Delphi Named Industry's Best Electronics Supplier
16 August 2000
Delphi Also Earns Most Recognition of Any Supplier In Automotive Industries' 'Quest for Excellence' Awards Program
TROY, Mich. - Delphi Automotive Systems is the industry's best electronics
supplier, according to a vote of nearly 1,300 representatives from automakers
and auto suppliers.
The poll was taken by Automotive Industries magazine's third annual "Quest
for Excellence" awards program. In that poll, Delphi also earned the most
recognition of any supplier, garnering seven citations for excellence in three
separate categories. Delphi executives will accept the awards during a
ceremony tonight in Detroit.
The "Quest for Excellence" awards consist of 23 different categories and
recognize automotive suppliers for high performance in five areas: price,
quality, delivery, service/response and innovation. Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) and automotive suppliers were eligible to vote, with
nearly 1,300 votes cast this year.
"Providing customers with high-quality, innovative, cost-effective
products and reliable, top-shelf service is the core of Delphi's business
practices," said J. T. Battenberg III, chairman, chief executive officer and
president of Delphi. "We're truly honored to receive this recognition from
our customers and peers, which lets us know we're meeting and exceeding their
complex and ever-changing needs.
"We are also especially pleased to have been recognized as the industry's
best electronics supplier," said Battenberg. "Electronics are driving
innovation, and our expertise and portfolio will really help our customers
distinguish their programs in the marketplace."
Some of Delphi's electronics innovations include:
* Communiport(R) Infotainment PC (near-term) -- Powered by Microsoft
Windows CE(R) operating system, Infotainment PC is the first mobile
multimedia operating computing platform to be featured in vehicles. In
addition to premium audio, Infotainment PC offers navigation, e-mail,
web browsing, voice memo, hands-free cell phone, voice recognition and
text to speech technologies. The technology will be available on the
2001 Cadillac DeVille and Seville.
* Forewarn(R) Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (current) -- A radar or
laser-sensing technology that helps ensure a safe distance is
maintained between vehicles during cruise control operation, even in
the most congested traffic. Delphi's Forewarn ACC is currently
available on the Jaguar XKR offered in Europe.
* Power Products (current) -- Products include "hands-free" power sliding
doors with remote activation; hatch and liftgates with automatic power
opening and closing; rear compartment lids with automatic opening and
closing; and sliding glass for electronic opening and closing of rear
panels on pickup trucks. A dropping glass feature is also available on
the power sliding door for minivans. Designed to give consumers a new
level of convenience and safety, these products are easily incorporated
into any vehicle's design to enhance its marketability.
Voters also recognized Delphi for excellence in the "chassis & suspension"
and "electrical systems" supplier categories. Delphi's chassis & suspension
portfolio strengths include:
* Traxxar(TM) (current) -- The first North American intelligent chassis
control system that enhances vehicle control and handling. This
innovation can selectively release or apply braking pressure to assist
the driver in a potential skid situation. Delphi's Traxxar improves
stability and directional control on snowy, icy or rough roads and
during turns and emergency stops. First brought to market as
StabiliTrak on selected 1997 Cadillacs, the technology is now available
on several General Motors vehicles sold in North America.
* E-STEER(TM) (current) -- The market's first full-performance electric
power steering system. This industry award-winning system increases
fuel economy up to 5 percent, improves acceleration and adds safety
with power steering even during an engine stall. E-STEER is powered by
electricity from a brushless motor instead of traditional hydraulics.
There are no pumps, hoses, hydraulic fluid, drive belts or pulleys,
making E-STEER environmentally friendly as well. The system also comes
with an optional dashboard switch that gives the driver the control and
convenience to choose two levels of steering assist -- more assist for
city driving, and less assist for highway driving. E-STEER is
available on the Fiat SpA Punto in Europe.
* Dynamic Body Control Systems (current) -- Provides improved steering
control and handling during cornering, high-speed maneuvers and off-
road driving. The technology is currently available on the 2000 model
year Land Rover Discovery.
* QUADRASTEER(TM) Four Wheel Steering (near-term) -- A unique, four-wheel
steering system designed for full-size vehicles, including long-bed and
extended cab pickup trucks, vans and sport-utility vehicles.
QUADRASTEER gives full-size vehicles the turning radius and
maneuverability of smaller vehicles, dramatically improving stability,
handling and control at higher speeds for a more comfortable and safer
driving experience.
* MagneRide(TM) Ride Control System (near term) -- A high-performance,
semi-active suspension control system that reduces stopping distances;
provides improved vehicle stability during braking; minimizes vehicle
motion; and, improves wheel control and road isolation for a flatter,
quieter and safer ride. Delphi's MagneRide will be available on the
2002 Cadillac Seville.
Delphi's Electrical Systems capabilities include:
* Batteries (current) -- Delphi has a long history of producing batteries
for automotive, marine and other transportation uses, as well as
batteries for standby power and other stationary purposes. Delphi's
extensive automotive product portfolio includes the Freedom(TM)
battery, the Freedom Standard(TM) battery and the Freedom Extra(TM)
battery.
* Dual-Voltage and 42-Volt Systems Electrical Architectures (near-term)
-- Delphi's dual-voltage and 42-volt electrical systems architectures
respond to the industry's need for increased electrical power to
support new customer features, as well as improve fuel economy and
emissions. The dual- and higher-voltage systems enable more effective
use of "by wire" technologies, ride control systems, electromagnetic
valve trains and integrated starter/generators. These higher-voltage
systems utilize smaller cables and connection systems, which can reduce
packaging size as well as reduce mass of the power and signal
distribution system. Dual-voltage and 42-volt systems also allow for
more powerful motor-based systems, making these systems practical in
larger cars and trucks.
* Energen(TM) Systems (near-term) -- Energen(TM) systems enable the
availability of additional electrical power on-board the vehicle.
Through the use of an electric generator in combination with the
internal combustion engine, Energen systems offer improved fuel economy
and reduced emissions, while providing significantly increased electric
power. An Energen 10 system electrically assists the powertrain by
featuring an integrated motor and generator with a multiple-voltage
battery system and electronics. The benefits include a quieter engine
start, as well as the efficiency and increased functionality of more
electronic and electrically powered features on the vehicle.
* Integrated Vehicle Electrical/Electronics Systems (IVEES) (near term)
-- A visionary concept in E/E architecture that will help dramatically
reduce components and equip future cars and trucks for the "electronics
explosion" currently happening in the auto industry. IVEES will
ultimately link all of a vehicle's electrical and electronic subsystems
into one coordinated, optimized network. The system will provide full
E/E optimization by integrating high-speed optical data links,
networked controllers, integrated loads, smart sensors and actuators,
and smart connectors.
The "Quest for Excellence" winners were also featured in the July issue of
Automotive Industries magazine.
Automotive Industries is a monthly magazine (circ.104,000) that covers the
automotive engineering, design and manufacturing field, consisting of the
manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks and buses, construction equipment,
tractors and agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles, parts, accessories
and components, engines, and other vehicle manufacturing.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA; Paris; Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 216,000
employees and operates 179 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 31 technical centers in 39
countries.