Communiqué de presse Press release

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1 Green By Nature: Valeo Showcases Eco-Friendly Technology at the Frankfurt Auto Show Frankfurt, Germany, September 11, 2007 Valeo has chosen the occasion of the Frankfurt Auto Show, one of the world s premier automotive industry gatherings, to demonstrate that Valeo is indeed Green by Nature. Valeo has long been dedicated to protecting the environment through eco-friendly products and systems as well as cleaner factories and manufacturing processes. As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, Valeo is committed to preserving the planet and enabling a better automotive world for current and future generations. Dramatic population growth and an increasing desire for individual liberty have brought to the forefront the challenge of reconciling the huge demand for vehicles and the need to reduce their impact on the environment. For the automotive industry this challenge translates into the need for technological and manufacturing innovations specifically designed to protect the environment. Reduced fuel consumption and pollutant constitute the major challenges facing our industry. Developing the necessary solutions is invigorating and stimulating, but it calls for significant investment. Furthermore, such technologies must be developed, tested and implemented while keeping costs as low as possible. Valeo is successfully meeting these challenges and will continue to do so in the future. The Green by nature innovations displayed on the Valeo booth, are: E-Valve: Electromagnetic Valve Actuation 15-20% reduction in CO 2 Valeo E-Valve technology is based on a variable valve actuation system that replaces the conventional mechanical system for major fuel economy, improved engine performance and easier driving. StARS Micro-Hybrid 6-15% reduction in CO 2 The StARS System features the capacity to stop and then restart the engine immediately and silently. StARS saves fuel and reduces significantly when the vehicle is stopped at red lights and in traffic jams without disrupting the motorist s normal driving habits. This system was first launched on the Citroën C3 and this year will be launched on the smart fortwo mhd (micro hybrid drive). Double Dry Clutch 4-6% reduction in CO 2 An alternative to hydraulic automatic transmissions, the Double Dry Clutch transmission features one clutch for even gears and one clutch for odd gears. This provides the comfort of an automatic transmission and the fuel efficiency of a manual transmission. THEMIS Valve up to 4% reduction in CO 2 The THEMIS Valve offers full coolant flow management throughout the engine, radiator and heater and is integrated into the engine coolant outlet. Fuel economy, reduced, faster engine warm-up and improved HVAC performance are among the numerous benefits of the THEMIS Valve. Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation system 5-7% reduction in CO 2 The primary function of Cooled EGR Systems has been to reduce the formation of nitrogen oxides in diesel engines. Recently, Cooled EGR has been applied to gasoline engines to improve fuel economy by allowing higher compression ratios.

2 UltimateCooling 3-5% reduction in CO 2 UltimateCooling is a new cooling system to optimize thermal energy management by running all fluids through one coolant loop. As well as offering significant fuel economy, the UlimateCooling System also enhances vehicle design by reducing front-end overhang (20% to 40% reduction over conventional systems). High efficiency A/C systems 3 % reduction in CO 2 Valeo introduces a new smart R134a air conditioning loop. Innovative and lighter components, combined with a computer-added A/C control algorithm, allow the system to operate always close to the efficiency optimum. This leads to lower power consumption and a significant fuel economy. Green products and systems are only a part of the solution. Green manufacturing facilities and processes are equally crucial. Valeo s generic factory concept ensures that environmental factors are given top priority at all manufacturing sites from design blueprints through to operations all around the world. Reduced electricity and water consumption, minimum waste, increased recycling rates, employee safety and a global awareness of the way Valeo can impact nature: the employee education programs are designed to help every individual find eco-friendly solutions. In striving to bring customers products and systems that enable them to build ever cleaner automobiles, Valeo s goal is two-fold: to protect the planet and to provide its customers with real added-value products to differentiate their vehicles through enhanced comfort and environmental protection at the best possible cost.

3 Valeo launches a water-cooled charge air cooler on the Volkswagen Golf 1.4l TSI Frankfurt, Germany, September 11, 2007 As part of this year s Green by nature theme, Valeo is presenting its water-cooled charge air cooler, whose first mass production application is the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 l TSI, launched at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. This technology helps reduce CO 2 and improves fuel consumption; it also takes up less packaging in the front-end of the vehicle and improves the vehicle s acceleration. «This new water-cooled air cooling system allowed us to cut down cost of the general system and reduce underhood packaging», a Volkswagen spokesman declared at the 28 th Internationales Motorensymposium in Vienna last April. The system includes an air-to-water heat exchanger in which the intake air is cooled by a coolant flow. The turbocharger system therefore benefits from more efficient cooling and also a shorter charge air duct, together they contribute to improved acceleration. The water-cooled charge air cooler represents the first step towards Valeo s new UltimateCooling system, which uses a single coolant fluid for all heat exchangers and so limits the number of exchangers in the front-end and improves thermal flows.

