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Valeo's Sensing Technology is PACE Award Finalist

7 March 2000

Valeo's Sensing Technology is PACE Award Finalist

            Global Auto Supplier Recognized for Product Leadership


    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 3 An early lead in sensing
technology paid off for Valeo when it was named a 2000 Automotive News PACE
Award finalist late last year for its Park Assist System.  The PACE (Premier
Automotive supplier's Contribution to Excellence) Awards program recognizes
innovative automotive suppliers who adapt and excel in meeting their
customers' changing needs by providing leading edge, high-quality consumer
products and processes.
    Park Assist operates by alerting drivers with an audio beep when it senses
an object in the vehicle's path.  The beeps become more frequent as the
vehicle moves closer to the object.  When the object is within six inches, the
tone becomes continuous.  Valeo has developed modules that feature two- and
four-channel reverse obstacle sensing systems, and six- and eight-channel
front and back systems.
    The technology is termed "time of flight" range detection.  Sensors, or
transducers, located in the back, or both front and back, of a vehicle
generate a burst of ultrasound that travels with the speed of sound and
creates a field of sound.  Objects within the field reflect sound waves that
are then processed by an electronic control unit (ECU) that computes the
distance from the time elapsed between transmission and reception.
    Valeo's Park Assist, which debuted in North America in 1999, on the Ford
Windstar, was developed in the early '90's for a low-volume luxury market.
The system was then developed for mass production in Europe and further
refined for specific applications in North America.
    Valeo is an independent industrial group that designs, produces and sells
components, systems and modules for cars and trucks.  It operates in both the
original equipment and aftermarket segments.  By focusing on advanced
technology, global presence and the relentless pursuit of zero defects, Valeo
has established itself as a permanent frontrunner in all of its core
businesses: Electric/Electronics, Thermal Systems, Transmissions and
Aftermarket.  Valeo is among the world's top 10 automotive suppliers with
estimated 1999 sales of approximately 7.7 billion euros.  With a global
workforce of 50,400, the company has 113 production facilities, 29 research
and development operations, and 10 distribution centers in 20 countries.