French automotive supplier Valeo Group opened a research and development facility in Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Hubei province, on April 5.
A grand opening ceremony for Valeo China Technical Center is held in Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Hubei province, April 5. [Photo/WHDZ.gov.cn]
The technical center covers about 8,000 square meters and has a staff of some 450 researchers. It comprises two centers, one on lighting technology and the other on comfort and driving assistance systems.
The lighting technology center, Valeo's largest R&D facility of that kind, will develop products and technology for automobile manufacturers in China and offer designs for clients in the US, Europe, Japan, Brazil and India.
The other center will specialize in research and development of software R&D pertaining to comfort and driving assistance systems, such as intelligent locking, automatic parking via remote control and the Scala laser scanner.
Valeo China Technical Center is the company's first investment project in China this year. It is also the largest R&D center in Central China. It will facilitate the development of WHDZ's automobile industry and help transform the zone from a manufacturer to a creator.
In 2016, Valeo sales reached 16.5 billion euros ($17.5 billion), with China contributing 14 percent of sales volume and 28 percent of sales orders.
Valeo opened its business in Wuhan in 1995 and launched a technical center in 2004. It has two factories in the WHDZ.
Officials from the WHDZ administrative committee, including Hu Yabo and Peng Hao, along with French Consul General Philippe Martinet and Valeo CEO Jacques Aschenbroich, attended the grand opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony they met to discuss future cooperation in intelligent manufacturing, culture, smart city construction, and scientific innovation.