4 Park4U unveils its latest developments in the art of parking simplicity at the International Frankfurt Auto Show. Frankfurt, Germany, September 11, 2007 Park4U, The very latest innovation available on the park assist market, will be one of the stars of the International Frankfurt Auto Show Valeo will devote an area covering 300m 2 to easy parking and will preview the next generation of the system. In the space of a few seconds, the vehicle can be parked without the driver even touching the steering wheel the perfect retort to people who say parking has to be complicated. Drivers can now focus all their attention on the vehicle s surroundings, which is a significant point when you consider that in Germany one damage claim to car insurers out of three comes from failed parking maneuvers. This innovative solution has been fitted on the Volkswagen Touran since April 2007, under the name Park Assist. The statistics testify to enthusiastic uptake on the market: Volkswagen estimates that one out of nine Touran is delivered with this feature. This ultrasonic technology-based driving assistance system, a world premiere, automatically steers the car into the parking slot in a few seconds. Drivers can take their hands off the wheel, but keep their eyes on the road as they control the braking and acceleration of the operation at any time. The next generation of the system will allow drivers to park in even smaller spaces (only 40cms in front and behind the car) as well as enabling drivers to exit automatically. In the future, with the recent acquisition of Connaught Electronics, Valeo s parking assistance systems will provide full visibility to the driver of the vehicle s surroundings and enable increasingly complex parking manoeuvres to be carried out in full comfort. Following on from the Volkswagen Touran, Park4U is also fitted on the Touran Cross, the Tiguan and soon on other vehicles from the automaker. As well as achieving the ongoing confidence of Volkswagen, Valeo has also announced that its products will be fitted on five other makes of vehicle in the coming months. Valeo s new standard of simplicity continues to inspire the market.

5 Valeo presents its two new Comfort Enhancement demo cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Frankfurt, Germany, September 11, Christened Easy4U and Care4U, Valeo s two new demo cars represent the latest stages in the development and promotion of the Group s three domains. Following on from the V360 the car that highlighted the key Driving Assistance technologies at the Frankfurt show in 2005 Easy4U and Care4U, two Mercedes ML models, showcase all the innovations in the Comfort Enhancement Domain. They present comfort technologies adapted to each stage of the use of the vehicle: - approaching the car, entering, adjusting the driver s seat and controls - driving - getting out of the car Easy4U focuses on aids for using the vehicle. It is equipped with technologies that offer the intuitive adjustment of seat positions, power door closure systems and fully automatic trunk closure. With Easy4U, the vehicle demands less physical effort on the part of the user. Technologies integrated in the Easy4U car are: - Senseative, a seat adjustment system based on sensitive force sensor technology. Users simply slide a finger across the touch-sensitive surface to adjust their seat, intuitively and accurately. - Power closure for doors integrated in the latch to assist and ensure closure, however thick the joints and weight of the door. - Automatic trunk closure system which uses the park assist ultrasound sensors to detect when you walk away from the vehicle and automatically closes the trunk. Care4U is dedicated to wellbeing and comfort technologies inside the vehicle. It includes permanent interaction and communication with the vehicle, simple and intuitive interior controls, and optimal thermal comfort while driving the vehicle. Care4U is equipped with the following technologies: - the Smart Key, which operates at distances of up to 300 meters, displays vehicle data on its color screen (cabin temperature, fuel level, tire pressure, door lock checks) and allows the driver to remotely activate the air conditioning. This key, a Valeo signature product, has been designed to offer flexible, innovative styling, different for each vehicle. - The Thermeo system, a thermo-electric air conditioning system that provides practical, attractive A/C solutions specific to each individual seat in the rear. - The E-media system, a central console comprising a black panel and three joysticks that are automatically activated using their touch-sensitive sensors. They offer easy adjustment of the air conditioning, navigation controls, radio and telephone features. Graphic representations of control positions and movements are displayed on-screen, and the number of menu levels has been limited to facilitate the cognitive representation and logical functioning of controls. In just 12 months of development, engineers from Valeo and its partners succeeded in getting all these new technologies to communicate with the other vehicle functionalities. This technological challenge involved fitting new components in the original CAN networks as well as adding two CAN networks and one MOST network.

