Delphi Captures New Technology Business With BMW

Autoparts Report, Oct 3, 2002

Delphi Corp. has won business on the new BMW Z4 and additional business on the latest version of the BMW 7-Series. Future growth with BMW is expected to be strong, building on confirmed business wins for future models and the success of co-development programs in which the two companies are working to validate revolutionary new technologies.

"We are seeing steady growth with BMW and expect this trend to accelerate as we move towards implementation of some of the advanced technologies we are working on together," says Delphi's customer director for BMW, Guenter Eichert. "In addition to the Z4 and latest 7-Series, we have substantial business wins on three future models and are confident that our co-development programs will lead to additional very exciting business in new areas of high-technology."

The co-development programs allow BMW and Delphi to develop and validate innovative new technologies before they are integrated with future vehicle designs. This shortens vehicle engineering timescales and provides accurate information in critical areas such as engineering resource requirements, timescales and manufacturing planning.

Co-development programs with BMW as previously announced include solid oxide fuel cell to generate electricity more efficiently and By-Wire systems.

Delphi content on the new Z4 includes the modular reservoir assembly as part of the fuel handling system, a short-range radar for intrusion protection and body electronics. Delphi's content on the 7-Series includes sensors and controllers for occupant protection safety, various reception systems, and an ultrasonic sensor for intrusion protection. Delphi is also supplying some of the interface technologies in the 7-Series, including the switch and module functions for the front and rear seats; an audio unit packaged in the rear armrest with connections for headphones and volume adjustment switches; and a remote control unit stored in the dash that operates the vehicle's integrated cellular telephone.