During the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, the long-lost name "Delphi" reappeared, attracting the attention of the industry. It's just that this time it is a new brand - PHINIA (Fernia Delphi).
PHINIA 2024 Beijing Auto Show (Image source: PHINIA )
In fact, PHINIA is a continuation of the original Delphi fuel system and aftermarket business, and the "PHI" in the name is also the last three letters of "Delphi". To put it simply, after an early spin-off, from being acquired by BorgWarner to being spun off and listed again last year, Delphi started anew with a new name and mission.
During the show, in addition to the new brand image, PHINIA also brought many innovative technologies such as 500bar gasoline direct injection (GDi) fuel system, alternative fuel solutions, etc., and talked about how companies focusing on fuel systems will ensure sustainable business growth under new market trends and challenges.
A multi-product portfolio was unveiled, and the "500bar GDi fuel system" was the first of its kind in the industry
In recent years, with the rapid increase in the penetration rate of new energy vehicles, the share and space of fuel vehicles have continued to be compressed. However, according to Mr. Pedro Abreu, Vice President and General Manager of PHINIA Asia Pacific, fuel vehicles will not disappear immediately in the short term, and there is still a lot of competitiveness, especially in how to further improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines, reduce carbon emissions or even zero emissions, there is still a lot of potential to be tapped.
PHINIA副总裁兼亚太区总经理 Pedro Abreu(图片来源:PHINIA)
It is understood that in the field of internal combustion engines, PHINIA currently has three core product portfolios, namely ICE/xEV gasoline injection system, diesel injection system, and alternative fuel injection system. Each portfolio has a very rich product line and is ranked in the top three in its respective field. During this auto show, the three major product portfolios were unveiled, including many industry-leading technical solutions, let's take a look.
PHINIA三大核心产品组合(图片来源:PHINIA)
The 500bar gasoline direct injection (GDi) fuel system was the focus of the show, and an industry first. According to Zhou Lin, engineering director of PHINIA Fuel Systems China, this advanced system can significantly reduce emissions, reduce fuel consumption, and do not need to spend a lot of money to redesign the engine, and is currently installed on Changan's new Blue Whale power platform.
ZHOU LIN, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, PHINIA FUEL SYSTEMS CHINA (PHOTO SOURCE: PHINIA)
Specifically, the 500bar GDi fuel system consists of injectors, high-pressure oil pumps, forged common rails, and the corresponding engine control system and software. The technical enhancements are as follows:
500bar gasoline direct injection (GDi) fuel system (Image source: PHINIA)
● The pressure vessel has been optimized, the rail interface has been improved, and the electromagnetic force has been increased by 30%, which has improved the performance of the new fuel injector, thereby improving the accuracy of oil supply;
● The high-pressure fuel pump uses an innovative piston that is smaller and can provide higher pressure without increasing the load on the engine camshaft;
● The new forging rail uses less material and reduces the weight by 25%, but it can still withstand higher pressures. The rails are more durable and flexible, with both offset and overhead options.
● In terms of engine control system and software, PHINIA optimizes the processing capacity to obtain better fuel supply performance with multiple injection modes, and at the same time achieves tighter closed-loop control.
"These advancements address the challenges of increased pressure, dramatically improve injector dynamics for smaller pulse repeatability, and improve injector packaging without space constraints. Zhou Lin said.
Alternative fuel technology is another major focus of PINIA's current expansion. For hydrogen, the ultimate energy source to achieve "zero carbon emissions", PHINIA has developed a complete solution for hydrogen injection systems. The injection system adopts the system architecture of direct injection in the cylinder, which has the advantages of no backfire risk, high injection pressure, large flow rate, power level close to the original machine, and higher inflation efficiency.
PHINIA Hydrogen Injection System Solution (Image source: PHINIA)
In addition to hydrogen, ethanol, methanol and natural gas are also among PHIIA's effective means of reducing vehicle carbon emissions. For example, for direct injection in the cylinder, a special nozzle for 350 bar ethanol and a high-pressure oil pump have been developed.
