Delphi to Design, Build Cockpit Module, Wiring Harnesses For New Mercedes GL-Class SUV

Innovative Battery Disconnect Safety Device, Leather-Wrapped Instrument Panel Among Featured Technologies

TROY, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Delphi Corp. continues to grow its relationship with DaimlerChrysler AG with full cockpit module design and build responsibility on the new Mercedes GL-Class full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV). The all-wheel drive vehicle recently made its debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. and is scheduled to launch in the U.S. and Europe later this year.

Similar to the content Delphi supplies to the automaker's M-Class SUV and the R-Class wagon, the instrument panel and console are manufactured in Delphi's Gadsden, Ala. plant and the entire cockpit assembly is performed at Delphi's Cottondale, Ala. facility. Both operations are in close proximity to Mercedes' Tuscaloosa, Ala. vehicle assembly plant where the GL-Class will be built alongside the M- and R-Class models.

"On the M- and R-Class vehicles, we worked closely with Mercedes all the way from the early stages of design to the final details of the cockpit assembly. Winning the contract to supply the GL-Class in the same fashion is a vote of confidence that validates our performance with this key customer and puts Delphi's mark on the interior of this impressive vehicle," Lon Offenbacher, business line executive, cockpits and interior systems, Delphi Thermal & Interior, said.

The GL-Class instrument panel will come in three different color variations with numerous wood options and an integral sewn passenger airbag seam.

As with its support of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and R-Class vehicles, Delphi is also providing the full wiring harness content on the new GL through a unique custom-build manufacturing process developed with the automaker.

"This process allows Mercedes-Benz to do away with the need to stock multiple part numbers, because with every harness built specifically to match an ordered vehicle, there are essentially no part numbers," Raul Cuellar, Mexico West manufacturing director for Delphi Packard Electric, said of the process, which marked its North American debut on the recently redesigned M- Class sport-utility vehicle.

Delphi's Packard Electric division builds and ships customer-specific full-body wiring harness packages within its Mexico operations for all three aforementioned Mercedes vehicles in a manner that matches exactly the highly diverse specific requirements of every model that comes through Mercedes' assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. More than 30,000 configurations are possible in the full-body wiring harnesses that are assembled for Mercedes, based on the numerous features and options consumers are afforded in this trio of luxury vehicles. Each one of these custom-built wiring harnesses is sequenced in pre-determined order to meet its "parent" vehicle on the assembly line as it is built.

Additionally, Delphi will provide its Battery Disconnect Safety Device for a version of the new GL-Class, a safety innovation designed to help mitigate short circuiting in collision events. Activated during a collision, the Battery Disconnect Safety Device helps prevent potential short circuits through the utilization of a small pyrotechnic charge that quickly and safely disconnects protected circuits. This provides circuit protection for the cables connecting the battery to the vehicle's starter, alternator and electrical centers.

The Battery Disconnect Safety Device will make its GL-Class debut on Europe-bound versions carrying the V6-powered diesel engine -- specifically, the GL 320 CDI -- which will become available on the continent later this year.

At Delphi, we help make cars safer, cleaner, more efficient, and fun to drive. For more information about Delphi Corporation (Pink Sheets: DPHIQ), visit http://www.delphi.com/