Key Takeaways
- Valeo will showcase its newest electrification, ADAS, lighting and robotics solutions at the 2026 Beijing International Auto Exhibition (Booth #B2D01, April 24‑May 3).
- The company emphasizes delivering innovation at “China Speed” by leveraging its extensive local R&D network (10 centers, >4,300 engineers) and industrial footprint.
- Notable product milestones in early 2026 include the 5‑in‑1 “Deep Integration” power module, next‑gen dual inverter, compact 5‑way refrigerant valve (CES 2026 Innovation Award), and GaN‑based on‑board chargers that boost power density.
- Valeo’s autonomous‑driving portfolio features the SCALA™ 3 Evo LIDAR (25 scans/sec) and the mass‑market Smart Safety 360 (VSS360) system enabling Highway Navigation on Autopilot (NOA).
- Immersive in‑car experiences are highlighted by Valeo Racer, an XR gaming platform that turns vehicle perception data into live gameplay, and by laser‑projection headlamps developed with Appotronics for navigation cues and outdoor entertainment.
- The Group is expanding into humanoid robotics, opening a training center in Nanjing and preparing to market automotive‑grade sensing, motion and AI solutions for robots and AGVs.
- Valeo’s China operations—22 production sites, >17,000 employees, 63% of local orders from Chinese OEMs—make it the Group’s largest market (≈15 % of total sales).
- China’s automotive market has shifted from pure volume growth to a technology‑expansion phase, with NEVs representing 50 % of passenger sales and the country exporting >7 million vehicles in 2025.
- Emerging trends such as Software‑Defined Vehicles, the “Third Living Space” concept, Silver Mobility, robotaxis, and embodied AI (humanoid robots on assembly lines) are shaping the future landscape Valeo aims to serve.
- Media are invited to a press conference and Q&A on April 25 with Song Zhou (Valeo China President) and Jianmin Gu (Valeo China CTO) at Booth #B2D01.
Valeo’s Presence at Auto China 2026
From April 24 to May 3 2026, Valeo will exhibit its latest innovations at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China) in Booth #B2D01 at the Capital International Exhibition Center (CIECC). The showcase follows the company’s strategic focus on delivering cutting‑edge technology that matches the rapid pace of the Chinese market, often referred to as “China Speed.” Valeo aims to demonstrate how its integrated systems can meet both the heightened performance expectations of domestic OEMs and the stringent global safety standards required for worldwide deployment.
CEO Christophe Périllat on China Speed
Christophe Périllat, Valeo’s CEO, described the Chinese automotive environment as a “fitness center” where speed alone is insufficient; endurance and scale have become equally critical. He stressed that automakers now need partners capable of guaranteeing both breakthrough innovation and flawless industrialization. By leveraging Valeo’s massive local footprint—10 R&D centers and over 4,300 engineers—the company can develop and industrialize solutions rapidly without compromising safety, thereby supporting established leaders and new entrants alike in China and beyond.
Electrification Advances at China Speed
Valeo’s electrification portfolio highlights several milestones achieved in early 2026. The 5‑in‑1 “Deep Integration” Module and the next‑generation dual inverter both reached start‑of‑production (SOP) record‑quickly, setting a new global benchmark for concept‑to‑industrialization cycles. The CES 2026 Innovation Award‑winning Compact 5‑Way Refrigerant Valve replaces four traditional valves, reducing weight and complexity while extending electric‑vehicle range. To further boost range, Valeo’s Predict4Range software optimizes energy consumption, delivering up to a 24 % increase. Immersive cooling technology enables 5C ultra‑fast charging (20‑80 % in 12 minutes). Space‑saving innovations such as the Valeo eSilentFlow module free up 100 mm, and GaN‑based on‑board chargers and DCDC converters with planar transformers dramatically increase power density, supporting more compact and efficient powertrains.
