Delphi's New Flex Metal Catalyst Cuts Precious Metal Content While Substantially Reducing Emissions

Precious Metal Savings of More Than 40 Percent Possible

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 3 -- Delphi Corp.'s new Flex Metal Catalyst helps reduce Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) costs by cutting the amount of precious metals needed to meet stringent gasoline emission requirements for 2004 and beyond. This new technology will be introduced in Europe and North America in 2004.

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"This new catalyst design gives OEMs excellent flexibility to reduce both tailpipe emissions and costs," said Scott Bailey, director of engineering, Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems. "For some applications in current production, replacements with the Delphi Flex Metal Catalyst technology would allow precious metal savings of more than 40 percent."

"The Delphi Flex Metal Catalyst utilizes advanced alumina and oxygen storage components which improve exhaust-gas diffusion and catalytic activity over a wider air-to-fuel ratio. The enhanced catalytic activity increases robustness against variation in vehicle engine out emissions," said John Fuerst, business line executive, Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems. "The key to the reduction of precious metal content and tailpipe emissions is the increased accessibility of the exhaust gases to the catalytically active sites. The new Flex Metal Catalyst product line provides higher temperature durability, faster light-off and a more efficient oxygen storage function. These benefits translate to simultaneously lower hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides tailpipe emissions."

Delphi's Flex Metal Catalyst product line is designed to allow precious metal changes without significant modifications to other washcoat components. With this feature, OEMs can choose platinum or palladium metals late in their development process, providing maximum flexibility for selecting precious metal type, and giving OEMs freedom to choose metals when metal prices fluctuate.

Additionally, Delphi's new Precision Metal Addition (PMA) manufacturing process complements this catalyst design. This superior process provides more precise control of the amount of precious metals utilized in manufacturing.

For more information about Delphi and its operating subsidiaries, visit Delphi's Media Room at www.delphi.com/media .

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