Valeo sets up R&D test lab facility in Chennai

Valeo, the global automotive technology supplier, has set up a state-of-the-art R&D test lab facility with an investment of Rs 25 crore.

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 and functional safety design to Valeo’s global customers.

This new 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 setup, 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 in the epicenter 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.

R&D hub to increase headcount to 5,000 engineers by 2023
Present since 1997 in India, Valeo has developed a very strong Indian footprint in the last 20 years. The company today has seven production sites, one global R&D centre, two distribution platforms and two front offices to serve clients. Valeo employs over 4,000 people in India, of which nearly 50 percent are engineers.

Started in 2010 with 50 engineers at Chennai, today the R&D hub employs over 1,000 Indian engineers, leveraging their skillsets to provide efficient support in the areas of mechanical design, simulation, embedded software development, computer vision, machine learning and hardware and functional safety design to Valeo’s global customers. The division plans to increase its headcount to 5,000 engineers by 2023.