Autonomous & Connected Systems
As China advances toward Level 3 and higher autonomy, Valeo supplies the essential “eyes” for self‑driving vehicles. The SCALA™ 3 Evo LIDAR scans the environment 25 times per second, even when positioned behind the windshield, providing reliable perception for safe autonomous operation. Valeo is also democratizing premium safety through its Smart Safety 360 (VSS360) platform, which now supports Highway Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) for mass‑market models. Beyond safety, the Group enhances the in‑car experience with Valeo Racer—an immersive XR gaming system that uses real‑time perception data and ADAS sensors to transform journeys into interactive gameplay arenas, illustrating how autonomous sensors can serve entertainment as well as safety.
Redefining Safety and Style through Lighting
Valeo merges hardware excellence with software intelligence to create the next generation of vehicle lighting. At Auto China 2026, the Group unveils a breakthrough front‑lighting system for the Xpeng P7 that incorporates a “Coast to Coast” appliqué, producing a 1.5‑meter edge‑to‑edge light signature that delivers a bold, modern aesthetic. Through a partnership with Appotronics, Valeo introduces Color Ultra High Definition Laser Projection, turning headlamps into multifunctional tools capable of projecting navigation cues for driver assistance or delivering immersive outdoor entertainment, thereby expanding the role of lighting beyond illumination.
Entering Physical AI: Humanoid Robotics
Building on its expertise in sensing, motion, and AI, Valeo is accelerating the integration of humanoid robotics into industrial settings. The company has opened a “humanoid training center” in Nanjing to prepare these robots for deployment within its own facilities. A live demo at the Valeo booth will showcase its capabilities in this domain for the first time. Valeo also offers a comprehensive portfolio of automotive‑grade software and components—originally developed for vehicles—that can be adapted to humanoid robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Beyond internal use, the Group intends to market these solutions to external customers, signaling a strategic expansion into the broader robotics revolution.
Valeo’s Footprint in the Chinese Market
Valeo has operated in China since 1994, growing to 22 production sites, 10 R&D centers, and over 17,000 employees—including 4,300 engineers. In 2025, Chinese automakers contributed 63 % of the Group’s orders in China, making the country Valeo’s largest single market and accounting for roughly 15 % of total global sales. Song Zhou, Valeo China President, emphasized that to thrive in a consolidating market, cost‑competitiveness and technological sovereignty are essential. By localizing production of critical components such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverters and deep‑integrated power electronics, Valeo provides Chinese OEMs with around 5 % efficiency gains in their powertrains, directly improving vehicle range and lowering battery costs. The company now delivers not only hardware but also decoupled software architectures that define modern, software‑defined vehicles.
The Evolving Chinese Automotive Landscape in 2026
China’s automotive market has transitioned from a phase of radical volume scaling to one of technology expansion. In 2025, the nation produced 34 million vehicles—one‑third of global output—while new‑energy vehicles (NEVs) captured 50 % of passenger‑car sales. Total NEV volume reached 16.5 million units, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) comprising 64 % of that figure. China also exported over 7 million vehicles, establishing itself as a major global exporter. This high‑pressure environment demands extreme agility, as product cycles are now measured in months rather than years, pushing suppliers like Valeo to innovate at “China Speed.”
Key Trends Shaping the Future
Several strategic trends are redefining the Chinese automotive landscape. The rise of the Software‑Defined Vehicle (SDV) and autonomous mobility continues to accelerate. Vehicles are evolving into a “Third Living Space,” where AI companions, smart fragrances, ambient lighting, and personalized services cater to an emotion‑driven economy. The “Silver Mobility” movement addresses the needs of an aging population through specialized safety interfaces. Robotaxis have become mainstream, operating in 15 cities across China. Moreover, 2026 marks a watershed year for embodied AI, as humanoid robots begin to integrate into assembly lines, creating a convergence of wheeled and bipedal robotics that Valeo aims to support with its automotive‑grade sensor, thermal‑management, software, and AI expertise.
Media Engagement Opportunities
Members of the press are invited to attend a media event on April 25 at Booth #B2D01. The schedule includes a press conference from 12:00 to 12:30 featuring Song Zhou, Valeo China President, and Jianmin Gu, Valeo China CTO, followed by a media Q&A session from 12:30 to 13:00 with the same executives. This session will provide deeper insight into Valeo’s strategy, showcased technologies, and outlook for the Chinese and global automotive markets.