Valeo Wins Two PACE Awards

Valeo emerged as the only company to win two PACE awards this year. The French company received the awards for its SCALA laser scanner and its new natural refrigerant air-conditioning system.
Valeo’s SCALA is the only mass-produced laser scanner that is currently offered in the automotive segment. It has already been launched on a first vehicle model, and can significantly support automated driving with its ability to offer a wide field of vision (145°) and to detect both moving and stationary objects up to a distance of 150 meters irrespective of weather or light conditions.

The company’s R-744 air-conditioning system is one which can work without the aid of chemical refrigerants and is truly a world first. It has been launched as an option on two vehicle models and when compared to conventional systems can extend electric vehicle autonomy by up to 30%, when operating in temperatures as low as -20°C.

Valeo had been chosen as a finalist for three PACE awards. Another Valeo product that was chosen as a finalist but did not get the award was the company’s 48V belt-driven starter-alternator, which it says offers the most economical method that is currently available for automakers to offer hybrid technology on their vehicles.

Valeo received the awards at the 2018 Automotive News PACE Awards ceremony which was held on April 9, at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. The company has won several PACE Awards over the past few years for technologies like the its Electric Supercharger and Water-cooled Condenser in 2016 and its EG Efficiency Alternator in 2015.