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    Lighter and safer: The evolving market of battery pack enclosure
    The bid to make lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries more efficient and safer has been an ongoing process, with discussions mostly revolving around cell technology and chemistry advancements. As the traditional Li-ion cell chemistries approach the advancement ceiling, avenues other than the cell are being considered for increasing the safety and efficiency of batteries. Battery pack enclosures have become an intrinsic part of the discussions around battery pack performance and their overall impact ...
    BMW's recall rumble: Brake-by-wire woes
    BMW has initiated a recall involving over 1.5 million vehicles globally, citing issues with the integrated braking system (IBS) supplied by Continental AG. This recall encompasses significant models such as the BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, Rolls-Royce Spectre, Mini Cooper, Mini Countryman and numerous BMW crossovers. The defect lies in the brake-by-wire (BBW) technology, an innovative system aimed at enhancing braking efficiency through electronic signals rather than traditional hydraulic mechanisms....
    Cloud computing use cases for automotive - raining innovation
    Thanks to the proverbial software-defined vehicle (SDV) that is helping the industry realize the buzz around CASE (connectivity, autonomy, shared mobility, electrification) megatrends, data flowing out of vehicle ecosystems have spiraled out of control. To put things into perspective, a typical connected vehicle can generate nearly 25 GB of data per hour and collect information from more than 100 different datapoints, thanks to embedded features including geolocation and navigation, companion ap...
    Thanks to Cerence, Volkswagen rolls out ChatGPT to more group vehicles
    Volkswagen is offering its new-generation infotainment system integrated with ChatGPT in more models. The artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool is available in all electric vehicle models offered by ID. family as well as in the new Golf, Tiguan and Passat. The advanced AI system, accessible via the IDA voice assistant, allows users to interact with their car using natural language for a range of functionalities that surpass traditional voice control. Capabilities extend to having search result...
    Volkswagen – Rivian deal: VW gets E/E architecture, Rivian gets capital and scale
    On June 25, Volkswagen Group and US-based electric carmaker Rivian Automotive announced their plan to set up an equal joint venture company that will focus on developing the next-generation electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture and software solutions that will be central to upcoming electric vehicles from both the carmakers. The strategic partnership also entails Volkswagen’s plan to invest $5 billion in Rivian, starting with an initial investment of $1 billion through an unsecured c...
    Riding the software wave, Stellantis scales up its technology offerings
    Stellantis recently concluded its first Investor Day on a high, and why not? Formed from the merger of the Italian-American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group in 2021, Stellantis has not only quickly established itself as one of the leading global automakers but seems even better positioned to meet future challenges. A “software” shot in the arm Since 2021, the company has seen a 2.5-fold increase in high-margin revenue from software and connected services,...
    Automotive ‘Hypervisor’ market landscape
    The development of automotive hypervisor solutions is being fuelled by an increase in the use of embedded virtualization at the device level to support different operating systems. To support Infotainment multimedia and connected services, as well as safety-critical instrument clusters for electric vehicles and sophisticated safety features with ADAS L0 and L1, primary use cases may be seen in the cockpit domain electronics. Vehicles in the Entry and Mid-Price classes, supported by Chinese OEMs,...
    New-age in-car navigation experiences—branded and personalized
    The future of automotive in-cabin experiences is being increasingly driven by digitization and user personalization. The industry has already seen how customized driver/passenger profiles enriched with insights from AI-driven analytics can pre-set functions such as temperature, seat and steering adjustment, audio volume, radio station choices, and even navigation recommendations. The current state of embedded in-car navigation For in-car navigational purposes, usually the default routing o...
    In-vehicle commerce and payment platforms—it pays to have one !
    The arrival of the software-defined vehicle, with its high compute power and robust cloud connectivity, is positively impacting many facets of the automotive industry, one of them being in-car commerce. Vehicles have begun to function as mobile wallets as automakers, traditional payment companies, digital infrastructure providers and technology companies come together to seize revenue streams arising out of the connected dashboard. The days of drivers digging out their wallets at a gas station o...
    Is the vehicle-data brokerage business sustainable?
    There is no denying that connected cars generate big data. Data has received increasing attention in the automotive industry over the last five to 10 years, alongside the expansion of connected-vehicle fleets and the digital-services ecosystem. More global players have placed data on the top of their strategic agendas as they prepare to engage in new data-driven business models. Additionally, the software-defined vehicle and its always-on connectivity have made it possible to monetize data and s...
