Delphi and BMW Announce Development of Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit
biz.yahoo.com
Monday April 26, 10:20 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
MUNICH, Germany, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Delphi Automotive Systems (NYSE: DPH - news) and BMW announced today that
they have signed a development agreement to produce vehicles that use a solid-oxide fuel cell as an auxiliary power unit and that have the
potential of being clean, high-power-generation vehicles.
Under the development agreement, BMW and Delphi are jointly developing a fuel cell system that will be used as an auxiliary power unit
for gasoline engines. This will allow BMW to offer more features more efficiently with the potential to reduce the emissions of an
internal combustion engine.
Delphi will develop the fuel cell system and BMW will integrate the unit into a vehicle.
The solid-oxide fuel cell unit will provide more energy into the vehicle to enhance the electrical systems. Delphi and BMW plan to
produce the solid oxide fuel cell unit in the near future.
During the signing ceremony held today at BMW's technical center in Munich, Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart, BMW board member, responsible
for development and purchasing at BMW, said: ''For the production development of the solid-oxide fuel cell system, BMW has selected
a very strong partner -- Delphi. Delphi, the world's largest automotive supplier, is also committed to the quick implementation of this
technology.''
Representing Delphi at the ceremony, Jose Maria Alapont, executive director of international operations for Delphi Energy and Engine
Management Systems, said, ''This project has worldwide application and offers the possibility for vehicle manufacturers to use fuel cell
technology not only as a propulsion system but also as an auxiliary power unit.''
''The solid-oxide fuel cell unit has the ability to increase the electric power within a vehicle to offer more features in the most efficient
way. Additionally, it provides tremendous potential to reduce the emissions of the internal combustion engine,'' Alapont said.
''BMW has extensive knowledge in hydrogen powertrains. That expertise, coupled with Delphi's demonstrated abilities in fuel cell
systems, will provide the partnership with a definite advantage in developing and producing this industry leading technology,'' he added.
''The signing of this development agreement strengthens an already positive relationship between BMW and Delphi. Delphi currently
supplies vehicle energy, evaporative emissions control, chassis, electronics and wiring systems,'' Alapont said.
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a world leader in automotive component and systems
technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics &
Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive product solutions for complex customer needs. Delphi has more than 195,000
employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 38 joint ventures and 27 technical centers in 36 countries. Delphi Europe
has more than 38,000 employees and operates 65 manufacturing sites, 7 joint ventures and 7 technical centers in 18 countries. Regional
headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Delphi can be found on the Internet at delphiauto.com.
SOURCE: Delphi Automotive Systems |
