Valeo wins Gold International “Grand Prix” Award for Automotive Innovation at Equip’Auto

PARIS - At the International Grands Prix Awards for Automotive Innovation ceremony held last night, Valeo won the Gold award for BeamAtic(R) Premium in the Original Equipment category.

BeamAtic(R) Premium, Valeo’s adaptive front lighting system, revolutionizes driving in the dark, offering drivers optimal visual comfort in all driving conditions. The high beam remains switched on all the time but without dazzling oncoming vehicle drivers.

Using a camera placed behind the rear view mirror, the system detects another vehicle in the zone of the headlight beam and a mobile shield is then positioned to mask the part of the beam covering the zone occupied by the other vehicle. The other driver is therefore not dazzled because as, from his point of view, the high beam appears as low beam.

Valeo’s BeamAtic(R) Premium system will be launched in its Xenon version in 2010.

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 121 plants, 61 R&D centers, 10 distribution platforms and employs 50,100 people in 27 countries worldwide.

For more information about the Group and its activities, please visit our web site www.valeo.com.

Source: Valeo Management Services

For additional information, please contact: Claire Vidal Pilo, Corporate Media Relations, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-21-26, claire.vidal-pilo at valeo.com. Clara Des Dorides, Valeo Service, Communications, Tel.: +33-1-49-45-39-20, clara.des-dorides at valeo.com