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Delphi Earns Fiat Qualitas Award For HVAC Modules

21 December 1999

Delphi Automotive Systems Earns Fiat Qualitas Award For HVAC Modules Provided to Alfa Romeo 156

    LOCKPORT, N.Y., Dec. 21 -- Delphi Automotive Systems
has received high honors from Fiat Auto SpA for its role in
supplying heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) modules to Alfa
Romeo, part of the Fiat Group.
    Delphi's Harrison Thermal division has been awarded the Fiat Qualitas
Award, recognizing the thermal management specialist's support of the Alfa
Romeo 156.  The award was accepted by Carlo Beccuti, Delphi Italy customer
director, at a recent ceremony hosted by Fiat in Torino, Italy.
    Introduced at the beginning of the decade, the Fiat Qualitas Award is
given annually to the automaker's best suppliers for a given product line,
recognizing those companies for their contribution to improving vehicle
quality.  Criteria include, but are not limited to, supplier quality, service,
engineering support and value.
    Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems has been supplying HVAC modules for the
Alfa Romeo 156 since it debuted in 1997.  All modules are assembled by Delphi
Diavia, the company's operation in Molinella, Italy.
    "We are proud of this distinction, and the key role we have played in
making the Alfa Romeo 156 a great success throughout Europe," said F. Timothy
Richards, Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems director of European operations.
"This award confirms our commitment to providing Fiat with exemplary product
and service support, and we will continue to work to ensure that same level of
satisfaction for the Fiat Group."
    Delphi's commitment to the success of the Alfa 156 was clear from the
vehicle's launch, with a production line established at its Molinella plant in
full compliance with the Delphi Manufacturing System.  Also, Delphi
established workgroups at Alfa Romeo, with employees present during the
production of the vehicle as well as in the technical management and
technical/quality service areas.  Those factors, along with the development of
a highly advanced, electronically controlled HVAC unit, have allowed Delphi to
contribute significantly to the Alfa Romeo 156's strong showing in Europe,
Richards said.
    The 156 has earned numerous industry accolades, including the 1998
European Car of the Year Award, as judged by more than 50 motoring journalists
from nearly two dozen European countries.  (It was the third car in four years
produced by the Fiat Group to win that honor.)
    "Our employees in Italy are truly focused on the concepts and methods of
world class manufacturing," Beccuti said.  "Fiat's recognition of this
excellence illustrates how a supplier can make great things happen for the
customer when they're provided with the very best in quality, cost, service
and technology."
    Designed, tested and validated by engineers in Molinella and at Delphi's
Technical Centre in Luxembourg, the 156's HVAC system is managed by electronic
control, allowing for precise and prompt temperature control response.  The
electronic system controls the air conditioning compressor and the
recirculation of air through the vehicle's cabin.
    The Automatic Temperature Control software, from design to calibration and
road-testing, was fully developed at Delphi Diavia's Electronic Division in
Milan, Italy.  It works in collaboration with Delphi Delco Electronics Systems
to design and supply key electronic componentry to support the system.
    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 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 27 technical centers in
37 countries.  Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao
Paulo, Brazil.  Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com .