Delphi provides PU-skinned instrument panels for Mercedes M- & R-Class

By Liz White, UT staffTroy, Michigan-Delphi Corp. has been given full responsibility for designing and building the cockpit modules for the new Mercedes M- and R-Class vehicles. These models feature sprayed polyurethane skin on the instrument panels. The automotive supplier will provide the instrument panel, console, and entire cockpit assembly on the all-new 2006 M-Class sport utility vehicle, launched in January, as well as the all-new R-Class Grand Sport Tourer, due out later this year.This is the largest contract Delphi has ever had with Mercedes, said a statement from the Troy-headquartered interiors supplier. Sprayed urethane skin is one of the key technologies, along with a seamless hidden deployment door for the passenger-airbag and a thin-walled, long-glass-fibre injection-moulded retainer. Delphi said it custom builds each cockpit configuration on the programme.The start of M-Class production marked the North American debut of this custom-build process, which not only allows consumers to personalise their model but also eliminates the automaker's need to stock large numbers of parts.The picture shows Thomas Weber, DaimlerChrysler board member, in the new M-Class. "