"A lot of people will say that alternative fuels will not be profitable in the short term, but we think this is the future. PHINIA will continue to innovate ahead of the market, but not blindly developing, but combined with practical applications, such as hydrogen engines, we have already obtained mass production projects. Pedro Abreu said.
In addition to providing injection system hardware products, PHINIA also showcased its world-class ECU software development, system integration and calibration capabilities during the show, explaining how its software controls the intricacies and interactions of fuel system components through control strategies to ensure optimal fuel system performance and efficiency. The combination of software and hardware also makes PHINIA develop in a more systematic and integrated direction.
In addition, from the perspective of the field, PINIA's products are not only limited to injection systems, but also have many innovative solutions for starters and after-sales services.
Innovative starter products (Image source: PHINIA)
PHINIA旗下品牌Delphi、Delco Remy、Hartridge产品集中展示(图片来源:PHINIA)
"With more than 100 years of industry expertise and cutting-edge technologies, PHINIA is committed to helping automakers achieve a cleaner, more efficient future while meeting emissions regulations by advancing fuel systems and zero-carbon technologies. Pedro Abreu said.
Diversified and balanced layout, "three pillars" to help business continue to grow
Since the spin-off from BorgWarner last year, many people have questioned the development of PHINIA's business: electrification has become a trend, especially in the Chinese market, but the company is still focused on the traditional internal combustion engine field, how to ensure sustainable growth and profitability?
Pedro Abreu pointed out that data is the best answer, and that PHINIA's global business revenue in 2023 will be 3.5 billion US dollars, with China accounting for 16% of global revenue, and the overall business is in a state of solid development. In addition to technological innovation, this is also inseparable from diversified business expansion and global presence.
PHINIA'S DIVERSIFIED MARKET LAYOUT (IMAGE SOURCE: PHINIA)
Judging from the above chart, PHINIA's current business covers three major areas: passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and after-sales, with the three major markets accounting for 44%, 24%, and 32% respectively, which is relatively balanced. In the future, the proportion of aftermarket and commercial vehicle business will increase. From the perspective of global development, the Americas, Europe and Asia are relatively stable, the Americas and Europe account for a slightly larger proportion, and Asia is also catching up and improving.
As for how to maintain business growth in the future, especially in the strategic Chinese market, Yang Hongyong, Managing Director of PHINIA China and General Manager of Fuel Systems China, added three major support points:
Yang Hongyong, Managing Director of PHINIA China and General Manager of Fuel Systems China (Photo source: PHINIA)
1. In terms of fuel system, the launch of new technologies such as the 500bar GDi fuel system will provide a strong boost for the company's business growth. In addition, the rapid growth of hybrid systems, especially plug-in hybrid and range extension, has also brought great opportunities for PHINIA's business growth, and the company has received more orders.
2. In terms of alternative fuel technology, PHINIA has been expanding in methanol, ethanol and natural gas for many years, and has mature technology and supporting experience. With the policy support and the increase in the volume of market applications in the future, it will also bring new business growth to the company.
3. More new business development, PHINIA is currently supporting commercial vehicles in the light vehicle market, and will increase its expansion in heavy commercial vehicles in the future. In addition, the company has been precipitating in off-highway and aerospace for a long time, which is also an important business growth point in the future.
IMAGE CREDIT: PHINIA
In addition to the above three pillars, Yang Hongyong also said that with the continuous increase in China's car ownership, the "cake" of after-sales will also roll bigger and bigger, and the company will also strive for a larger share in this field.
Overall, although the internal combustion engine is gradually ebbing, the market space is still large. After many twists and turns in the early stage, PHINIA not only did not sink into confusion, but actively faced the challenges with a more high-spirited attitude, which also served as a good example for enterprises that were originally engaged in the traditional automobile business. The challenges are long-lasting, but for the strong, the opportunities are always there.
ABOUT PHINIA:
PHINIA is a leading automotive supplier of fuel systems, alternative fuel technologies, electrical systems, and aftermarket solutions. It aims to provide customers with the best application systems, products and solutions to promote the sustainable development of today's world and contribute to a zero-carbon future. With a history of more than 100 years, PHINIA employs 13,200 people in 44 locations in 28 countries around the world.