History of Fuel Injection in Motor Cars / Automobiles

6.5 Fuel Injection

• In 1955 a mechanical fuel injection system was developed by Bosch in Germany. Two years later, in 1957, General Motors in the United States produced a mechanical fuel injection system.

• The “Electrojector” developed by Bendix in the United States during the mid 1950s was one of the first electronic fuel injection systems. From 1957 it was offered as an option by Pontiac, De Soto, Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth.

• However, it was not reliable and was only fitted to about 35 cars.

• Note: The Bendix fuel injection system was originally used on aircraft during the Korean War (1950-53).

• Bosch later obtained patent rights to Bendix’s Electrojector system and during the 1960s Bosch developed their own “D-Jetronic” electronic fuel injection system.

• This was first fitted to the VW Type lll in 1968. Between 1970 and 1973 the system was also used by Volvo, Saab, Renault, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

• The D-Jetronic version was last used in 1976. Bosch introduced improved versions, including the L and K-Jetronic systems.