback sensors. Enhanced comfort and convenience features seek personalization by applying reconfigurable controls on the steering wheel and column. New safety and anti-theft features are being driven by the desire to develop a keyless vehicle. Delphi develops many of these new electronics virtually all under one roof, enabling its engineers to understand the integration at a more sophisticated vehicle manufacturer level and add additional value to its customers.

Delphi offers a broad portfolio of steering columns in manual or power configurations including traditional rake columns with infinite positions, TILT-WHEEL(TM) Steering Columns with a 25 degree arc, rake and telescope columns with + or - 25 mm of length adjustment and tilt and telescope steering columns for the maximum in height adjustment and telescopic travel distance. These steering columns offer a variety of features such as tilt adjustment, energy absorbing for crashworthiness, electrical interface, column air bag system, and anti-theft systems.

Producing more than 50,000 steering columns daily in 10 worldwide manufacturing facilities, Delphi is the global leader in volume and market share. In September 2002, Delphi announced steering column contracts totaling more than $1.6 billion dollars across North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific.