Flat Blade windshield wipers will arrive on the aftermarket in autumn 2003 through Valeo's independent aftermarket networks, having been hitherto available only in original equipment.

Produced since 2001, the patented Flat Blade wipers currently equip more than 1.6 million vehicles. Valeo expects manufacturers to install them on the majority of new cars by 2010. New vehicles with the Flat Blade introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt include BMW 5-series, Renault Scenic and Peugeot 307 cabriolet.

For the aftermarket, the Flat Blade will first be offered in a range of 44 part numbers that will not only fit the production cars that came with them as original equipment, but also most late-model Citroens, Fords, Opels, Peugeots, Renaults and Volvos originally fitted with a conventional arm. The wiper blades, packaged either in cardboard packs or blister-packs for retail distribution, will be available throughout Europe from €30 a set, including VAT.