Delphi and BMW Announce Development of Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit
27 April 1999
Delphi and BMW Announce Development of Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit
MUNICH, Germany, April 26 -- Delphi Automotive Systems
and BMW announced today that they have signed a development
agreement to produce vehicles that use a solid-oxide fuel cell as an auxiliary
power unit and that have the potential of being clean, high-power-generation
vehicles.
Under the development agreement, BMW and Delphi are jointly developing a
fuel cell system that will be used as an auxiliary power unit for gasoline
engines. This will allow BMW to offer more features more efficiently with the
potential to reduce the emissions of an internal combustion engine.
Delphi will develop the fuel cell system and BMW will integrate the unit
into a vehicle.
The solid-oxide fuel cell unit will provide more energy into the vehicle
to enhance the electrical systems. Delphi and BMW plan to produce the solid
oxide fuel cell unit in the near future.
During the signing ceremony held today at BMW's technical center in
Munich, Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart, BMW board member, responsible for development
and purchasing at BMW, said: "For the production development of the
solid-oxide fuel cell system, BMW has selected a very strong partner --
Delphi. Delphi, the world's largest automotive supplier, is also committed to
the quick implementation of this technology."
Representing Delphi at the ceremony, Jose Maria Alapont, executive
director of international operations for Delphi Energy and Engine Management
Systems, said, "This project has worldwide application and offers the
possibility for vehicle manufacturers to use fuel cell technology not only as
a propulsion system but also as an auxiliary power unit."
"The solid-oxide fuel cell unit has the ability to increase the electric
power within a vehicle to offer more features in the most efficient way.
Additionally, it provides tremendous potential to reduce the emissions of the
internal combustion engine," Alapont said.
"BMW has extensive knowledge in hydrogen powertrains. That expertise,
coupled with Delphi's demonstrated abilities in fuel cell systems, will
provide the partnership with a definite advantage in developing and producing
this industry leading technology," he added.
"The signing of this development agreement strengthens an already positive
relationship between BMW and Delphi. Delphi currently supplies vehicle
energy, evaporative emissions control, chassis, electronics and wiring
systems," Alapont said.
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a
world leader in automotive component and systems technology. Delphi's three
business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive
product solutions for complex customer needs. Delphi has more than 195,000
employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 38 joint ventures
and 27 technical centers in 36 countries. Delphi Europe has more than 38,000
employees and operates 65 manufacturing sites, 7 joint ventures and 7
technical centers in 18 countries. Regional headquarters are located in
Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com.