Awaking an Automotive Giant, July 2002 Delphi information
With potentially the largest automotive market in the world, China seems destined to be a major player in the automotive industry. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Chinese auto sales are expected to increase 15 percent in 2002, exceeding 2.7 million units and moving China up to the fourth largest market in the world. China's admission into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 will no doubt spark further growth. With its technological expertise and experience in environmental protection, Delphi is ready to help the Chinese automotive industry continue its rapid development.
An International Playing Field
China's entry into the WTO propelled the world's most populous nation into a new era filled with economic challenges and opportunities. As with every industry in China, the automotive industry will have to evolve in order to remain competitive with international rivals. As a leader in technological development, Delphi can help smooth the transition, Delphi Director of Engineering Dr. Andrew Brown, Jr. told a gathering of engineers and journalists organized by the China Society of Automotive Engineers in Beijing in June.
"Only through active participation in the international arena can China's automotive industry develop further and gain world-class technology and expertise," said Brown, the keynote speaker at the symposium on Advanced Automotive Powerplants and Energy Resources. "At Delphi, we believe we can continue to develop excellent customer relations in China and supply high quality products in the new business environment to help China's automotive industry grow."
Sharing Knowledge
Chinese manufacturers have learned quickly from joint venture operations such as Shanghai GM and Shanghai Volkswagen. Already several are implementing lean manufacturing techniques as well as developing their own design capabilities. However, the industry remains segmented, with 120 automakers in China. About 92 percent of the vehicle output was spread among 13 automakers.
"To be competitive, China must consolidate the industry to achieve economies of scale," Brown said. "And new government regulations encouraging the purchase of vehicles by individuals will help stimulate further development of China's automotive industry. Efforts should also be focused on the areas of automotive safety, environmental protection, and transportation system management."
Delphi is in a position to provide help to the Chinese automotive industry in those areas with the development of advanced energy systems, << solid oxide fuel cells >>, integrated safety systems, and a range of high-tech electronic systems.
Investing in the Future
With the lowering of trade barriers, the Chinese automotive industry will no doubt face strong overseas competition, especially in terms of technology. Brown is encouraging Chinese manufacturers to create an industry based on advanced technologies, large-scale operation, and expertise similar to South Korea. That will provide new challenges and opportunities for Delphi.
As the most diversified automotive components supplier in the world, Delphi offers products and solutions to many leading OEMs around the world. Delphi is committed to international market expansion. In China, Delphi employs more than 7,000 people and has set up a comprehensive network of automotive component suppliers and manufacturers headquartered in Pudong, Shanghai. Delphi's two wholly-owned operations, nine joint-venture operations, and eight licensing manufacturing initiatives there are proving to be mutually beneficial. Since beginning to invest in China in the mid-1990s, Delphi has maintained double-digit growth, and 2001 sales were up 30 percent over 2001. Delphi also maintains four Chinese customer service centers, located in Beijing, Changchun, and Shanghai (Anting and Pudong), as well as a joint institute with Tsinghua University.
"China is in a strong position to strengthen its automotive industry," Brown said. "As its automotive industry becomes more open and regional protectionism is reduced with reduced tariffs, the auto parts industry will also be able to grow. I believe China's automotive industry will soon be a major player in the automotive industry, and Delphi is looking forward to playing a role in that development."
Delphi, Volkswagen, and Tsinghua University co-organized the China SAE symposium. Automotive experts from Volkswagen, General Motors, PSA Peugeot, Citroen, Toyota, and Bosch also spoke.
delphi.com
Background information from
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers report
Wednesday, 22 December 1999
Toronto
Delphi Automotive Systems Corp., Troy, Mich., and Global Thermoelectric Inc., Calgary, Alta., said they had successfully tested an integrated solid-oxide fuel cell and gasoline reformer. When the reformed gas is fed into the cell to create power, the chief byproduct is water. The fuel cell is to be used to propel environmentally friendly electric vehicles.
spectrum.ieee.org
U.S. Patent 6,420,064 ... Global Thermoelectric
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United States Patent 6,420,064
Ghosh , et al. July 16, 2002
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Composite electrodes for solid state devices
Abstract
A solid state ionic device includes a dense electrolyte sandwiched between two porous electrodes. In one embodiment, the device is anode supported and the cathode is formed of a porous three-dimensional solid phase structure having an electrocatalytic phase of a plurality of electrocatalytic particles and an ionic conducting phase of a plurality of ionic conductor particles. The mean or median size of the electrocatalytic particles is larger than the mean or median size of the ionic conductor particles. The device may further include a long range electronic conducting layer of lantham cobaltate or other electronically conducting material.
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Inventors: Ghosh; Debabrata (Calgary, CA); Martel; Frank (Calgary, CA); Tang; Zheng (Calgary, CA)
Assignee: Global Thermoelectric Inc. (Calgary, CA)
Appl. No.: 684660
Filed: October 10, 2000
Current U.S. Class: 429/40; 429/30; 429/33; 429/41; 429/42; 204/282; 204/283
Intern'l Class: H01M 004/86
Field of Search:
patft.uspto.gov ... complete patent |
