2011 Registration Document - Valeo

1 Presentation
PAGE 42
of Valeo and its businesses
Core businesses
the driver with perfect visibility behind the vehicle and a
precise indication of distances;
the radars form part of the blind spot detection systems
and the systems that detect vehicles when reversing out of
a parking space with limited visibility. These systems warn
the driver when a vehicle is present in one of the blind spots
on either side of the vehicle;
cameras offer total vision around the vehicle with the
360Vue® multi-camera system. Front cameras give a view
in front of the vehicle at a blind crossing or on leaving a
parking lot.
Emergency braking features for urban environments will also
be enhanced with new technology such as laser scanners.
These assistance systems make driving safer in urban
environments and help reduce CO emissions by eas ing the
2
flow of traffic.
Interior Electronics
Interior Electronics covers the full range of access and
start systems: remote controls, receivers and immobilizers,
hands-free entry and start systems which are experiencing
strong growth on all markets.
This Product Group also offers innovative systems capable
of communicating with the car by radio frequency within
several hundred meters. The Key Bridge, a smart phone
compatible key, connects the vehicle for example to a
cell phone. Using this interface, the smart phone receives
information selected by the driver and allows the driver to
change certain configurations. For instance, the driver can
adjust his/her seat to a preselected position or turn on the
air conditioning if it is extremely hot. Interior Electronics also
includes body controllers , which equip vehicles of the PSA
and Renault-Nissan groups.
Access Mechanisms
The Valeo Access Mechanisms Product Group offers
solutions that bring together safety and intuitive vehicle
access. This Product Group is a worldwide player with a
strong leadership position in Europe, South America and
India, as well as an important foothold in China and North
America, and new operations in Russia. The Product Group’s
portfolio covers the entire range of mechatronic access
systems and components, in particular:
handles, which can be adapted using many shapes or
finishes, and all types of locks for doors, tailgates, trunks
and the steering column. In addition to well-crafted style,
Valeo’s solutions offer compatibility with the latest access
features (e.g., smart keys) and comply with the strictest
safety and security requirements worldwide;
2011 Registration D ocument - VALEO
latche s and motorized opening and closing systems. These
products are an integral part of the body of the vehicle and
have evolve d to meet the growing demands of automakers
for modular standardization. The design of these products
can be adapted, and today covers entry-level models
(optimized costs and weight) all the way up to premium
models (differentiation through innovative features).
2011 highlights
The Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems Business
Group multiplied the value of its new orders outside
Europe by 2.7. This performance is in line with the major
priorities of the Group’s strategy.
The results recorded in 2011 are linked to a major order
placed by a European automaker for a new humanmachine
interface design.
Valeo also strengthened its foothold in top column modules
in China, including with national automakers.
Valeo confirmed it position as the worldwide leader in the
driving assistance segment with significant new orders for
parking assistance products. This performance was driven
by the Park4U ® (semi-automatic parking) system, which is
the current reference.
In the radar segment, following its first order in South Korea
for the blind spot detection feature, Valeo is now developing
systems based on this technology with automakers in
North America, South Korea, Japan and Europe.
As regards camera systems, Valeo strengthened its position
for its multi-camera 360Vue ® systems and for multifunction
front cameras with significant orders, especially in Europe
and the United States.
Significant new orders were also recorded during the year,
for steering sensors particularly in the Chinese, American
and European markets.
Business related to interior electronics was driven by new
orders placed by a Chinese automaker for a hands-free
access and start system.
A major order was also recorded in China for body
controllers .
Access mechanisms were a big success in 2011, recording
a record year for orders in terms of volume, geographic
spread and the diversity of customers. A number of
agreements were signed for handles and locks, especially
rear access modules, expanding the scope of tailgate
handles to include other features (license plate lighting,
cameras, etc.). Valeo also received a major worldwide order
for folding keys and locks with flexible coatings for various
brands and models for one of the top three automakers
worldwide.