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Sogefi components in eight of the top 10 selling cars, including new VW Polo contract this success reflects emphasis on Sogefi’s R&D activities.

Guyancourt, May 19, 2014 – Sogefi continues to be a highly valued supplier to the European car industry, with eight of the top 10 selling cars in Europe last year now equipped with a wide range of its products, according to the top cars ranking by international technical information specialist IHS.

These components include, for example, the oil module, turbo inlet, air ducts, cooling parts, thermostat housing and rear straight stabiliser bars on Europe's number two selling car, the Renault Clio, and many similar components on the next best seller, the Ford Fiesta, which also has Sogefi rear coil springs.

Europe's fifth favourite car, the Peugeot 208, has Sogefi-made diesel and oil modules, air intake system, turbo outlet, thermostat housing, water pump and pipes and front stabiliser bars. Other top 10 selling cars in Europe fitted with Sogefi parts include the Opel Corsa and Astra, Ford Focus and Nissan Qashqai.

Significant win

Sogefi has recently secured a significant contract as the supplier of oil filters for Europe's fourth best selling vehicle last year, the Volkswagen Polo. This spin-on filter will be supplied to Polo models from April 2014 onwards with the new Euro 6 compliant 1.4 litre 3 cylinder, turbo charged, direct injection diesel engine. This is expected to create follow-on demand for the company’s aftermarket brand filters Purflux (LS992), CoopersFiaam (FT6134) and Fram® (PH11788).

Sogefi’s continued success with such a broad range of manufacturers throughout Europe is a reflection of its deep and ongoing commitment to innovation and research and development.

R&D paying dividends

This commitment was underlined by the recent signing of a new collaborative agreement between the company and the Politecnico di Milano, one of the world's most prestigious technical universities, to engage in joint research and development initiatives in the automotive sector over the next three years.

This research will focus on materials, processes, design and testing of engine systems and suspension components. It will involve collaboration between Sogefi scientists and engineers and academics working in such diverse fields as energy, mechanical, aerospace and chemical engineering.

Andrea Taschini, General Manager of Sogefi's Aftermarket Business Unit, observes that "Innovation in the car sector, starting from reducing weight and improving the efficiency of vehicles, now depends significantly on the components companies. Sogefi in particular is increasing its investment in research and development, which has gone up in recent years from around 2% to just under 3% of total revenue."

“The value of our focus on R&D”, he also points out, “is by no means confined to original equipment customers, but equally extends to all aftermarket customers who enjoy access to products featuring identical technologies and specifications through Sogefi's aftermarket brands – Purflux, CoopersFiaam and Fram®.”