6 In order to reflect the spirit of the vehicle in the design, Valeo also carried out a detailed styling review. Ergonomic engineers and stylists worked together in-house to produce a fresh new high-quality architecture, form and finish. The result is a harmonious, integrated design, making it difficult to guess which features have been added to the original system. In designing its two Easy4U and Care4U vehicles, Valeo wanted to offer an example of the ergonomic and esthetic integration of its technologies in a vehicle, while ensuring that many other options are available to meet the needs of its automaker customers. By demonstrating its technological expertise by fitting these systems and getting them all to communicate with each other as well as with the vehicle s original network, Valeo has positioned itself as a market leader for future Comfort Enhancement innovations. The Easy4U and Care4U vehicles are presented in an exclusive area outside the main Valeo stand, with access limited to invited guests.

7 Valeo Style Collections: customized designer door handles Frankfurt, Germany, September 11, 2007 Plain door handles are a thing of the past: Valeo now offers door handles with a range of distinctive cosmetic finishes for the aftermarket. This concept, which was introduced for the first time on the Mini in 2006, is now available in four collections, each with its own distinctive, evocative style: The Outdoor Collection is for people who like action and adventure: it turns their dreams and aspirations into reality. The Prestige Collection s classic yet distinctive lines add a note of elegance and luxury. The Jungle Collection is audacious and lets people to communicate its codes and values. The Metropolitan Collection s authentic artistic and emotion-charged lines inject an avant-garde touch. At a time when people are seeking to customize their surroundings, their relationship with their vehicle has also become a more personal one. Vehicles have become a means of expression and a way of stating one s identity. Valeo therefore designs its collections with the style and tastes of users in mind, but also to reflect the image and spirit that the automaker wishes to give its brand. It has ensured that its door handles accurately meet market demands, by creating its designs from marketing analysis of consumers different worlds and lifestyles. The door handles are produced by printing the designs directly onto the handle during production. This technic ensures that the designs adapt perfectly to all door handle shapes and provide a level of quality identical to OEM door handles. This method is highly flexible, giving designers great stylistic freedom when creating their designs.

8 Valeo s commitment toward enhanced air quality inside the cabin: new fragrance diffuser and Vitamin C filter Frankfurt, Germany, September 11, As people spend more and more time inside their car, the need for air purification has grown, and has become one of end-users key expectations in today s vehicles. Focusing on this new trend, Valeo announces the creation of a fragrance diffuser and a Vitamin C filter that complement its existing air quality range, for increased well-being and comfort inside the cabin. The Valeo fragrance diffuser provides a wide range of sophisticated fragrances and creates a personalized atmosphere inside the vehicle cabin. It is located in the air conditioning unit or as a stand alone module in the cabin. The Vitamin C filter offers cosmetic functions for the driver and the passengers, and acts as a skin moisturizer. These two products are part of Valeo s Air Care range. Air quality inside the vehicle cabin can be 2 to 5 times poorer than outside due to additional pollutants coming from raw material (plastics, textiles and foam), vehicle use (cigarettes, pets, food..) and generation of micro-organisms in the air conditioning system and in the cabin. To address this issue Valeo has developed new technologies to improve filter performance. Two concrete examples are the electrostatic filter that catches ultra-fine particles (not treated today by conventional filters) and the anti-allergen filter composed of a natural anti-allergen coating able to prevent allergies and asthma crisis. An innovative antiseptic product developed by Valeo helps to eliminate bad smells coming from air conditioning systems. In addition, air inside the cabin can be purified with an ion generator technology, already available on some vehicles in Japan.

9 Valeo contributes to the campaign Bester Beifahrer of the German Road Safety Council / Deutscher Verkehrssicherheitsrat (DVR) Frankfurt, Germany, September 11, 2007 Valeo, member of the German Road Safety Council (DVR) actively takes part in the campaign Bester Beifahrer which has been initiated by the DVR. The aim of the campaign is to further disseminate the advantages of Driving Assistance Systems and their contribution to vehicle safety among car drivers. Car manufacturers and suppliers have made a huge effort in developing different kind of Driving Assistance Systems and during the last years their availability has been enlarged significantly. But the market demand does not yet equal to the variety of systems that are already on the market. The reason is the lack of knowledge of the advantages of the Driving Assistance Systems which are already available. Some of these were already introduced more than a decade ago, such as Xenon / Dynamic Bending Light, others are available already for years, such as Lane Departure Warning Systems, Adaptive Cruise Control and some have already reached a relatively high level of equipment rate as for instance ESP. The German Road Safety Council launches a campaign to promote the advantages and functionality of those intelligent systems in order to enhance the awareness of the public, which will then help to contribute to make driving safer for all road users. For the different events organized by the DVR to continue to enhance the communication of the advantages of those systems, Valeo together with other suppliers in the field of Driving Assistance are supporting this initiative financially as well as through contribution in kind. During the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Valeo presents the Valeo Park4U system on open area (F10 32) in order to demonstrate how easy parallel parking can be with the right assistance.