Valeo's StARS Micro-Hybrid System Wins 2006 PACE Award

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 4 -- Valeo today announced that its micro-hybrid Starter-Alternator Reversible System (StARS) won the 2006 PACE Award in the European Products category. The award, which is co-sponsored by Automotive News, Microsoft, SAP and the Transportation Research Center, was presented to Valeo at a ceremony held in conjunction with the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit.

"It is an honor to receive the PACE Award and have our micro-hybrid system recognized as one of the most innovative automotive products of the year," said Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman and CEO. "As consumers and automakers continue to look for affordable ways to improve the fuel-economy of their vehicles, we are confident that they will find our micro-hybrid system just as interesting as the PACE Award judges did."

The StARS system features the capacity to stop and then restart the engine immediately and silently. This technology therefore saves fuel and avoids pollution when the vehicle stops at a red light or in a traffic jam. The vehicle starts up again quietly and automatically as soon as it is put in gear or when the foot releases the brake. This innovation, which reduces pollution (both sound and atmospheric), improves cabin comfort and reduces fuel consumption by 12% on average. This micro-hybrid system is currently available on the Citroen C2 and C3 Stop&Start.

The PACE Awards, now in their 12th year, honor "superior innovation through technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers."

This award for Valeo marks its fifth PACE recognition. Valeo's LaneVue(TM) Lane Departure Warning System won a PACE Award in 2005.

Valeo continues to invest more than 6% of its sales in R&D every year in order to bring innovative solutions to the market in the Domains of Powertrain Efficiency, Driving Assistance and Comfort Enhancement.

Valeo is an independent industrial group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 134 plants, 68 R&D centers, 9 distribution centers and employs 70,400 people in 26 countries worldwide.