Delphi and its world-class facilities

THE AUTOMOTIVE world has witnessed a sea change in vehicle development and production in the last two decades. Today the automobile manufacturing companies do not have to deploy expensive resources and time in developing all the components of a car themselves but give the specifications and/or the requirements to specialists and their job is done.

In the good old days a car manufacturer had to go through the rigours of designing, developing, testing and after the vehicle development wait for customers' reaction to the product. Today companies like Delphi provide design, development and testing support to car manufacturers and are able to provide a custom- made module or component, fully tried, tested and extensively validated in simulated and real life conditions, of a quality that has no scope for rejection.

Delphi Automotive Systems Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of the U.S.-based parent company, has been operating in India since 1995. It has set up four world-class manufacturing facilities in the country. Using a large indigenous supplier base and the latest manufacturing, quality and technical standards, the company manufactures products that are of global standards and the best in their class.

Delphi Energy and Chassis Systems Gurgaon, Haryana, manufactures catalytic converters and evaporative canisters. Delphi Packard Electric Systems, Gurgaon, manufactures wiring harnesses; Delphi Energy and Chassis Systems and Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems (co-located) Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, manufacture HVAC (heating, ventilating, and airconditioning) systems, brazed aluminium heat exchangers Also gas and hydraulic shock absorbers and front corner modules, half shafts, energy absorbing steering columns. Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, Jigani, Bangalore, turns out steering systems.

To meet the increasing demand for vehicle software, Delphi Automotive Systems has recently established a software technical centre at the International Technology Park in Bangalore. The recent rapid increase in demand for mobile multimedia products in vehicles has dramatically increased the need for vehicle software engineering and development. Initially, the centre will develop microprocessor software used in embedded controls of electronic systems such as engine and powertrain controllers, antilock brakes, radios, instrument clusters and air control systems and will progressively diversify its offerings.

Delphi, a multinational in automotive systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., U.S., Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a leader in mobile electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Its three business sectors - dynamics and propulsion; safety, thermal and electrical architecture; and electronics and mobile communication - provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs.

It has also targeted the end-consumer by entering the replacement market in India and is now offering OEM quality components produced in India to the replacement parts market through a select group of distributors. The current products available for the aftermarket include struts, half shafts, shock absorbers and air-conditioning components.

Delphi, an erstwhile subsidiary of General Motor Corporation, is supplying units and kits to the automobile manufacturers and its key customers list in India includes automotive giants such as Maruti Udyog, General Motors India, Daewoo Motors India, Fiat, Hindustan Motors, Volvo and Telco.

Delphi Automotive Systems, India, has attained the ISO 14001 certification for its energy and chassis systems operations at Gurgaon near Delhi. The plant is the largest catalytic converter and evaporative canister manufacturing facility in the country. This is the second Delphi plant, after its Saginaw Steering Systems plant to receive the prestigious ISO certification.

Delphi offers a wide variety of current and future 'green' products and systems that help improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and effects of global warming. In India too Delphi is leading in the development of emissions related technology and products.

The Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems group provides the most comprehensive power-train management and chassis systems portfolio for the automotive industry. These systems are deployed in vehicles for energy management, storage, conversion, management of air and fuel flow into an engine, optimising the combustion process and controlling emissions.

It also offers state-of-the-art traction control systems and vehicle stability enhancement packages such as the TRAXXAR. Extensive design testing and validation, manufacturing capability and service and spares back up provide solutions for these high quality vehicle process and throughput systems.

Tutu Dhawan

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