National Press Release

TROY, Mich., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Altair Engineering, Inc., a leading global provider of technology and services that empower client innovation and decision-making, announced today that PSA Peugeot Citroen has expanded its use of HyperShape/CATIA, Altair's embedded optimization solution for the CATIA V5 design community. HyperShape/CATIA helps frontload the development process with optimization technology so that non finite-element experts, such as construction engineers working with CATIA, can develop structurally efficient, high-performance products faster. At PSA Peugeot Citroen the software is principally used to optimize different kinds of brackets in engine perimeter, and the aim of PSA Peugeot Citroen is to extend this use to other fields, like suspension systems components.

"In 2000, PSA needed a CATIA V5 integrated pre- and post-processing solution to optimize new products using Altair OptiStruct," said Julien Guye, responsible for HyperShape/CATIA and OptiStruct at PSA Peugeot Citroen. "Altair developed HyperShape/CATIA, which was implemented in our development process and is increasingly used today."

"HyperShape/CATIA is very well suited to perform optimization studies, in initial development stages, within the CATIA environment using OptiStruct. The CAD-integrated FEA solution, HyperShape/CATIA, allows us to use the same environment to perform CAD-based pre-processing tasks, submit OptiStruct calculations, retrieve results for post-processing, implement design changes according to the optimization results, and much more. HyperShape/CATIA is a good solution for our development process because it is an efficient and easy to use tool and enables even non-specialists in our development team to carry out optimization calculations and benefit from the results," he adds.

"CAE driven design is one of our philosophies at Altair, and weight reduction is a top priority in the automotive industry," said Mauro Guglielminotti, Managing Director, Altair Engineering, France. "HyperShape/CATIA is a critical enabler for integrated optimization because it helps CATIA V5 design engineers leverage CAE earlier in the design process to bring products to market faster. I'm very pleased to see PSA Peugeot Citroen, a recognized automotive innovator, adopt and expand their use of HyperShape/CATIA to drive their development process and leadership position in the automotive industry."

About HyperShape/CATIA

HyperShape/CATIA is the direct process integration of Dassault Systemes CATIA V5 design environment and Altair's OptiStruct design optimization technology. HyperShape/CATIA generates structurally optimal design concepts, from supplied packaging information to loads, constraints and product performance requirements. Typically used before CAD design, HyperShape/CATIA helps CATIA V5 designers develop lightweight, high-performance design proposals. With HyperShape/CATIA technology, companies can achieve product and business objectives significantly faster than by using conventional design practices.

About PSA Peugeot Citroen

PSA Peugeot Citroen is a European automotive group with international reach and boasts two generalist brands: Peugeot and Citroen. Commercially located in 150 countries, the Group makes a third of its sales outside Western Europe and is expanding its business in high-growth markets, notably in China, South America and Russia. In 2007, PSA Peugeot Citroen sold 3,233,000 units.

As Europe's leading producer of low-emission vehicles, the Group innovates to offer its customers vehicles which combine the pleasure of driving and respect for the environment. It also dedicates a large part of its research efforts to improving road safety. For more information please visit www.psa-peugeot-citroen.com.

About Altair

Altair Engineering, Inc. empowers client innovation and decision-making through technology that optimizes the analysis, management and visualization of business and engineering information. Privately held with more than 1,300 employees, Altair has offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. With a 20-year-plus track record for enterprise analytics, product development, and advanced computing, Altair consistently delivers a competitive advantage to customers in a broad range of industries. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.

SOURCE Altair Engineering, Inc.