Delphi Secures New Steering Column Business With Ford

Delphi's new steering technology offers customized protection for drivers

SAGINAW, Mich., Aug. 9 -- Delphi Corp. will supply its new active energy absorbing steering columns to Ford Motor Co. for the 2005 Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car sedans.

This new business further strengthens Delphi's position as a leader in the global steering column market and expands upon the steering column business already won by Delphi for the 2004 Ford F-150 truck series.

"We are very pleased that Ford has once again chosen Delphi to supply its state-of-the-art steering columns for their mid- and full-size luxury sedans," said Robert J. Remenar, president of Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems and vice president of Delphi Corp. "Delphi is the leader in occupant safety technology and our advanced steering systems allow us to help provide maximum safety and peace of mind for the driver."

The steering column greatly reduces the impact of a crash on the upper body by absorbing up to 20 percent of the driver's energy during a collision. Based on a variety of inputs including driver weight and size, seat belt usage, speed and crash severity, the column has the potential to adapt its energy absorbing settings for drivers of all sizes.

On Ford's new 2005 full-size sedans, Delphi's active energy absorbing device will use a pyrotechnic actuator to optimize the energy absorbed prior to a collision by responding to seat position and seat belt usage. The active energy absorbing steering column will act in conjunction with a dual-stage airbag as part of an integrated safety system to help protect drivers.

Along with the active energy absorbing steering column, Delphi is supplying Ford with a flexible coupling assembly, which provides a secure link between the steering column and the steering gear, as well as providing optimum noise and vibration isolation. The column itself will have fine increment tilt, allowing a wide range of tilt options to suit the individual comfort needs of every driver.

Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems is the largest steering column producer in the world and is a leader in crashworthiness technology and column electronic integration.