Delphi to Provide Fuel Cell Update at Detroit-Area Media Event, June 27

TROY, Mich., June 26 -- Delphi continues to pursue the development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) for auxiliary power to help reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Jean Botti, chief technologist of the Innovation Center for Delphi's Dynamics & Propulsion Sector, will present an update on Delphi's fuel cell development progress during a presentation for media at Delphi's world headquarters in Troy, Mich., Thursday, June 27, at 7:30 a.m. This presentation follows Delphi's technology program at the Pontiac Silverdome today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. providing journalists the opportunity to experience a wide range of Delphi's advanced technologies in a ride and drive format.

"Delphi believes SOFC is an efficient, clean auxiliary power source for transportation and stationary applications," said Botti. "We intend to use existing competencies and new technology to target the growing market for SOFC systems, including passenger automobiles, heavy-duty trucks, recreational vehicles, and stationary and military applications."

In his presentation, Botti, 45, will discuss the various uses of fuels and fuel reformation needed in fuel cell development, the relative complexity of reformation in both SOFC and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and an update on Delphi's second generation SOFC and stack technology. He also will address SOFC technical challenges and system cost targets.

Delphi is a leader in the advancement of fuel cell development, having worked with U.S. and European customers in SOFC and PEM fuel cell development programs for several years. Delphi's fuel cell activities include:

A partnership with BMW on a gasoline SOFC development project for the last two years. Renault joined this effort and added diesel SOFC development for commercial vehicles to the objectives of the Delphi BMW development project. A partnership with TotalFinaElf to collaborate on research and testing of fuels for use in fuel cell reformers. Delphi and Battelle have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive a 10-year, $74.6 million cost-share contract to assist in the further development of SOFC technology. A partnership with Belfort Fuel Cell Research Center. The French Ministry of Research oversees this national center for technical research, with the help of corporate partners like Delphi and PSA-Peugeot-Citroen. Botti is a 25-year veteran of the automotive industry, beginning his career at Renault in 1977, and subsequently taking a position at General Motors in 1989. Botti joined the Delphi team in 1999, when the company became independent from General Motors. He has been involved in the development of fuel cells for more than five years.

A native of France, Botti graduated from I.N.S.A. Toulouse, France in 1986 with a master's degree in mechanical engineering. He also earned a master's degree in business administration from Central Michigan University in 1991, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers, Paris, France in 1995. Botti holds four patents and three defensive publications for his work at Delphi. He also holds 11 patents outside of Delphi.