Delphi Strengthens Global Battery Portfolio, Position
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TROY, Mich., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Delphi Corporation (NYSE: DPH) continues to establish itself as one of the world's leading providers of batteries through its advanced product lines and its commitment to environmental protection.
(Photo: newscom.com )
Delphi sells batteries in 62 countries. With 11 manufacturing sites and four engineering and product development centers worldwide, Delphi produces batteries for various industries, including the OE and aftermarket automotive, heavy-duty, farm and commercial vehicle, marine, motorcycle and recreational vehicles. At the same time, Delphi is developing new energy storage technologies that will improve vehicle performance in all markets.
To affirm its commitment to the environment, Delphi officials announced today that eight of its 11 battery facilities already have earned ISO-14001 certification, and that all of its battery facilities are expected to be compliant by the end of the year.
ISO-14001 is a series of international management standards designed to help each site maintain its environmental performance through the establishment of common practices, procedures and resources. Each site is audited annually by an independent organization to ensure that each respective site is following documented procedures to maintain the ISO-14001 certification.
``Our organization is structured to deliver a wide range of solutions to our customers,'' said Pankaj Dhingra, business line executive for Delphi's batteries. ``Some customers want a very simple, cost-effective solution. Others need more advanced energy storage solutions for future programs. And all of our customers are concerned about recycling and protecting the environments. Our products and our facilities are designed to deliver those needs to our customers in a way that almost no one else can.''
Delphi engineers continue to incorporate design improvements and develop new technologies to provide longer lasting, more durable batteries that meet the needs of increasingly sophisticated automotive electrical systems, and non-automotive needs.
An overview of Delphi's battery portfolio includes the following:
FUTURE PRODUCTS
14/42-Volt Systems - Increased power demands on vehicle electrical systems, in addition to the industry's need to improve fuel economy and emissions, are making current 12/14-volt electrical systems inadequate. Delphi has developed a 14/42-volt system that can enable new technologies that previously would have been impractical or impossible to use in a vehicle. Higher voltages will enable the use of by-wire technologies, ride control systems, electromagnetic valve trains, integrated starter/generators, thinner and lighter wiring and cables and smaller semiconductors. Already developed, many OEMs have seen Delphi's 14/42-volt system demonstrated on a test-vehicle.
Lithium Polymer Battery - Delphi has developed a new lithium polymer battery. This battery offers outstanding performance for power and energy density. It utilizes an environmentally friendly combination of polymer materials, lithium alloys and organic solvents to produce a highly efficient battery system. Delphi's Lithium Battery System has achieved specific power greater than 1400 watts/kg and specific energy greater than 47 watt-hours/kg. This battery technology delivers high power over a wide range of battery states of charge and temperatures. Operating temperature is from -40 degrees to 70 degrees Celsius. Delphi's Lithium Battery System will enable practical hybrid vehicle solutions by providing space-effective battery systems, able to be packaged in conventional vehicle layouts. The superior charge and discharge efficiency will enable high rates of regenerative brake energy recovery without large power conversion losses.
``Eventually, we will be at a point in which the traditional lead-acid battery won't be enough to power the vehicles of the world,'' said David Kessler, chief engineer, batteries, Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems. ``When that happens, Delphi will be ready with systems like our 14/42-Volt and Lithium Polymer Batteries. We have intense interest in these advancements from OEMs around the globe.''
CURRENT PRODUCTS
Delphi Freedom® Extra Battery - The absorbent glass mat (AGM) battery is gas-recombinant, meaning the gasses produced when the battery is charging recombine in a sealed setting to create water (H2O). Absorbent glass mat separators trap the gasses where the recombination occurs. Delphi's AGM battery is maintenance-free and spill-proof, providing packaging flexibility to mount the battery in any orientation. This provides new opportunities for vehicle designers to position the battery in various locations in the vehicle. This battery is currently in production for both OEM and aftermarket applications.
Delphi Freedom® Battery - The Delphi Freedom Battery is a maintenance-free lead-calcium design available in top post, side terminal and dual terminal configurations. The wrought lead-calcium grid design provides excellent current conductivity and resists damage from overcharging, heat, thermal runaway and vibration. The Delphi Freedom Battery performs four key functions to meet various electrical system requirements: it supplies electrical energy for the accessories when the engine is not running and it supplies energy to the cranking motor and ignition system or glow plugs as the engine is started. The battery also intermittently supplies current for accessories when energy demand is greater than generator output and it acts as a voltage stabilizer in the electrical system. Many different versions of the Delphi Freedom Battery are available to both OE and aftermarket customers.
Delphi® Freedom® Heavy-Duty Battery - Delphi Freedom Heavy-Duty Battery is designed to withstand the punishment of commercial vehicle applications. Also a lead-calcium design, the battery resists corrosion, overcharging, gassing, water usage, self-discharge and thermal runaway. With center cast-on plate straps and anchored plates, they offer excellent resistance to vibration damage.
DURABILITY
In a 2000-2001 longevity study conducted by an independent laboratory, which tested more than 5,000 batteries from seven geographic regions, Delphi Freedom batteries outlasted average competitors by 30 percent, and surpassed the top competitor brand by 10 percent.
QUALITY
In the first quarter of this year alone, Delphi has earned three quality awards from OEM customers for its battery quality. Last month, both New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America (TMMNA) honored Delphi with Excellence Awards, their highest supplier honor. Delphi earned the award for 100 percent on-time delivery and zero parts per million (PPM) quality defects. Delphi's Anaheim, Calif., facility supplies batteries for the Corolla and the Prizm.
Delphi also earned recognition from Honda de Mexico for being ``Best Supplier of the Year'' for making 100-percent on-time deliveries and zero PPM, both with a product price within Honda's strategic goals. Delphi provides Honda de Mexico batteries from its Tlaxacala, Mexico, facility.
For more information about Delphi, please visit Delphi's Virtual Press Room at delphi.com .
SOURCE: Delphi Corporation |
