On April 5, Valeo opened its large R&D center in central China, the "Valeo China Technology Center", which is a professional investment project completed by Valeo in China this year. As the world's top 500 Valeo, the technology center will become an important pillar of Valeo's intensive innovation in the field of light technology and comfort and driving assistance systems, taking root in China and serving the world.
The newly opened Valeo China Technology Center is located in Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Center, covering an area of about 8000 square meters. It has a research and development team of about 450 people and 8 elite experts, mainly composed of two parts: the light technology center and the comfort and driving assistance system technology center.
"Valeo China Technology Center - Lamp Technology Center" is the largest lamp design and automotive lighting technology development center of Valeo in China, with 8 technology research and development experts and a research and development team of 400 people. Valeo has invested various advanced computer equipment, workstations, service stations and high-value development software here, and established a series of optical, electronic, simulation and simulation laboratories and sample rooms. After opening, the center mainly undertakes the mission of "integrating the group's innovative technologies with the needs of the Chinese market, and developing and designing intelligent lamp technologies and products for automobile manufacturers in China". At the same time, the technology center also provides design support for Valeo's projects in major global automotive markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, Brazil and India.
"Valeo China Technology Center - Comfort and Driving Assistance System Technology Center" will focus on the software development of comfort and driving assistance systems. It is an extension of the R&D center of Valeo Shenzhen Comfort and Driving Assistance Business Unit and the global electronic R&D center. It will become an important base for the Group's Comfort and Driving Assistance Business Unit to attract talents and cultivate the market in China. At present, the technology center has a research and development team of more than 40 people, and is expected to expand 150 people by the end of 2017.
Jacques Ashenbwa, Chairman and Executive Officer of the Board of Directors of Valeo Group
Jacques Ashenbova, Chairman and Executive Officer of the Board of Directors of Valeo Group, said: "Paying attention to emerging markets with high growth potential is one of Valeo's two core development strategies. China, as a large and rapidly developing automobile market in the world, is undoubtedly the top priority of Valeo's future development. We will make full use of Wuhan's geographical advantages, market environment, industrial heritage and human resources, further consolidate the Group's global leadership in the field of lights and comfort and driving assistance systems, and promote China to become a Valeo serves as an innovative 'engine' for the global market, accumulating potential for future sustainable growth. "
In the global automotive market, Valeo is a major supplier of automotive light systems, automotive driving assistance systems, interior control systems and telematics systems. In the wave of automation, intelligence and interconnection of the global automotive industry, Valeo has maintained the pace of rapid development with innovative technologies.
It is understood that in 2016, the Group's total sales reached 16.5 billion euros, an increase of 14% compared with 2015; Among them, the auxiliary sales of the OEMs reached 14.4 billion euros, an increase of 14%, 8 percentage points higher than the growth rate of the global automobile manufacturing industry. In addition, driven by strong technological innovation, the group's order volume rose by 23.6 billion euros, up 17%. In 2016, Valeo Group performed particularly well in China, with the auxiliary sales of the main engine plants exceeding 2 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 22%, 8 percentage points higher than the average market growth rate. The Chinese market contributed 28% of the group's order volume, 42% of which came from local automobile manufacturers.
In the future, Valeo Group will continue to strengthen its investment in R&D and optimize the innovative product matrix. In 2016, the Group's total R&D investment increased by 22%, accounting for more than 11% of the OEM's supporting sales. The innovative technology products developed by the Group have won favor in the global market. In 2016, 50% of the group's new orders came from innovative products. This shows that Valeo has the strength of structural growth and continues to develop the global automobile manufacturing industry.