TROY, Mich. — When Delphi introduced its aftermarket SP compressors earlier this year, the product line was developed based on Delphi’s SP technology used by major OEMs worldwide. But Delphi did more than bring OE engineering and design expertise to the aftermarket. It applied the same stringent validation, testing and manufacturing processes it does to every component it produces, the company says.
"Whether it’s engineered and designed for OE production or an aftermarket application, every Delphi part must adhere to the company’s global technical requirements," said Mark Shasteen, vice president, global service and engineering, Delphi Product & Service Solutions.
All parts released for the aftermarket undergo the same rigorous product development processes, including Production Part Verification (PPV) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), according to Shasteen.
The purpose of PPV is to confirm the part being produced performs exactly as the prototype was designed, and the purpose of the PPAP is to ensure every part meets all of the requirements defined in the engineering samples. What’s more, any plant manufacturing a Delphi part must adhere to all of Delphi’s manufacturing standards to include performance, noise and durability testing.
"Unlike some competitors in the aftermarket, Delphi has a validation and durability test schedule to ensure our products perform in the most extreme conditions vehicles would experience worldwide," said Shasteen.
More than a decade ago, Delphi created its exclusive compressor life-cycle test based on data from cars driving in real-world conditions, including personal vehicles, taxi fleets and police fleets. After recording the conditions the vehicle compressors were exposed to, Delphi standardized its durability test schedule, which is used for its OE and aftermarket compressors.
Delphi’s SP compressors were tested to Delphi’s durability requirements — which, in some cases, are more stringent than those of the global OEMs it serves, the company says — and met the demands of completing the test without exhibiting excessive wear. Like all products in Delphi’s aftermarket thermal line, the compressors are designed to last a minimum of 50,000 miles. The SP compressors also meet the designated performance requirements and exceed the Delphi requirement that calls for a noise differential of less than 3 dB. In addition, Delphi’s SP compressors underwent vehicle fit and leak testing to ensure Delphi-caliber quality.
"Because of our 100-year OE heritage, this is the way Delphi has always engineered, developed and tested parts, which sets us apart from many of our competitors in the aftermarket," said Shasteen.
Delphi’s new compressors fit popular late-model domestic and import applications, with coverage for more than 13 million vehicles.
Since 1910, Delphi has brought heating and cooling innovations to the automotive market and remains a leader in developing OE-quality solutions for vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. This includes the first automotive radiator in 1911, the first car heater in 1929 and the first vehicle air conditioner in 1954.
