Delphi Presented With Top Automotive Industry Award

28 September 2000

    PARIS, Sept. 28 A panel of top automotive business and
technology journalists has chosen Delphi Automotive Systems'
MagneRide ride control system as the 2000 winner of the prestigious
international Automotive World award for Best Use of Materials.  The award was
presented at a ceremony in Paris on September 27 the award recognizes Delphi
as an outstanding global developer of leading edge technologies.
    MagneRide is thought to be the first commercial use of Magneto-Rheological
(MR) fluids and valve-less dampers in an automotive application.  MR fluids
consist of magnetically soft particles suspended in a synthetic or silicon
base fluid.  Current applied to an electromagnetic coil inside the damper's
piston varies the rheological properties of the fluid, producing a
mechanically simple, but very responsive and controllable damping action.  The
technology allows Delphi's MagneRide to provide a very wide range of damping
forces with unparalleled responsiveness, helping vehicle manufacturers to
overcome the traditional trade-offs between ride and handling.  Real-time
electronic control provides the option of true integration of the various
chassis and powertrain systems to provide a step advance in dynamic control.
    "MagneRide offers customers a substantial improvement in ride quality,
vehicle handling and stability.  When it is linked with other chassis and
powertrain control subsystems it provides the ultimate in vehicle stability,
control and active safety," said Guy Hachey, Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems
president.  "I am proud to receive this award on behalf of everyone who has
worked on bringing this truly revolutionary technology to market."
    Delphi Automotive Systems was also nominated for Most Promising Technology
(Communiport Infotainment PC), Best Use of Technology (Ion-Sense for diesel
and gasoline direct injection) and Safety (Active Knee Bolster).  In addition,
Delphi partnered with Jaguar in the development of Adaptive Cruise Control,
which was presented with the award for the Best Use of Technology.