Old-style car parts supplier goes for high-tech overhaul

Troy, Michigan

AS CARMAKERS rush to catch up to Silicon Valley in the race to create the superintelligent, self-driving cars of the future, one old-line parts manufacturer is hoping to win by switching sides.

Delphi Automotive began as the parts arm of General Motors (GM), and years ago operated dozens of unionised plants that churned out the type of mechanical car components that put venture capitalists to sleep: air-conditioners, brakes, heaters and radios.