The automotive industry in the Val d'Oise

371companies (manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, distributors and engineering companies) employing a total of around 75 000 people
– 11.7% of all employees in the region
– are involved in the Val d'Oise automotive industry.

 They include some leading equipment manufacturers (Johnson Controls, Valeo, and Autoliv) and subsidiaries of major accounts (PSA and Renault), working with a rich and highly effective network of subcontractors, particularly in the field of precision mechanics (ABB) as well as electronics and software development (Thalès, Sagem)

THE RISE OF MECHATRONICS
 The mechatronics industry is well represented in the Val d'Oise by companies located in the département (Faurecia, Dassault Systems, PSA, Renault, Sagem Défense Sécurité, Thalès and Valeo) and their subcontracting SMEs. This industry is at the heart of one of the areas of strategic business in the Mov'eo competitiveness cluster (cf. pages 3-4) which brings together these companies. The same is true of the ENSEA (Graduate School for Electronics and Applications) at Cergy-Pontoise, the préfecture of the Val d'Oise.

Four strategic directions corresponding to the key challenges facing mechatronics have been established within the Mov'eo cluster.

Mechatronic modelling and design process management resources:
- developing design tools,
- developing multiphysics simulation,
- improving the simultaneous engineering process.

New technologies:
- innovation in assembly technologies,
- using new materials.

Actuators and mechatronic systems:
- innovating with new actuators and highly integrated mechatronic sensors.

Sturdy and reliable mechatronic construction:
- achieving design robustness,
- ensuring a high level of reliability.