Valeo and Luc Alphand Join Forces for the Dakar Rally and Le Mans 24 Hours

PARIS, October 6 -- Valeo and French rally driver Luc Alphand have signed a three year partnership agreement for the Cross Country Rally World Cup and the Le Mans Endurance Series. This partnership, based on the shared values of performance and professionalism will help develop Valeo's brand image as an innovative corporation ready to take on major challenges.

Luc Alphand, quintuple Ski World Cup winner, has been a driver with the official Mitsubishi Motors Sports team since 2004. In 2005, he came second in the Paris-Dakar and won the Tunisia Rally. Alphand ranks among France's fifteen best-loved sportsmen. His professionalism, talent, single-mindedness and passion for winning command universal respect. His clear goal is to win the 2006 Lisbon-Dakar which will take place next December 28 to January 15.

Valeo will equip future Mitsubishi Motors Sports vehicles with special lighting, wiping and air-conditioning systems, and from 2006 onwards both competing and back-up vehicles will be gradually fitted with these innovations.

"I am honoured to bear the Valeo colours, since Valeo is an innovative group totally dedicated to automotive technology. This partnership will help boost the performance of the Mitsubishi Motors Team in the increasingly competitive world of cross-country racing. For me, Valeo is an ideal partner and together we will be a winning team," says Luc Alphand.

"Innovation and excellence lie at the heart of our Group's strategy, and Luc Alphand is the perfect embodiment of these values. Cross-country rallying is gaining world-wide recognition as a sport. The quality of the drivers, the growing number of constructors' teams and the global coverage of the championship have convinced us of the merits of launching this new adventure to build Valeo's brand image," says Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman and CEO.

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, 68 R&D centres, 9 distribution centres and employs 72,100 people in 28 countries worldwide.

Note to Editors

A picture accompanying this release is available from the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) at http://www.epa-photos.com

    
    Media contacts :
    Alexandre Telinge, +33-1-40-55-20-74, alexandre.telinge@valeo.com
    Sophie Porte, +33-1-40-55-37-68, sophie.porte@valeo.com

Alexandre Telinge, +33-1-40-55-20-74, alexandre.telinge@valeo.com; Sophie Porte, +33-1-40-55-37-68, sophie.porte@valeo.com