2011 Registration Document - Valeo

1 Presentation
PAGE 46
of Valeo and its businesses
Core businesses
Wiper Systems
Maintaining visual contact with the road under all
circumstances is essential if the driver is to anticipate dangers
properly. The Wiper Systems Product Group develops
technologies which, by combining efficiency and weight
reduction, clean the windshield and the rear window while
minimizing CO 2 emissions. Products from this Product Group
include:
latest generation flat/traditional arm and blade sets for
automakers’ original equipment and the aftermarket;
fu lly electronic wiper systems using direct drive blades or
with mechanisms;
windshield washing and de-icing systems;
rear wiper modules with built-in washing;
the AquaBlade ® system, which ensures perfect road
visibility in all driving conditions and a significant reduction
in the weight of the windshield wash er system.
Wiper Motors
The main characteristics of Valeo wiper motors are
standardization, range coverage, innovative vehicle installation
solutions, integrated electronics and reduction of weight and
energy consumption. These systems include:
a new line of electronic wiper motors rolled out worldwide,
offering a range of solutions adapted to the latest vehicle
architectures;
a line of rear window wiper motors for simplified vehicle
integration.
2011 highlights
Visibility Systems ended 2011 with its sights on pursuing its
growth strategy worldwide. Production operations continued
to grow, with the expansion of production sites and new
openings over the year including in Russia, Romania and
Morocco. Valeo continues to expand around the world,
particularly with its acquisition of an 80% shareholding in the
Chinese company Wuhu Ruby Automotive Lighting Systems.
2011 Registration D ocument - VALEO
Market trends
The visibility systems market has been influenced by two
major trends: automakers’ widespread implementation
of lighting systems with LED low beams and growing
interest in electronic wiper systems.
LED lighting systems will gradually replace halogen and
xenon lighting technologies . This change to LED is one of
the major trends in the automotive market that involves
reducing energy consumption and improving driver comfort .
LED lighting offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of style,
allowing automakers to create unique lighting solutions to
differentiate brand identity.
To seize their new opportunities, Valeo is developing three
major lines of LED lighting technology – LED low beam
headlamps, modular LED solutions and customized selective
headlamps.
Valeo is also developing fu lly electronic wiper systems using
direct drive blades or with mechanisms, responding to
growing interest in the market for wiper systems that offer
more precise and quieter wipers.
Thanks to its full range of innovative lighting and wiper
systems – lighting systems with LED low beams, LED front
and rear signaling systems, LED fog lamp s and electronic
wiper systems, the AquaBlade ® system, etc. – Valeo is
already a major player in these two market segments, ranking
number two in the lighting systems market and number one
in the wiper systems market.
The presence of Valeo’s visibility systems in high-growth
markets is a key factor for the Group’s success and that of
the Business Group, which aims to strengthen its position in
Asian markets.