Delphi wins second E-Steer contract

FRANKFURT, Germany (Sept. 5)—Delphi Automotive Systems Corp.'s supply of "E-Steer" electronic steering units to Fiat S.p.A. has surpassed the million unit mark, and the company has gained a second supply contract, for Volkswagen A.G.'s Lupo minicar. E-Steer uses electronic motors for steering, replacing the pumps, hoses, hydraulic fluid, drive belts and pulleys associated with traditional steering systems, Delphi said. The system can yield fuel economy gains of up to 4 percent, Delphi claims, based on the elimination of parasitic energy losses associated with pulley drag. Fiat has used E-Steer on its Punto subcompact since 1999.