National Press Release

PARIS, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the fourth year in a row, Valeo ranks fourth in France by volume of patents filed, with 397 applications, according to INPI, the French National Institute of Industrial Property. Worldwide, the Group filed a total of 527 new patents in 2008, bringing its portfolio to around 25,000.

Valeo develops systems for cleaner, safer and more comfortable vehicles, and places innovation at the heart of its strategy, investing 5.5% of its sales in Research & Development every year. In 2008, new products accounted for 32% of order intake, a clear sign of automakers' interest in the Group's technologies and a growing number of vehicles are equipped with Valeo innovations. The Stop-Start system, for example, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 28% in urban traffic, is available on the Citroën C2 and C3, Mercedes A and B Classes and gasoline-engine smart models, and the automatic parking system Park4UTM will soon equip 18 vehicles.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 121 plants, 61 R&D centers, 10 distribution centers and employs 51,200 people in 27 countries worldwide.

For all additional information, please contact:

Claire Vidal Pilo, Product Press Relations, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-21-26

Antoine Balas, Corporate Press Relations, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-29-36

SOURCE Valeo Management Services