Released on January 26, 2009

Delphi Corp., Troy, Mich., provided a diecast steering column for the new 2009 Ford F-150 that the company said recently helped the truck become America’s safest full-size pickup.

According to a press release issued by Delphi, the mobile electronics and transportation systems supplier worked closely with Ford Motor Co. to develop a magnesium diecast steering column that is integrated with the instrument and knee panels to provide better energy absorption and driver protection in a crash.

The 2009 F-150 is the only full-size pickup to earn full 5-star government crash-test safety ratings and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Safety Pick” award.

“Based on our success with the previous F-150, we were invited at the very beginning of the design process to work with Ford on the column for the new generation pickup,” said Rick Nash, Delphi’s chief engineer for steering columns. “This project provided a great opportunity to advance steering technology, optimize the steering column's role in the F-150’s safety performance, enhance adjustability for driver comfort, and integrate the cast-magnesium technology to reduce weight.”

According to the Delphi press release, the new steering column’s diecast magnesium design offered both light weight and simplicity, eliminating the need for brackets to be welded or bolted on, a common process for traditional columns.

“This is the most magnesium-intensive column Delphi has created to date,” Nash said. “The savings in manufacturing time makes magnesium a cost-effective alternative to steel, and is lighter than both steel and aluminum.”

Delphi supplies steering columns for a number of other Ford vehicles that have earned 5-star crash ratings. The company has approximately 155,000 employees and operates 148 manufacturing sites in 35 countries with 2007 sales of $22.3 billion.