2004 Ford F-150 Series Features Delphi Safety & Convenience Technologies

Occupant protection system, advanced audio among key Delphi contributions

TROY, Mich., Aug. 5 -- Ford Motor Company has included significant safety and convenience products from Delphi Corporation on its 2004 F-150 truck series, to be launched in the United States later this fall.

The F-150 series features Delphi's RECOGNITION(TM) passive occupant protection system, energy-absorbing steering column and numerous vehicle switches. The F-series, which has been America's best-selling vehicle for more than two decades, includes the all-new Lariat and FX4 for 2004, along with the XL, STS and XLT models.

"We are proud to be helping Ford make the F-150 series safer and more fun to drive," said Rodney O'Neal, Delphi executive vice president and Delphi's customer champion for Ford. "Americans love trucks, and as a supplier to Ford we want to continue assisting them in delivering technologies that will only enhance the ownership experience."

Highlighted Delphi content on the F-150 series:

* The RECOGNITION(TM) passive occupant detection system. The system includes a seat-based sensor. In conjunction with the Delphi's Belt Tension Switch, the sensor provides information to the airbag computer. The system utilizes a silicone-based weight sensing technology mounted under the passenger seat cushion. Using sophisticated classification algorithms and extensive signal processing, the vehicle airbag controller is notified to deploy or suppress the passenger airbag. The system requires no interaction by the passenger or driver to make the appropriate deployment decision. It has been engineered to enable the vehicle to exceed the rigorous new federal government safety standard, FMVSS 208, which governs airbag and offset crash performance.

* Energy Absorbing Steering Column. Delphi's steering columns feature the company's industry-leading energy absorbing occupant protection technology. Delphi's energy absorbing technology allows the column to absorb a portion of the occupant's kinetic energy during a crash situation, helping reduce the load on the driver. Delphi's expertise in occupant protection and electrical subsystems integration has allowed the company to create a superior system, which can be optimized and customized for any vehicle. In fact, more of the vehicles assessed as "Best Picks" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2002 use Delphi Energy Absorbing Steering Columns than any other steering column manufacturer.

* Variable Reluctance Speed Sensors and Shift Solenoids. Delphi's Intellek(TM) Variable Reluctance (VR) sensors can be used in multiple applications to measure speed, including ignition systems, electronically controlled transmissions, anti-lock brake systems (ABS) and traction control systems. For the F-150 application, Delphi's Variable Reluctance Speed Sensor is used to measure speed in the vehicle's electronically controlled transmission. Delphi's hydraulic solenoids are designed to control fluid flow in an automatic transmission, to help deliver smooth transmission shift control. In addition, these solenoids can protect against small particle (less than 250 microns) or large particle (more than 250 microns) contamination and are available as two-port or three-port designs. This flexibility in design allows the solenoid to be provided as a normally closed or normally open device.

* Vehicle Switches. Chosen by Ford for continued product development in terms of performance and ergonomics, the multifunction stalk switch, supplied for the F-150 series, is a leader in warranty performance on current Ford models. Delphi was also selected to supply the power window, power door lock, power sliding rear window and moonroof switches for the series as well.

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