Valeo, the global automotive technology supplier has set-up a state-of-the-art R&D Test Lab facility with an investment of Rs 250 Million. The 15,000 square feet facility at Navalur, Chennai will further strengthen the technical competence of Valeo’s R&D function and house the test labs of Valeo’s Hardware, Mechanical and India Business R&D divisions.
The R&D facility in Chennai has emerged as a global software development hub for the Valeo Group that offers complete products conception capabilities to providing efficient support in the areas of Mechanical Design, Simulation, Embedded Software Development, Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Hardware & Functional Safety Design to Valeo’s global customers.
This newly set-up Test Lab facility will provide testing and prototype services to Valeo sites across the globe, supporting Valeo’s Business and Product Groups. The R&D lab in Chennai will also enable the Group to locally design and develop solutions for Valeo’s Indian customers.
Commenting on the Test Lab Set-up, Ashok Belani, Group President and Managing Director, Valeo - India, said, “The growth potential of the Indian auto sector and the availability of engineering talent pool, makes India a key market for Valeo’s future growth. Started in 2010, the Chennai facility has now become a key contributor and our investment towards the Test Lab is a strategic step for strengthening our capabilities to enhance the value that we provide to our customers.”
Globally, Valeo is at the epicentre of three automotive revolutions (electrification, digital mobility and autonomous cars) and developing a wide range of innovative products that are positioning the company as a technological leader in the global marketplace.
Present since 1997 in India, Valeo has developed a very strong Indian footprint in the last 20 years. Valeo today has seven Production Sites, one global R&D center, two Distribution Platforms, two Front offices to serve clients. Valeo employs 4,000 + people in India, of which nearly 50% are engineers.
Started in 2010 with 50 engineers at Chennai, today the R&D hub employs 1000 + immensely talented Indian engineers. The division plans to increase its headcount to 5000 engineers by 2023.