Auto Talk: Delphi eyes Thailand; wins contracts in Asia

Eager to increase its Asia/Pacific presence, Delphi Automotive Systems reportedly is holding talks in Thailand on establishing a plant near new facilities set up by General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

In the first nine months of the year, Delphi has won $1 billion in new contracts in the region that will show up in company revenues starting in 2001. Only 20% of the projects involve GM, its former parent.

Delphi Chief Executive J.T. Battenberg III says the company's sales could double in Asia by 2003.

The new Asia business includes a five-year, $40 million contract to supply heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems to Maruti Udyog Ltd. in India for its 1L Zen minicar. Supply begins next year from Delphi's Harrison Thermal plant in the Greater Noida District.

Delphi also won contracts worth more than $35 million with automakers in China for two unspecified environmental products.

Meanwhile, Mr. Battenberg says recent restructuring at Nissan Motor Co Ltd. in Japan will provide opportunity for new business - "We've already told them we're interested" - as well as in Korea, where he says hundreds of supplier companies are for sale.