Valeo is a French automotive components manufacturer.

The Société Anonyme Française du Ferodo was founded in 1923 in Saint-Ouen, a suburb of Paris. It first distributed brake linings and clutch facings under license of Ferodo UK. The society engaged in a diversification in the 1960’s by producing braking systems (1961), thermal systems (1962), electronical components (1963), and lightning systems (1970). In May 1980, the society was renamed Valeo, which means “I am well” in Latin.

Valeo then engaged in an aggressive strategy of expansion, through many international acquisitions. Today, Valeo is split in 11 branches, most of which were bought from foreign competitors. Recent acquisitions include the engine systems division of Johnson Controls in France, and a former Visteon plant in the USA.