Valeo: Net Income of 365 Million Euros in 2010, or 3.8% of Sales; Operational Performance Ahead of the Strategic Plan Presented in March 2010

Paris (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Second half 2010:
- Sales of 4,845 million euros, up by 20%
- Operating margin level(1) at 6.7% of sales
- Net income of 197 million euros, at 4.1% of sales
- Full year 2010:
- Sales of 9,632 million euros, up by 28%
- Operating margin level(1) at 6.4% of sales
- Net income Group share of 365 million euros, or 3.8 % of sales
- Net earnings per share at 4.86 euros
- ROCE(4) higher than 32%
- Strong generation of net cash flow(2) of 440 million euros
- Decrease in net debt(3) of 444 million euros, at 278 million
euros at December 31, 2010
- Record level of order intake of 12.5 billion euros
- Proposed payment of dividend of 1.20 euros per share
- 2011 Outlook:
- Forecast growth of global automotive market of 5%
- Objective: Valeo's outperformance versus the market in its
main regions of production
- Operating margin level(1) expected in 2011 slightly higher
than that of 2010

The Valeo Board of Directors, meeting on February 24, 2011,
approved the consolidated annual financial statements for the period
ending December 31, 2010*:

2009 2010
Sales (MEUR) 7,499 9,632
of which OE sales (MEUR) 6,029 7,952
Operating margin(1) (in % of 1.8% 6.4%
sales)
EBITDA(5) (in % of sales ) 8.9% 11.9%
Net income Group share (MEUR) (153) 365
Net income Group share (in % of -2.0% 3.8%
sales )
Net earnings per share (EUR) (2.04) 4.86
Net cash flow(2) (MEUR) 99 440
Net financial debt(3) (MEUR) 722 278
ROCE(4) 7% 32%

Jacques Aschenbroich, Valeo's Chief Executive Officer, declared:

"Our 2010 results, with an operational performance ahead of the
objectives set in the plan presented in early 2010, underline the
pertinence of our strategy. Moreover, our medium-term growth
prospects, based on a record order intake level, the rising
importance of innovative products developed by Valeo, and the Group's
ability to regularly outperform its main markets, make us confident
in our ability to achieve and sustain one of the best levels of
return on capital employed in our sector."

*At the date of this press release, the consolidated financial
statements for 2010 had been audited by the Statutory Auditors
Second half 2010 results

Global passenger car production continued to recover in the
second half of 2010, achieving 12% growth versus the second half of
2009.

Benefiting from a favorable automotive environment and from the
outperformance of its original equipment activity on its main
markets, the Group recorded in the second half of 2010 consolidated
sales of 4,845 million euros, up by 15% on a like-for-like basis:

- Original equipment sales amounted to 3,995 million euros (82%
of consolidated sales). Compared with the second half of 2009,
passenger car original equipment sales rose by 16% (like-for-like);
- Aftermarket sales totaled 723 million euros (15% of consolidated
sales), up by 12% versus the second half of 2009.
In million euros H2 2009 H2 2010 Change
2010/2009
Sales 4,027 4,845 +20%
Like-for-like +15%*
Original
equipment 3,286 3,995 +16%*
Aftermarket 626 723 +12%*
Miscellaneous 115 127 +5%*

* like-for-like

In the second half, the gross margin stood at 879 million euros,
or 18.1% of sales.

The operating margin(1) amounted to 325 million euros in the
second half of 2010, or 6.7% of sales.

EBITDA(5) therefore totaled 586 million euros, or 12.1% of sales.

Net income in the second half showed a profit of 197 million
euros, or 4.1% of sales.

In the second half of 2010, the Group generated a net cash
flow(2) of 199 million euros.

Net financial debt(3) was brought down to 278 million euros at
December 31, 2010 versus 438 million euros at June 30, 2010.
Simplified consolidated results for full-year 2010

Million euros 2009* 2010* Change
Sales 7,499 9,632 +28%
Gross margin 1,138 1,735 +52%
% of sales 15.2% 18.0% +2.8 pts
Operating margin(1) 133 617 +364%
% of sales 1.8% 6.4% +4.6 pts
EBITDA(5) 670 1,150 +72%
% of sales 8.9% 11.9% +3 pts
Operating income 84 590 +602%
% of sales 1.1% 6.1% +5.0 pts
Income from non-strategic
operations 0 0 na
Net income Group share (153) 365 na
Net earnings per share (2.04) 4.86 na
(continued operations) (EUR)
Free cash flow 155 527 +240%
Net cash flow(2) 99 440 +344%
Net financial debt(3) 722 278 -61%

*Audited

In 2010, the order intake / original equipment sales ratio
reached a record level at December 31, 2010 of 1.6 times sales (or
12.5 billion euros, versus 9.2 billion euros at December 31, 2009)
with a consistent performance among the different Business Groups.

