Delphi Automotive, which makes mechanical and electrical parts for cars, gets less attention than its customers like GM and Ford in the race to develop autonomous vehicles. But as those automakers try to take greater control of their vehicles, potentially leaving out Delphi, the parts maker is looking for other avenues to sell its products and assert itself in the self-driving vehicle market.

One option it has discussed is working with lesser-known contract manufacturers to jointly develop and build vehicles as part of a commercial transportation service, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Efforts like these will be led by Glen De Vos, Delphi’s chief technology officer. Mr. De Vos, a 25-year veteran of Delphi who is well-known among major self-driving car developers, is the second-most important executive at the company after Chief Executive Kevin Clark. The two are surrounded by a mix of company veterans and a few newcomers, including more than 100 recently added self-driving car engineers.