Valeo Group | 7 Sep, 2021 | 2 min
Valeo, leader in ADAS sensors and related functional software, with a major electronics expertise, and Leoni, leading supplier of wiring systems and power distribution, synergize their strengths to bring the best in class solution for zone controllers, key elements of the future vehicles.
Valeo and Leoni see a big interest in the market for zone controllers and are already in close exchange with several European OEMs. With the combined expertise the two cooperation partners are ready for RFQ (request for quote).
Vehicle architecture is set to evolve significantly in the coming years to meet the demands of vehicles that become more autonomous, connected and electric, increasingly equipped with ADAS, sensors, connectivity, electronics and software. These vehicles will communicate more and more with each other and with the infrastructure.
Zone controllers will be the nerve centers of these new vehicle architectures, real hubs of connectivity, data relay and consolidation, centralization of electronic controls and intelligent power management.
By combining their respective expertise today, Valeo, acting as Tier 1, and Leoni, acting as Tier 2, are aiming for a leading position in the field of zone controllers, with cutting-edge, easy-to-integrate technology that will meet the challenges of future generations of vehicles.
Valeo and Leoni’s solution, for which pre-development has already begun, will enable more intelligence, more functionality and more power capacity to be embedded in the vehicle, while reducing overall complexity, the amount of wiring required, and therefore weight and cost. The technology developed by Valeo and Leoni will also optimize power distribution and provide safe power supply for e.g. automated driving.
Valeo, the world leader in driver assistance systems, has unique know-how in sensors, with the most comprehensive portfolio on the market, and in electronic control units and associated software, with more than 6,000 engineers specialized in software. Valeo will contribute its expertise in systems engineering, software development and validation systems. A dedicated organization has been set within Valeo to drive zone controllers business considered as strategic.
Leoni, as a leading supplier of wiring systems, has the holistic view on vehicles electric architecture to master the power distribution. The deep knowledge on development, optimization and manufacturing of wiring systems and power distribution components allows creating advanced solutions. Adding intelligent solutions enables a safe and reliable power supply, which modern cars architectures rely on to provide advanced driving and safety functionality. With the development of intelligent power distribution solutions, Leoni will provide innovative power electronics to the zone controller.
“Through this cooperation, Leoni and Valeo have all the assets to become the world leader in the field of zone controllers, one of the major technological challenges of tomorrow’s vehicles,” said Marc Vrecko, President, Valeo Comfort & Driving Assistance Systems Business Group.
“Zonal Architecture will play a key role in the future electrical vehicle architecture and are strongly linked to the core products of Leoni. The strong competences from Valeo and Leoni, on each of their areas, have a perfect match and will enable us to take a leading role in the market for Zone Controllers” is Walter Glück, Chief Technology Officer Leoni Wiring Systems Division, convinced.
About Valeo
Valeo is an automotive supplier, partner to all automakers worldwide. As a technology company, Valeo proposes innovative products and systems that contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and to the development of intuitive driving. At June 30, 2021, Valeo had 184 plants, 20 research centers, 42 development centers and 15 distribution platforms, and employed 104,000 people in 33 countries worldwide. Valeo is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.
About Leoni
Leoni is a global provider of products and solutions for energy and data management in the automotive sector and other industries. The value chain encompasses wires, optical fibers, standardized cables and special cables through to custom-developed wiring systems and related components as well as services. As an innovation partner and solutions provider, Leoni supports its customers with pronounced development and systems expertise. The market-listed group of companies employs about 100,000 people in 30 countries and generated consolidated sales of EUR 4.1 billion in 2020.