Delco Electronics

Delco Electronics Corporation
FormerlyDayton Engineering Laboratories Co.
Company typePrivate (1909–18)
Subsidiary (1918–72)
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1909 in Dayton, Ohio
FoundersCharles Kettering
Edward A. Deeds
Defunct1985; 39 years ago (1985)
FateMerged by GM with Hughes Aircraft to form Hughes Electronics
SuccessorHughes Electronics
Headquarters
U.S.
ProductsAutomobile radios
ParentGeneral Motors
SubsidiariesDayton-Wright Company

Delco Electronics Corporation was the automotive electronics design and manufacturing subsidiary of General Motors based in Kokomo, Indiana, that manufactured Delco Automobile radios and other electric products found in GM cars. In 1972, General Motors merged it with the AC Electronics division and it continued to operate as part of the Delco Electronics division of General Motors. When the corporation acquired the Hughes Aircraft Company, Delco was merged with it to form Hughes Electronics as an independent subsidiary.

The name "Delco" came from the "Dayton Engineering Laboratories Co.", founded in Dayton, Ohio, by Charles Kettering and Edward A. Deeds in 1909.[1] Delco was responsible for several innovations in automobile electric systems, including the first reliable battery ignition system and the first practical automobile self-starter.

  1. ^ Sloan, Alfred P. My Years With General Motors. p. 249.