INDUSTRY NEWSAfter Five Years, Delphi Continues To Diversify
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 31, 2006) — The aftermarket is one of the only industries where you know the future today, says Francisco A. (Frank) Ordoñez, president of Delphi Product & Service Solutions and vice president of Delphi Corp., and that can help our industry when it comes to understanding product technology and having the necessary parts to repair vehicles.
For example, telematics is no longer a technology issue, says Ordoñez, who led Delphi’s press conference during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week.
“That technology is almost on the shelf. The question is how is that business model going to work?” he asks. “Who is going to be the tech support that receives the call, how is that tech support going to interface with the host of garages in the United States, how are we going to link them and who’s going to pay for the $15 to $20 it’s going to take to put something in the vehicle to do the telematics? All are good questions and all are challenges that I throw out to the industry.”
Celebrating its fifth anniversary in the North American aftermarket, Delphi introduced several new product lines at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), diversifying their product categories and coverage.
“Last year we introduced a GM line of reman units, and almost immediately we got the question ‘what about the rest?’ So we now include Chrysler and Ford product lines,” explains Ordoñez.
The new applications in Delphi’s remanufactured engine control module/powertrain control module (ECM/PCM) lineup will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2007, and will include more than 160 part numbers covering Ford and Chrysler light vehicles, model year 1996 to 2004.
The supplier is also moving ahead a technologically expanded oxygen sensor line featuring planar technology sensors, notes David Barbeau, general director, Global Sales & Marketing for Delphi Product & Service Solutions, who also spoke at the press conference.
“This move makes Delphi unique in terms of being the single OE brand name source for 97 percent coverage for planar technology sensors covering applications from 1978 to 2006,” Barbeau states. “Over 60 percent of all new vehicles coming off the assembly line include this technology, and that number will grow. Additionally, 70 percent of vehicles equipped with the older technology can be updated.”
Delphi’s planar sensing elements have an integrated heater, which when combined with smaller size, allows them to heat up more than twice as fast as conical sensors while consuming only one third of the power, according to the company. This is designed to put the engine under fuel control operation quicker and helps save fuel and harmful cold start emissions.
“Our aftermarket customers have asked us to include diesel in our lineup, so starting in March of ’07, Delphi will offer an aftermarket range of OE and all makes diesel replacement parts, including pumps, injectors, filter elements and glow plugs for light and heavy duty truck applications,” says Barbeau.
Staying on track Delphi plans to emerge from its restructuring in 2007, says Ordoñez. “Since we filed for Chapter 11, Delphi has not missed one shipment with any customer in any business segment. Our delivery performance is at record levels in both the aftermarket and original equipment business.”Sharing thoughts on the vehicle electronics revolution, Delphi asks the industry if it is ready to serve the customer of tomorrow. The aftermarket must keep up-to-date on the latest technology in parts, tools and equipment, and Delphi is prepared for the vehicle electronics revolution because its engineers are designing the technologies featured on future cars and trucks, according to the company.
The company adds that the vehicle electronics revolution is continuing, and emissions and fuel economy; safety and security; and entertainment, communications and convenience represent the major areas of growth.
