Delphi Opens New Technical Center in Korea

New center reaffirms commitment to Korean market

J.T. Battenberg III leads inauguration of major investment for Delphi

SEOUL, South Korea, July 23 -- Delphi Corp. officially opened its second Korean technical center during a ceremony this week in Seoul.

Delphi invested in excess of US$40 million to open the center, located in the province of Yong-in, Seoul. A team of 240 engineers and support personnel will initially focus on developing gasoline and diesel engine management systems for its customers.

Delphi's other Korean technical center is located in Kangwon-Do. The Seoul facility deepens Delphi's technical resources in the country, while being more centrally located to the Korean automaker's research and development centers.

"We are committed to Korea and to supporting our local customers here," said J.T. Battenberg III, Delphi's chairman, chief executive officer and president.

Battenberg, who attended the inauguration ceremony, said Korean customers will benefit from Delphi's global strength. "With six technical centers in the Asia Pacific and 34 technical centers worldwide, we can be developing technologies for our Korean customers literally around the clock that will provide value for their programs. We're excited about the possibilities."

South Korea is the sixth-largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, with 3.1 million units produced in 2003. By 2007, industry analysts forecast this figure to increase to nearly 3.5M units.

Dr. Dae Un Lee, President of Delphi Korea, said, "with this addition of the Korea Technical Center, we are in the best position to service Korean OEMs both in Korea and overseas, as they further develop their business globally. Delphi's capability to globally support Korean OEM customers is further strengthened by its global technical center infrastructure with cutting-edge technology competencies."

Delphi Korea was established on July 1, 1989, and today employs approximately 4,300 employees with its six joint ventures and one wholly owned operation in Korea. Delphi continues to develop its ventures with local technical development capabilities in key vehicle subsystems required to advance the Korean OEM's global growth.

Delphi manufacturers many technologies in Korea, including airbags, converters, compressors, heater assemblies, steering systems, generators, valves, batteries, power & signal distribution systems, A/C system modules, condensers, sensors, rack & pinion gears, columns/halfshafts, door latches, and fuel injectors. Delphi also helps drive the further development of the Korean automobile industry through key technology transfer and continued localization of key management positions and talent.

Delphi Global Technical Centers

Delphi uses a global perspective in managing its engineering resources and site locations. The staffing of technical centers in locations such as France, Japan, Poland, Korea, Mexico, and India enables Delphi to grow where its customers are also growing, while tapping into highly skilled employee populations.

With the addition of the Korea technical center, Delphi operates six technical centers in Asia Pacific: Japan, Singapore, India, Korea (2) and China.