Global automotive production rose by 25% (annualized) to reach
74.0 million vehicles, exceeding the pre-crisis level (70.2 million
vehicles in 2007). This performance is mainly the result of a dynamic
Asian market, in particular the Chinese market, as automotive
production in Europe and North America remained below pre-crisis
levels.

Group consolidated sales in 2010 totaled 9,632 million euros, up
by 28% (+24% on a like-for-like basis):

- In 2010, Valeo's original equipment sales outperformed
automotive production in its main regions of production:
Passenger car 2009 2010 Change Change Automotive
OE sales In production
million euros 2010 / 2009 (like-for-like)
Europe &
Africa 3,713 4,472 +20% +20% +15%
Asia and
others 985 1,461 +48% +36% +28%
North America 589 995 +69% +60% +39%
South America 474 601 +27% +8% +12%
- Aftermarket sales amounted to 1,445 million euros, up by 14% on a
like-for-like basis.
In million euros 2009 2010 Change
2010/2009
Sales 7,499 9,632 +28%
Like-for-like +24%
Original
equipment 6,029 7,952 +27%*
Aftermarket 1,242 1,445 +14%*
Miscellaneous 228 235 -4%*

*like-for-like

Thanks to Valeo's dynamic sales in the Asian region (+36% for the
full-year), the Group's geographical mix continued its rebalancing
trend: in 2010, Asia accounted for 19% of the Group's passenger car
original equipment sales versus 13% before the crisis. At the same
time, sales in Europe and Africa accounted for 60% versus 67% before
the crisis.

The Group also recorded outstanding performance with its German
and Asian customers, which now account for 28% and 22% of Valeo's
original equipment sales, respectively (versus 24% and 18%,
respectively, before the crisis).

Each Business Group's performance was in line with or exceeded
that of global automotive production (+ 24%)

Sales 2009 2010 Change Change
In million euros 2010 / 2009 OE sales*
Comfort and Driving 1,344 1,704 +27% +27%
Assistance Systems
Powertrain Systems 2,011 2,683 +33% +31%
Thermal Systems 2,258 2,933 +30% +23%
Visibility Systems 1,938 2,354 +21% +24%

*Like-for-like

Thanks to higher sales, improved productivity and optimized
investments, the Group recorded an improvement in its gross margin
level, at 18% of sales (or 1,735 million euros) versus 15.2% in 2009,
despite the 100 bp negative impact of raw material costs.

Research and development expenses, particularly in the area of
CO2 emissions reduction, totaled 537 million euros, or 5.6% of sales.

Thanks in particular to the implementation of the new
organization, administrative and selling expenses amounted to 581
million euros, or 6% of sales (versus 7.1% during the same period in
2009).

The Group's operating margin(1) therefore totaled 617 million
euros, or 6.4% of sales.

EBITDA(5) amounted to 1,150 million euros, or 11.9% of sales.

All Business Groups contributed to improving the Group's
operational performance in 2010.

EBITDA(5) 2009 2010 Change
% of sales 2010 / 2009
Comfort and Driving 7.9 11.5 +3.6 pts
Assistance Systems
Powertrain Systems 10.3 11.1 +0.8 pt
Thermal Systems 8.0 12.5 +4.5 pts
Visibility Systems 7.5 11.2 +3.7 pts

Other income and expenses totaled -27 million euros, or -0.3% of
sales, including, among others, provisions for social costs related
to the implementation of the new organization announced in March
2010. The Group's operating income amounted to 590 million euros, or
6.1% of sales.

The cost of net financial debt was 67 million euros, up by 12%
versus the same period in 2009. Other income and expenses showed a
net expense of 32 million euros.

Income before taxes showed a profit of 490 million euros versus a
loss of 67 million euros during the same period in 2009.

The effective tax rate was 21% thanks to a favorable impact in
certain countries.

After taking into account the minority interests' share of 19
million euros during the period, the net income Group share stood at
365 million euros, or 3.8% of sales, versus a loss of 153 million
euros during the same period in 2009.

