Sea Ray(R) Boats to Feature Delphi Switch Technology On Industry-First Application of Auxiliary Controls
TROY, Mich., Sept. 27 -- Sea Ray is launching an industry- first feature for systems control and monitoring in the fiberglass boat market, a milestone reached with Delphi Corporation technology literally at the helm.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGO )
The global leader in the manufacture of premium pleasure boats, Sea Ray has reinforced its prominent position in the industry with the introduction of a Delphi steering wheel fully equipped with integrated controls for key functions on the craft's helm. This innovative feature allows Sea Ray to become the first to offer such capability in this market.
The technology is available as the Vessel Control System(TM) (VCS) on certain 2005 models just now reaching showrooms.
"Sea Ray is again delivering what our customers expect, and it underscores our commitment to customer satisfaction and expectations," said Rob Noyes, vice president of marketing for Sea Ray. "Customer expectations are high and we work hard every day to deliver a positive customer experience. Our dedication to innovative technology, quality appointments, and creative design is what makes Sea Ray distinctive."
Delphi is playing a leading role in enabling Sea Ray to bring this unique feature to boating enthusiasts through technologies first proven in the automotive industry. Those include switches, interconnect products, electrical distribution support and steering wheel units, all of which are integrated into Sea Ray's existing electronic architecture and are part of this debut application.
Sea Ray's introduction of a Delphi-designed and manufactured steering wheel with integrated controls on the helm effectively demonstrates how established technology can be utilized optimally with minor modifications to meet the quality and performance expectations of marine customers. It also helps to illustrate how Delphi can work effectively with companies seeking to bring differentiating product offerings to a market where such features have yet to appear.
"This is a great example of how we can help companies pursue new directions with the engineering and integration expertise that have characterized Delphi's long-standing role as a leader in the transportation industry," said James A. Spencer, president of Delphi's Packard Electric division. "Sea Ray has a long history of pacing the industry as an innovation leader, which comes with the ability to properly engineer and validate new technology that generates customer enthusiasm. Delphi is excited to be working with Sea Ray on this most recent development."
Delphi Packard Business Development Manager William Fisher noted that the division's Mechatronic Systems business segment is providing two sets of switches to enable a pair of steering wheel-mounted control functions. Sea Ray customers will have the ability to control radio functions and its exclusive SmartCraft(TM) instrument management system at the Delphi Electronic & Safety-supplied steering wheel. The SmartCraft system includes latest advances in marine diagnostics, monitoring the status of such conditions and features as water depth, engine alarms, fuel usage and range, and engine hours, among others.
The steering wheel and switches are integrated with Delphi Mechatronic Systems' clockspring assembly technology and utilize Delphi connectors and wiring harnesses that provide the link necessary to maximize system performance. The entire VCS system, Fisher added, was subjected by both companies to an unprecedented level of testing for such a marine application, exceeding already robust requirements with validation activities that far exceeded normal life cycles for virtually every test.
Sea Ray is making this technology standard on the 290 Select(R) sport boat and 290 Sun Sport(R) sport cruiser, and as an optional feature on other Select and Sundeck(R) sport boat models.
"This unique marine application of switch technology integrated into the steering wheel brings Sea Ray customers the added convenience of at-the-wheel controls for key functions," said David Burgner, business line executive for Delphi Mechatronic Systems. "It also helps Delphi answer the growing call in the marine industry for watercraft that more closely parallels the features and options generally associated with the technology developed for automobiles."
For more information about Delphi Corporation, visit Delphi at http://www.delphi.com/media .
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
All statements contained or incorporated in this press release which address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future (including statements relating to future sales or earnings expectations, savings expected as a result of our global restructurings or other initiatives, portfolio restructuring plans, volume growth, awarded sales contracts and earnings per share expectations or statements expressing general optimism about future operating results) are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of management's current views and assumptions with respect to future events. Important factors, risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ from those expressed in our forward-looking statements are discussed in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. In particular, the achievement of projected levels of revenue, earnings, cash flow and debt levels will depend on our ability to execute our portfolio and other global restructuring plans in a manner which satisfactorily addresses any resultant antitrust or labor issues and customer concerns, any contingent liabilities related to divestitures or integration costs associated with acquisitions, and other matters; the success of our efforts to diversify our customer base and still maintain existing GM business; the continued protection and exploitation of our intellectual property to develop new products and enter new markets; and our ability to capture expected benefits of our cost reduction initiatives so as to maintain flexibility to respond to adverse and cyclical changes in general economic conditions and in the automotive industry in each market we operate, including customer cost reduction initiatives, potential increases in warranty costs, pension contributions, healthcare costs, disruptions in the labor, commodities or transportation markets caused by terrorism or war and other changes in the political and regulatory environments where we do business. Delphi does not intend or assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGOPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/076666.html