Delphi says performance improvements in the internal combustion engine will see the traditional powertrain remain a powerful tool for some considerable time.
Manufacturers are continuing to squeeze more miles per gallon from existing technology, that allows Tier One suppliers such as Delphi the opportunity to provide high-tech options.
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“The internal combustion engine, whether it is gasoline or diesel, is going to be around for a long time,” Delphi executive director and chief technologist Andrew Brown told just-auto at the supplier’s world headquarters near Detroit.
“From a value proposition, the consumer sees a few more miles per gallon of the traditional engine – it also gives the industry time to improve some of the existing technologies. Delphi has a comprehensive enough portfolio to offer technology options for whatever strategy the OEM wants to employ.”
Brown added the current focus on availability of oil and the reduction in greenhouse gases was “universal,” while emerging markets were equally interested in adding safety equipment to value proposition vehicles.
“Emerging markets, India for instance, where they introduced low-cost vehicles, now they are upgrading the requirements,” said Brown. “Even people who bought these vehicles want better, additional safety items.”
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By GlobalDataHowever, despite the desire for increased specification, Brown maintained the consumer would only seek it if they deemed the value proposition to be worth it, while OEMs would drive development if they it thought it necessary to comply with government regulations.
Despite the continued presence of the ICE for the foreseeable future, Brown added Delphi was active in the electric vehicle sector, with the US accounting for more HEVs than most other parts of the world.
The Delphi chief technologist said the key to EV development would be reducing cost of battery know-how, with the US Department of Energy having a stated goal to cut the price of battery technology from US$800-US$900 per kilowatt hour to below US$400.
“It is going to take some additional effort to do that,” said Brown, who noted China was investing heavily in the field.
“China has already committed itself to vehicle electrification,” he said. “They are investing very significantly in utility plants and infrastructure to be able to base their transportation on EVs.
“They are having some challenges, but they made that decision.”