The Group's improved operational performance combined with the
optimization of investments and the strict management of working
capital, enabled Valeo to generate a net cash flow(2) of 440 million
euros in 2010.

This strong generation of cash enabled the Group to significantly
lower the level of its net financial debt(3) to 278 million euros at
December 31, 2010.

The leverage ratio (net financial debt(3) / EBITDA(5)) was down,
to 0.2 times EBITDA(5). The gearing ratio (net financial debt(3) /
net shareholders' equity excluding minority interests) stood at 16%
of equity (59% at December 31, 2009).

Recent events

Acquisition of Niles: Valeo signs agreement to purchase the
Japanese company Niles

Valeo announced on February 23, 2011 the signing of an agreement
with RHJ International SA and Nissan to acquire Niles, a Japanese
automotive supplier which would reinforce Valeo's Comfort and Driving
Assistance Systems Business Group. The transaction amounts to 320
million euros (enterprise value). With this acquisition, Valeo would
strengthen its position in Asia (Japan, China, Thailand) and with
Japanese automakers, particularly Nissan. The Group would thus become
world leader in the automotive Human-Machine Interface market. This
external growth project, with accretive effect from the first year,
is within the framework of the strategy presented to the Group's
shareholders in 2010, aiming to reinforce Valeo's presence in Asia.

The agreement is subject to various preconditions, such as
approval of the anti-trust authorities, before it enters into effect.

Evolution of the share capital

The company Pardus Investments Sarl declared that it had crossed
on January 12, 2011 under the threshold of 5% of Valeo's share
capital, holding 4.96% of the capital and 4.82% of the voting rights.

2011 Outlook

In 2011, Valeo forecasts an increase in global automotive
production automobile of 5%, broken down by region as follows:

- Europe, 0%;
- Asia, +5%;
- North America, +8%;
- South America, +7%.

Based on the above market hypotheses, indexation clauses and raw
material hedging in place, Valeo sets as its objectives for 2011:

- outperformance versus the market of its original equipment
sales in the main regions of production;
- an operating margin level for the full-year slightly higher than
that of 2010.

Valeo Investor Day

An Investor Day will be held on March 9, 2011 in Paris.

Annual General Shareholders' Meeting notice

It will be proposed to the Annual General Shareholders' Meeting
to be held on June 8, 2011 to pay a dividend of 1.20 euros per share
for the year 2010.

It will also be proposed to renew as Board Members Jacques
Aschenbroich, Gerard Blanc, Pascal Colombani, Michel de Fabiani,
Michael Jay, Helle Kristoffersen and Georges Pauget, whose terms of
office are set to expire.

Finally, it will be proposed to appoint Ulrike Steinhorst as a
new Board Member. Mrs Steinhorst is Director of the Cabinet of the
Chief Executive Officer of EADS.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the
design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and
modules for the automotive industry, mainly for CO2 emissions
reduction. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers.
The Group has 109 plants, 20 Research centers, 38 Development
centers, 10 distribution platforms and employs 58,000 people in 27
countries worldwide.

Glossary

(1) Operating income less other income and expenses

(2) Net cash flow corresponds to free cash flow less financial
expenses and after taking into account the payment of dividends and
financial flows relating to mergers and acquisitions.

(3) Net financial debt includes all long-term financial debts,
short-term credits and bank overdrafts, less loans and other
long-term financial assets, cash and cash equivalents

(4) Operating margin/capital employed less goodwill calculated
over the last 12 months

(5) EBITDA corresponds to operating income before amortization of
tangible and intangible assets and depreciation.

For more information about the Valeo Group and its activities,
please visit our website http://www.valeo.com

"Safe Harbor" statement

Statements contained in this report, which are not historical
fact, constitute "Forward-Looking Statements". Actual results may
differ materially due to numerous important factors. Such factors
include, among others, the cost and timing of implementing
restructuring actions, the company's ability to generate cost savings
or manufacturing efficiencies to offset or exceed contractually or
competitively required price reductions, conditions in the automotive
industry, and certain global and regional economic conditions. The
company assumes no responsibility for any analysts' estimates and any
other information prepared by third parties which we may reference in
this report. Valeo does not intend or assume any obligation to review
or confirm analysts' estimates or to update any forward-looking
statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this
report.

ots Originaltext: Valeo
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For additional information, please contact: Fabienne deBrebisson,
Group Communications Vice-President, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-20-65;Thierry
Lacorre, Investor Relations Director, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-20-39