Valeo Innovative Wiper System Wins a 2012 Automotive News PACE Award

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Apr 24, 2012, 10:28 ET

TROY, Mich., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Valeo has won a 2012 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award for its VisioBlade® wiper system featured on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL. The company earned the industry honor for the wiper blade's innovative delivery of fluid directly ahead of the sweeping blade surface through channels and holes integrated to the blade. This allows nearly unobstructed vision of the road during window surface cleaning, while reducing the amount of required fluid by half.

"It is a great honor to be placed among the most innovative companies in the industry by the Automotive News PACE Award judges," said Valeo Visibility Systems Business Group President Antoine Doutriaux. "This is the fifth time Valeo has crossed the stage over the past decade to accept a PACE Award. We hope our innovations continue to meet the high standards of the judges, so we can do so again in the years to come."

VisioBlade® offers three distinct advantages over traditional wiper design and fluid delivery:

Drastically reduced visual disturbance caused during the traditional windshield cleaning cycle.
Consistent washing performance independent of vehicle speed.
50 percent efficiency improvement in fluid use offering the possibility to reduce the washer fluid tank size and save up to 2kg (4 pounds) of vehicle embarked weight.

"We thank Daimler for giving Valeo the chance to demonstrate the viability of this unique wiper design," said Doutriaux. "We are grateful for their willingness to break from traditional wiper architecture and their faith in our ability to deliver commercial innovation."

Valeo's VisioBlade® washer fluid distribution system is comprised of three main elements to release fluid in synchronization with wiper arm position:

The wiper blades with integrated washer fluid channels and spray holes.
The smart wiper motor with the ability to sense the position of the blade on the windshield surface.
The software program guiding accurate and efficient blade position and washer fluid delivery.

Valeo accepted the honor at the 2012 Automotive News PACE Awards ceremony on April 23, 2012 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. The Automotive News PACE Awards honor superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. This prestigious award, now in its 18th year, is recognized around the world as the industry benchmark for innovation. Valeo won awards in 2008 for its Park4U® park assist system; 2007 for its Multi-Beam Radar (MBR) blind-spot radar sensor; 2006 for its StARS micro-hybrid system; and, 2005 for its LaneVue™ lane departure warning system.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for the automotive industry, mainly for CO2 emissions reduction. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 124 plants, 21 research centers, 40 development centers, 12 distribution platforms and employs 68,000 people in 28 countries worldwide. Valeo reported global sales of euro 10.9 billion ($15.6 billion*) in 2011.

In North America, Valeo's regional headquarters are located in Troy, Mich., and the company has 17 production sites and six research and development centers. The company employs approximately 7,955 people across the United States and Mexico and was responsible for 15 percent of the Group's 2011 global annual sales, contributing euro 1.355 billion ($1.897 billion*).

The company's innovative solutions are developed by its four business groups - Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems, Powertrain Systems, Thermal Systems, Visibility Systems - and Valeo Service. Valeo's key products support and advance automotive electrical systems; transmission systems; engine management systems; air management systems; hybrid and electric vehicle systems; climate control; powertrain thermal systems; compressors; front-end modules; driving assistance; interior controls; interior electronics; access mechanisms; lighting systems; wiper systems; and, wiper motors.

More information about the Valeo Group and its activities can be found on the Internet at www.valeo.com.

*Currency conversion based on the average of the 2011 month-end FX Euro to USD of 1.4000.

For more information, please contact:

Brad Warner
Phone: (248) 619-8377
E-mail: [email protected]

Safe Harbor Statement:
Statements contained in this report, which are not historical fact, constitute "Forward-Looking Statements". Actual results may differ materially due to numerous important factors. Such factors include the cost and timing of implementing restructuring actions, the company's ability to generate cost savings or manufacturing efficiencies to offset or exceed contractually or competitively required price reductions, conditions in the automotive industry, and certain global and regional economic conditions. The company assumes no responsibility for any analysts' estimates and any other information prepared by third parties which we may reference in this report. Valeo does not intend or assume any obligation to review or confirm analysts' estimates or to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report.

SOURCE Valeo