Delphi CEO says bookings strong, sees 'good finish'

October 7, 2002 WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Virginia Bloomberg News reports that Delphi Corp. has bookings for 32 car and truck companies it supplies worldwide and expects to have a "good finish" to the year in car sales, Chief Executive Officer J.T. Battenberg III said in an interview, Bloomberg Television reported.

Battenberg, speaking at the Business Council conference in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, said he expects auto parts sales to be down slightly in 2003, "but at a good strong level."

"We're looking to finish out the year in good shape," Battenberg said in an interview with Bloomberg Radio. "The (auto) industry may slow a little next year."

Auto sales aren't slowing, as many people perceive it to be doing, Battenberg said on Bloomberg Television.

"Prices are coming down. More people are able to buy cars," he said. "The order banks are in good shape. People will eventually see that the auto industry is strong."

Delphi shouldn't have to cut more jobs, Battenberg said. Delphi is operating at the same production levels as two years ago with 26,000 fewer employees, and revenue will be up this quarter over a year earlier, he said.

"Our challenge will be to hold the productivity gains that we got during the recession," Battenberg said.