---

Delphi's Presence in Japan Contributes to Global Strength of Toyota Avalon

19 October 1999

Delphi's Presence in Japan Contributes to Global Strength of Toyota Avalon

    TROY, Mich., Oct. 19 -- Delphi Automotive Systems
local presence in Japan has helped Toyota Motor Corporation achieve a global
breakthrough with its 2000 Avalon program.
    The all-new Avalon sedan, which arrived in North American showrooms on
Oct. 1, represents the first time a Japanese chief engineer from Toyota Motor
Corporation and an American chief engineer from Toyota Technical Center
(Toyota's U.S. automotive research and development headquarters) have
collaborated on a Toyota vehicle to be built in North America.  This unique
partnership opens many doors for future collaboration on Toyota projects on
both sides of the ocean.
    Delphi's emerging presence in the Asia-Pacific allowed the company to
support Toyota's Avalon work in the United States and Japan.  In Japan, Delphi
employed its technical resources and personnel at its Technical Center Tokyo
in Akishima and its customer center in Toyoda City.  In the United States,
Delphi used several technical centers based in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
    "We are extremely proud to be able to support Toyota with this
groundbreaking program," said Delphi Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President J.T. Battenberg III.  "Our support here really demonstrates a key
strength of Delphi, which is to use our global resources to help our customers
grow into new markets."
    Delphi's three major technology contributions to the Avalon include:
    Seat-mounted side airbag.  Delphi's Airbag System on the 2000 Avalon is
stored in and deploys from the seat system.  It is designed to provide
enhanced occupant protection for the torso in a side impact collision.
The system, which represents Delphi's first high-volume occupant protection
business with Toyota, is the result of co-development between Delphi and
Toyota engineers.  The development work took place on two continents, Asia and
North America.
    High-performance RDS (Radio Data Systems) Radio.  Delphi's RDS radio
receiver allows the Avalon to receive and decode broadcast information signals
along with regular radio programming.
    The technology allows broadcasters to deliver a second stream of data with
the audio content, providing the drivers with a variety of capabilities,
including:  seeing the call letters of the station (i.e., WJR, WWJ); tuning by
program (i.e., top 40, jazz); viewing specific program descriptions such as
personality name (i.e., Paul Harvey); and much more.
    Steering column.  Delphi is also supplying a lightweight magnesium jacket
steering column that offers ease of assembly and reduced vehicle mass.
    Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a
world leader in automotive component and systems technology and the leader in
automotive interiors.  Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics &
Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics &
Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive product solutions to complex
customer needs.  Delphi has approximately 201,000 employees and operates 168
wholly owned manufacturing sites, 38 joint ventures, 51 customer centers and
sales offices, and 28 technical centers in 37 countries.  Regional
headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.  Delphi can be found
on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .