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Delphi Scientist Receives SPE Honor DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE LOGO Delphi Automotive Systems Wordmark. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] TROY, MI USA 10/19/2000    

10 November 2000

Delphi Scientist Receives SPE Honor DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE LOGO Delphi Automotive Systems Wordmark. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] TROY, MI USA 10/19/2000     
    Awards Given to Innovative Plastic Designs - Delphi with Six Nominations

    WARREN, Mich., Nov. 10 A Delphi Automotive Systems
scientist, Suresh Shah, Ph.D., was honored last night by the
International Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Division for his
service and contribution as 1999-2000 SPE chairman.  Shah's recognition took
place during the SPE's annual awards program, the most prestigious and largest
engineering recognition event in the plastics industry, which was held at Cobo
Hall in Detroit.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001019/DELPHIAS )
    Shah holds 16 U.S. patents and 24 invention disclosures and has published
more than 50 technical papers.  He was named to "Who's Who in Plastics," has
been inducted into Delphi's Innovation Hall of Fame, and received a General
Motors President's Council Honor.  Shah also has been nominated as an SPE
Fellow of the Society.
    Most notably, Shah and his team introduced gas injection-molding
technology to General Motors in 1991.  This process helped to set the industry
trend for molding technology for many automotive applications in the United
States.
    Shah also led the development of the innovative Super Plug(TM) door
module, which is protected by three patents and has received six prestigious
design and product awards for its revolutionary concept of modularization.  In
1995, after six years of co-development, Delphi and GE Plastics launched Super
Plug(TM).
    "Dr. Shah has been an outstanding technology leader for Delphi," said
James A. Bertrand, vice president of Delphi Automotive Systems and president
of Delphi Interior Systems.  "His advanced plastics technology developments
have significantly enhanced Delphi's manufacturing performance and contributed
to Delphi's unique interior design capability.  He exemplifies Delphi's
commitment to technology leadership, customer satisfaction and community
service."
    During the event, awards were presented to OEMs with Tier 1, material,
part and tooling suppliers all recognized for their innovative use of
plastics.  Delphi was nominated for six awards in three categories. Delphi
nominations were:

    Chassis/Hardware/Powertrain category:
    *  Delphi's Hybrid Door Module -- This module integrates the molded
plastic platform to the rolled-section steel beam, increasing door rigidity,
providing mass savings of 25 percent, improving the load-carrying capacity of
the door.

    Environmental category:
    *  Delphi's Instrument Panel with 100 Percent Recycled TPO Skin -- Delphi
applied its unique thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) skin technology to both the
upper and lower instrument panels of the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville.  The
material is 100 percent recyclable both in the manufacturing stage and at the
end of the vehicle lifecycle.

    Body Interior category:
    *  Snap-On Steering Column Shrouds -- An industry first, Delphi's new
Snap-On Steering Column Shroud integrates attachment snaps, thereby
eliminating the traditional screws used to secure a shroud to the column.
    *  Instrument Panel Active Upper Hidden Airbag System -- This system
provides a seamless passenger side inflatable restraint system.  Warranty
costs are improved due to the elimination of a separate airbag door.
    *  Instrument Panel Glove Box System -- This system includes a glove box
and instrument panel retainer that together help manage the passenger occupant
energy during a frontal crash event.
    *  One-Piece Glove Box Door -- This application uses a single injection-
molded glove-box door outer panel with staggered integral ribs to replace an
inner reinforcement.  This special design was implemented to eliminate
cosmetic issues as well as provide cost and mass savings.

    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 184 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 44 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices, and 31 technical centers in
40 countries. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .