Valeo's interfaced alternator wins EPCOS/SIA award

Paris, France, June 20 -- The 2003 EPCOS/SIA award in the Powertrain category has been conferred on Valeo for its Interfaced Alternator - the first in the world to integrate a microprocessor onto an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The trophy was presented to Valeo's Advanced Development Team at the annual reception of the SIA, the French Society of Automotive Engineers, held yesterday in Paris, France.

A panel of motor industry journalists, vehicle manufacturers and technical specialists evaluated entries for the EPCOS/SIA annual awards. The EPCOS/SIA awards recognize the high degree of creativity and innovation in the design, manufacture and application of automotive electronics systems in production this year.

Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman & CEO, who attended the award ceremony, said, "Receiving this award for a third consecutive year is testimony to Valeo's commitment to improving vehicle performance by the application of electronics-based technologies. To be recognized by the engineering community and our customers is a tremendous honour."

Valeo alternators, developed first for the BMW 3-series model and later for other major models in current production, integrates a new, patented, design of regulator to control the alternator's output voltage and to optimise communication to the engine management system. This improved communication means the alternator can be controlled to supply power "on-demand". This in turn offers car makers the opportunity to reduce fuel consumption and reduce engine noise at standstill.

The unique hardware design of microprocessor and ASIC, a joint development between Valeo and Elmos Semiconductor AG, enables the regulator to operate in high temperature applications where silicon can reach up to 170 degrees Celsius.

Valeo's interfaced alternator was developed at the company's Electrical Systems R&D Centre at Créteil, with development support from Elmos in Dortmund, Germany. The EPCOS/SIA prize is the first innovation award conferred on Valeo and a Valeo Integrated Partner (VIP) underlining the objective of VIP partnerships. VIP is Valeo's preferred supplier program which commits both companies to closer co-operation on product development by integrating supplier innovations into Valeo's automotive systems. Elmos achieved VIP status in 2000.

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 132 plants, 54 R&D centres, 9 distribution centres and employs 69,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.

ELMOS Semiconductor AG is a developer and manufacturer of custom specific integrated system solutions based on semiconductors. For more than 10 years, ELMOS has generated about 85 percent of its net sales in the automotive electronics segment.

Media contact: Malene Pickles, Tel: +33 140 55 2074, Email: Malene.pickles@valeo.com