Inquiring spirit and technical excellence mark Valeo's stand at Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo, Japan, October 16 -- Valeo combines an inquiring spirit with dedication to technical rigor to develop numerous automotive innovations -- from keyless entry systems to intelligent headlights -- that support the growth of the automotive industry in Europe, Asia and North America.
Products developed by Valeo and its Japanese affiliates, Zexel (Thermal Systems), Ichikoh (Lighting Systems), Valeo Unisia Transmissions (Transmissions), are in many vehicles that will be displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show Oct. 22-Nov. 5, and separate stands of Valeo and Ichikoh will introduce products using advanced electronics, materials and processes that are ready for the next generation of cars.
Valeo being concentrated only on the international automotive industry, it has developed leading skills in advanced electronics, it adopts the best practices of all suppliers around the world, and it is organized internally to promote efficient development of innovations through its "Domains" approach to engineering. As a result, Valeo is one of largest independent automotive suppliers in Europe and among the world's Top 20 with sales of US$9.8 billion euro (1,130 billion yen) in 2002.
Valeo has had a presence in Japan since 1985. Headquarters and sales offices are concentrated in Tokyo with 5 main plants in Atsugi, Kohnan, Ora, Iseahara and Fujioka. The company has successfully supplied Japanese automakers and formed Japanese partnerships because it shares a dedication to technological leadership, quality and continuous improvement.
Valeo has a strong base in Asia, with engineering centres and plants, additionally to Japan, in China, Korea and Thailand. In North America, Valeo has 18 manufacturing operations and 11 engineering sites.
Valeo conducts business with Japanese car makers, whether in Japan, Europe or North and South America.
In the past five years, Valeo's business in Asia has grown substantially through organic sales development, joint-ventures and acquisitions to reach approximately 2.5 billion euros. In 2002 Valeo grew its consolidated sales in the Asia Pacific region by 17 per cent.
At locations in 25 countries, Valeo's 69,000 employees develop and manufacture components following a working methodology called the 5 axes. By following the Valeo Production System, involving employees, integrating suppliers and dedicating itself to continuous improvement and total quality, Valeo ships parts built to the same standard to international customers from Tokyo to Tennessee.
Valeo developed its Domains marketing and technology strategy to stimulate creative engineering solutions through transversal thinking. The Valeo Domains approach focuses on the perspective of vehicle manufacturers and consumers. By bringing together people from different internal engineering and manufacturing divisions to look at how automobiles could improve daily life, the Domains approach transcends traditional definitions of products, systems and technologies and stimulates world-class innovation.
Among Valeo's recent and future products to be shown at Tokyo are the following:
- Keyless entry systems
- Clutch-by-wire
- 14 Volt belt-driven starter-alternator
- Flat blade wipers
- THEMIS(tm)
- Blind spot detection system
- Lane departure warning system
- Top Column Module
- Next-generation ultrasonic park assist
- Photocatalytic filter
- Mechanical multi-exchangers
- Efficient A/C control system
- Front and rear lighting
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 130 plants, 54 R&D centres, 9 distribution centres and employs 69,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.