Delphi Energy-Absorbing Steering Column Featured on Ford F-150

Delphi steering column expertise helps 2004 Ford F-150 to meet FMVSS 208 requirements and earn top crash ratings

TROY, Mich., March 11 -- Delphi Corp. provides steering columns with energy-absorbing technology for the 2004 Ford F-150 -- Motor Trend Magazine's 2004 Truck of the Year. Delphi worked closely with Ford safety engineers to integrate the energy absorbing system using an axiomatic approach, which separates the design into three segments. Each energy absorbing subsystem -- the release feature, energy absorption and guidance system -- were independently tuned. This innovative approach allowed accelerated implementation and precise tuning to meet Ford's requirements.

"Delphi's expertise in occupant protection and electrical subsystems integration plays a key role in our ability to meet our customers' steering column requirements," said Robert J. Remenar, president of Delphi Steering and vice president of Delphi Corp. "This knowledge, coupled with over four decades of experience and leading-edge column technology, enabled Delphi to deliver a system to Ford that helped them achieve their targets and high marks in crashworthiness."

The steering column is the most common source of serious injury for drivers involved in frontal crashes according to NHTSA's "Evaluation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for Passenger Car Steering Assemblies." Energy-absorbing steering columns were installed in passenger cars in response to FMVSS 203 regulation. They are designed to compress at a controlled rate, helping to cushion the impact of the driver's chest in frontal crashes.

Recent FMVSS 208 legislation goes a step further by requiring protection for both smaller 5th percentile female drivers and larger 50th percentile male drivers in conditions with and without seat belts. Delphi's axiomatic approach described above allows the energy-absorbing strap to be tuned as part of the vehicle system for a wide range of driver sizes.

"We are very pleased that Ford has once again chosen Delphi to supply its state-of-the-art steering columns," said Dan Crishon, business line executive, steering columns and intermediate shafts. "Delphi is the leader in occupant safety technology and our advanced steering systems allow us to help provide maximum safety and peace of mind for the driver."