Valeo LaneVue(TM) System Wins 2005 Automotive News PACE Award

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, April 12 -- Valeo today announced that its lane departure warning system, LaneVue(TM), won a 2005 PACE Awards in the product innovation category. The award which is sponsored by Automotive News was presented during a ceremony held in conjunction with the 2005 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress at COBO Hall in Detroit.

"It is truly an honor to have Valeo's lane departure warning system recognized as the most innovative product of 2004 by the PACE Award judges," said Thierry Morin, Chairman and CEO. "Valeo's lane departure technology is a key system for protecting drivers and passengers from the many hazards on today's roads. The latest figures show that over 40% of accidents in the United States occur during lane change".

The LaneVue(TM) system developed with Iteris consists of a miniature video sensor that uses complex proprietary software algorithms to continuously monitor the lane markings in front of the vehicle. During unintentional lane departures - detected when the driver fails to use their turn signal - the driver is alerted to take corrective action by an audible tone, rumble in the driver's seat or a shake in the steering wheel.

Infiniti was the first car manufacturer to install the system on a production vehicle for the U.S. market. The LaneVue(TM) system is currently available as an option on the 2005 Infiniti FX sport-utility and 2006 M45 sedan.

The PACE Awards, now in their 11th year, are presented annually and are co-sponsored by Automotive News, CapGemini and the Transportation Research Center. The awards honor automotive suppliers for innovations in both products and practices. According to the award's Web site, the winners of the PACE award "set the standard for game-changing innovation and excellence within the automotive supply industry."

This award for Valeo marks its fourth PACE recognition: Valeo's start-stop starter alternator was a PACE Award finalist last year.

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 129 plants, 65 R&D centers, 9 distribution centers and employs 67,300 people in 26 countries worldwide.