PARIS, France, July 14th 2006 – Under the Valeo Adds Style slogan, Valeo Service, one of the world's leading automotive aftermarket specialists, presents new product design studies for the MINI, on show at the forthcoming MINI CHALLENGE at the Nevers Magny-Cours race circuit. The vehicle will be exhibited at the Support Race Paddock in the MINI CHALLENGE Paddock tent.

Valeo Service, long-standing partner of the MINI CHALLENGE, will exhibit proposals for rear lamps, door handles and vehicle keys to enhance and personalize the MINI. All three products exhibited are customized with a select checker design, symbol of the winner's chequered flag. From the initial checker design concept, two other motifs - the Union Jack and Black Jack – were developed for the door handles and keys. The checker and Union Jack design styles are already used by MINI for customization of the roof and wing mirrors on current models.

Thanks to Valeo technology, the original product functionalities of the rear lamp, door handle and key are not altered, thus enabling optimum performance to be accompanied by style. The checker design is integrated onto the door handles and rear lamps using an advanced thermo-transfer technique, which allows great design flexibility.

As a leading manufacturer of door handles to the worlds car manufacturers, Valeo proposes for the aftermarket, original equipment quality parts that comply with the strictest OE specifications. Out of the three MINI lifestyle design studies, the customized door handles will be soon available to enthusiasts through the MINI network.

Valeo Service supplies high quality parts and services to both OES and IAM markets. Valeo Service is supported by the expertise of the Group's twelve industrial branches and their leading positions in the Original Equipment market. Valeo Service has one of the most extensive offers for the aftermarket with 176 product ranges covering 12 product functions for passenger and commercial vehicles. www.valeoservice.com

Press contact: Victoria Marshall - Valeo Service
Tel.: + 33 (0)1 49 45 36 90
e-mail: victoria.marshall@valeo.com