Valeo wins Gold Award and special 10th anniversary trophy at Equip'Auto

Paris, France, October 23 -- At the 10th anniversary Equip'Auto International Grands Prix awards ceremony held last Friday, Valeo won the Gold Award for its multi-application alternator in the post equipment category. Valeo was also recognized with a special 10th anniversary prize, which was selected by the presidents of the past five juries, for its innovative Silencio wiper blade with wear indicator which won in 1999.

An international panel of 70 independent journalists and automotive experts from 22 countries evaluated some 250 innovations submitted for an award. The Equip'Auto International Awards conferred on Valeo recognize innovation for eligible products, concepts and services available from exhibiting companies.

"This is the fourth consecutive time that Valeo has won awards at Equip'Auto. This Gold Award and the special 10th anniversary prize bear testimony to Valeo's emphasis on technical innovation over the years," said Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.

"I am very honoured that Valeo has received the Gold Award in the aftermarket category. It highlights another important innovation which has been further developed to create a novel and efficient solution for the aftermarket," he added.

Multi-application alternator:

The multi-application alternator, which was designed and developed exclusively for the aftermarket, is a replacement alternator which promises to enhance customer service by reducing the time and inconvenience associated with "Vehicle off Road" events, often caused by the limited availability of a compatible standard exchange alternator.

The multi-application alternator consists of a 90 amp alternator using a "generic" body designed and manufactured in a Valeo OE plant to OE standards and specifications.

In order to facilitate installation of the multi-application alternator to the widest possible range of vehicles, Valeo engineers have custom-designed a range of 30 alternator mounting brackets, accompanied by pulleys and electrical connections. By adopting this flexible and innovative design approach, Valeo Service has achieved the widest possible vehicle applications coverage with availability ensured through the company's aftermarket distribution network.

Available since April this year, the multi-application alternator is supplied all over Europe, among nearly one hundred Standard Exchange references. The multi-application alternator is delivered fully assembled, ready to replace the defective unit.

Valeo also plans to market a self-assembly kit of the multi-application alternator, in partnership with roadside assistance specialists, to further optimise its customer service rate.

Silencio flat blade with wear indicator:

Valeo's wear indicator was introduced in 1998 with the launch of the Silencio technology, a wiper blade made using a new formula of extruded natural rubber with an exclusive high performance coating.

The associated wear indicator is a round tab that is fixed to the Silencio wiper blade and is designed specifically to degrade at the same rate as the rubber blade. When the protective cover is removed, the wear indicator is activated and becomes sensitive to the same wear factors as the rubber blade, factors such as UV, ozone and pollution. Under normal operating conditions, the wear indicator gradually changes from black, the initial color, to yellow, the final colour. This color change provides a visual indication of when the wiper blade is nearing the end of its life and is due for replacement.

The Silencio wiper blade featuring the wear indicator won the Equip'Auto Innovation Grand Prix in 1999.

The market success of the wear indicator led to Valeo incorporating this feature into the design of the Flat Blade, a unique "flat" wiper blade that combines innovative and individual styling with excellent wiping efficiency in all weather conditions. An Equip'Auto Innovation Award was conferred on the Valeo Flat Blade in 2001 in recognition of its contribution to improving vehicle safety and comfort.

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 125 plants, 55 R&D centres, nine distribution centres and employs 67,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.

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