Valeo Inaugurates Two New Sites in China: an Electronics Development Center in Shenzhen and a Wiper Systems Plant in Wenling

PARIS, April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Valeo has inaugurated two new sites in China this week: a global Electronics Expertise Center in Shenzhen and a wiper systems production plant in Wenling, China.

"The opening of the new Electronics Expertise Center and the new wiper systems plant are a further demonstration of Valeo's strategy to accelerate its development in fast growing markets, in particular in China where the Group aims to double its sales by 2015," said Jacques Aschenbroich, Valeo CEO. "The R&D activity is key to support this development. The number of our engineers in China will more than double from 1,300 in 2010 to 3,000 in the next five years. Beyond China, Asia is a key market for Valeo, which represented 19% of its total sales in 2010 and should increase to represent around 30% in 2015."

The new Electronics Expertise Center, which will be staffed by a highly qualified team of more than 100 engineers by the end of the year and 200 by 2015, will be dedicated to electronic hardware development and services for all Valeo Group entities. It will also play a major role in the future development of electronic components for electric vehicles.

The center will provide electronics engineering services, CAD (computer-aided design) layout engineering and supplier quality support for all Valeo product lines. It is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware test benches, thermal chambers and EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) test equipment. It will ensure global around-the-clock engineering services to all Valeo entities, in order to satisfy the demand of the Group's customers worldwide.

The new center is located within Valeo's Shenzhen production plant which has just been extended by 5,000 sq.m., enabling it to significantly increase its production of top column modules, switches and control panels, and ultrasonic systems.

Valeo has also inaugurated a new wiper systems site in Wenling. This new production plant of 15,600 sq.m., replacing the former plant opened in 1994, employs around 800 employees and allows the Group to significantly increase its production of wiper and washer systems for its customers in China and worldwide. This facility complements another Valeo wiper systems site in Shanghai (in partnership with SAIC - Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) and contributes to Valeo's leadership position in wiper systems worldwide.

Valeo is present in China through its 4 Business Groups - Powertrain Systems, Thermal Systems, Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems, and Visibility Systems - as well as the Valeo Service aftermarket activity. In 2010, the Group employed nearly 8,000 people in China in 15 production sites, 3 R&D centers, 8 engineering centers and an aftermarket distribution center.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for the automotive industry, mainly for CO2 emissions reduction. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 109 plants, 20 Research centers, 38 Development centers, 10 distribution platforms and employs 58,000 people in 27 countries worldwide.

For more information about the Valeo Group and its activities, please visit our web site http://www.valeo.com

SOURCE Valeo