U.S. Firm Moves Up a Notch

December 11, 2001

Sacramento - If someone would have forecast a decade ago that the then General Motors subsidiary Delphi would one day be supplying parts or systems to Italian exotic carmakers, they would have been branded a loony. But that's exactly what is happening. From Molinella, Italy comes word that Automobili Lamborghini has tapped Delphi Automotive Systems' Harrison Thermal unit to supply heating, ventilation and air conditioning modules. The HVAC systems will be installed on the newest Lambo, the Murciélago, which is due to replace the Diablo. The Murciélago, however, takes Lamborghini engineers into uncharted waters, with all-wheel drive, a six-speed gear box and a new 580 horsepower engine, not to mention computer controlled, all-automatic climate control.

The deal with Lamborghini won't make Delphi rich as it will supply only 450 HVAC units a year, all of which will be manufactured in Molinella at a Delphi facility. Delphi engineers are quick to point out, however, that designing and building an HVAC system for a vehicle as radical looking and as fast as the Murciélago, represents a unique challenge.

The name Murciélago, by the way, comes from a famous Spanish bull that displayed so much ferocity and courage that it was spared by the matador.