Valeo has broadened its footprint in China with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in Shanghai’s Waigang Industrial Park, located in the Jiading District. The site will act as both a research hub and a production base, underscoring the company’s strategy to accelerate innovation in one of the world’s most influential automotive markets.
Covering nearly 30,000 square meters, the new complex is designed to house activities across the full innovation cycle—from research and development to manufacturing. Its focus will be on ADAS-related technologies, such as lidar sensors and advanced computing systems including domain and zonal controllers. These components form the backbone of Valeo’s portfolio for the software-defined vehicle (SDV), an emerging paradigm where software plays a central role in defining a car’s functions and performance.
Speaking at the launch, Christophe Périllat, CEO of Valeo Group, highlighted why Shanghai and China more broadly remain at the center of the company’s long-term vision. “China is not only the largest automotive market in the world, but also a global leader in innovation. Shanghai, in particular, is setting the pace in areas such as software-defined vehicles, ADAS, and electrification. With this new facility, we aim to strengthen our innovation capability under the principle of ‘Invent with China’ and reinforce our commitment to supporting the transformation of the Chinese automotive industry,” he said.
China has become one of Valeo’s most critical regions, both in scale and in innovation potential. The company employs more than 18,000 people across the country, including 4,500 engineers who specialize in developing new technologies. Valeo has already established significant operations in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, where R&D is fully integrated with production, and it operates a dedicated research center in Wuhan. The addition of the new Shanghai site creates a powerful network designed to deliver rapid innovation, with local teams working hand-in-hand with global counterparts.
The technologies that will be advanced in Shanghai are considered essential for the next stage of automotive development. Lidar, for instance, provides vehicles with the ability to perceive their surroundings in three dimensions, a crucial step toward higher levels of automation and safer mobility. Similarly, zonal and domain controllers represent the shift from hardware-driven vehicles to software-centric architectures, allowing faster updates, improved efficiency, and greater flexibility for carmakers.
This investment also aligns with Valeo’s broader strategy of co-creation with Chinese stakeholders. Rather than simply producing for the local market, the company’s approach is to leverage China’s innovation ecosystem as a source of global competitiveness. The philosophy of “Invent with China” reflects a two-way exchange: bringing international expertise while embracing local creativity and speed of development.
By opening this new ADAS R&D and production center, Valeo is reinforcing its confidence in the Chinese market and reaffirming its role as a global leader in future mobility. The Shanghai facility will act as a cornerstone for innovation, supporting not only China’s automotive transformation but also Valeo’s ambition to shape a safer, smarter, and more connected driving experience worldwide.
