Valeo plans to build a new factory in Gujarat, India

According to the Hindu Business Line, French supplier Valeo is considering building a new factory in Sanand, Gujarat, India.

Valeo currently manufactures clutches, brake materials and lighting system components at its Chennai plant in India, and produces safety system products, starter motors and alternators at its Pune plant. Valeo expects to start the construction of the Sanand plant as soon as possible, so that the plant will be put into production in 2013.

Valeo India Chairman and General Manager P. R. Dhaamodharan stated that Valeo expects to produce wiper systems, compressors and air conditioning system products in India in 2013.

Dhaamodharan said that the construction of a new plant in India is mainly to increase Valeo's local productivity in India, to avoid the impact of global economic turmoil and other factors, but also to meet the specific needs of local Indian customers.

Valeo's R&D center in Chennai, India, is developing starter motors and alternators for small cars that are expected to be available next year to meet the needs of the Indian and South American markets.