China: Valeo CEO calls China 'fitness center' for global auto industry.

Storyline Valeo CEO calls China 'fitness center' for global auto industry French auto parts supplier Valeo has doubled down on its commitment to China, comparing it to a "fitness center" for auto innovation, technology and competitiveness. During a recent visit to the offices of an EV maker in Beijing, Valeo CEO Christophe Perillat explained that because China is at the vanguard of the electric vehicle industry, working and learning from companies here was a bit like going to the gym Christophe Perillat, CEO, Valeo: "So right to say that I call the Chinese auto market as the fitness center of the automotive industry. And the reason for that, that's the place where you find the highest level of innovation, the highest level of competitiveness and the highest speed. This is what it's like a fitness center where you run every single hour of every single day. Matching the demand of this market requires to be very fit, and when it comes to value, it means being even more Chinese." The CEO said global suppliers are now deeply embedded in China's innovation ecosystem, and that long-term investment in the country remains essential for staying competitive. Christophe Perillat, CEO, Valeo: "Looking at the last five years, we have invested 26 billion RMB in China, which is equivalent to the sales of one year. So you see we are extremely committed to China and we have massively invested in China. Looking at last year 2025 in China, among all the orders that we booked, more than 80 percent of these orders have been booked with Chinese OEMs." The French auto parts maker first entered China in 1994 and now employs over 18,000 people across 27 production plants and 13 research and development centers. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]