    INTERVIEW: Over-the-air (OTA) updates and the automotive industry
    There has been mainstream market emergence of OTA updates in cars in recent years, primarily precipitated by recall and warranty costs and owing to the rapid development of autonomous cars. With the amount of software per car continuing to grow, the number of software-related recalls is also projected to grow significantly over the next decade, thus rendering OTA updates even more critical. To learn more about how the automotive OTA industry is placed currently and is poised to evolve going ...
    Collaborations driving in-car audio customization
    The in-car audio and acoustic experience will likely be a key differentiator in the increasingly connected, electrified and autonomous vehicles of today and the future. Sound management technologies are rapidly evolving as automakers look to add that X factor in their vehicles while enhancing the overall passenger experience. Audio systems are no longer viewed in a static, “ship-it-and-forget-it” way. They can be a continuously updated platform used to extend the relationship with the consum...
    Move over Google and Apple, automotive companies are creating their own app stores
    As the automobile becomes more connected and software-defined, automotive original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers alike are constantly seeking to transcend their role as manufacturers to become technology partners throughout the vehicle's life cycle. Apps designed specifically for automotive use have become increasingly popular in recent years as drivers and passengers expect a level of functionality and features that are on par with their smartphones. However, as smartphone ...
    Decoding DENSO’s semiconductor strategy
    Japan’s DENSO Corporation, one of the leading global automotive suppliers of powertrain, thermal, and safety systems, recorded a 4.2% year-on-year (y/y) decline in its fiscal year (FY) 2021 revenue, which stood at JPY4,936.7 billion (about USD45.1 billion). The company attributed this year-on-year fall to the significant decline in car sales resulting from COVID-19, followed by the shortages in semiconductors and other raw materials. Yasushi Matsui, CEO at DENSO Corporation, projected in the c...
    Stellantis’s EV roadmap hinges heavily on its battery strategy
    Amsterdam-based Stellantis announced its vehicle electrification strategy for this decade and beyond on its EV Day on 8 July. The parent company to over a dozen iconic brands, including Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Maserati, plans to pump in EUR30 billion (over USD35 billion) over the next five years in electrifying all brands through this decade. At the heart of its giant plan are four all-new battery-electric vehicle–focused platforms, three core electric drive mo...
    Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC): A step towards making autonomous driving a reality?
    As the industry moves towards autonomous vehicles, it is important to create an ecosystem that not only sustains the progress but also creates an environment for collaboration and information sharing. It is difficult for one company to take on the responsibility of creating an autonomous vehicle entirely from scratch, given the complexities such as data management, safety and power consumption. The time and cost incurred in research and development is another deterrent. On 8 October, at the 15th...
    Evolving Seating Experience
    The automotive industry is in a period of evolution, where previously simple components are being enhanced by technology to deliver new functionality. Such is the case with the modern vehicle cockpit; where designers continue to pursue new means of exciting and delighting consumers. No component, no matter how small or simple, is exempt from this eternal drive towards smarter, more luxurious, and more streamlined vehicle interiors. There is perhaps no greater example for this evolution of int...
    2019 TU-Automotive Detroit
    TU-Automotive Detroit is one of the most influential automotive technology events globally and a platform where some of the most innovative minds in vehicle connectivity, mobility and autonomy converge each year. The event is well known for its expert panel discussions and also provides a great opportunity to experience the mobility features of tomorrow. The 2019 edition of the event was held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, from 4-6 June, with more than 3,250 automotiv...
    New innovations in door solutions
    Responsible for a number of vital interior functions, including occupant protection, curbing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels, and functioning as a casing for door elements, the door trim panel of today has gone through a substantial evolution over the years. As an intrinsic component of the cockpit, door trim panels further provide an overarching layer of functionality and design to the evolving car interiors of today. Over the years, their development has seen tremendous change in ...
    Increasing role of 3D printing in interiors
    Technology penetration into the automotive domain has not only impacted the overall design language and component functionality; it also has a far-reaching impact on the overall component development phase. How we perceive production methodologies coming from an age-old coachbuilding to assembly line technology has gradually revolutionized the automotive output. Taking it a step further, with the advancements taking place in additive manufacturing, the entire production cycle and techniques are ...
    HD Maps – Competitive Landscape
    Introduction Technology companies are taking their mapping and localization efforts to the next level to support the growing development of autonomous driving technologies. This has resulted in the integration of next-generation maps, known as HD maps, into semi- and fully-autonomous vehicles. HD maps enable autonomous vehicles to remain aware of their exact location, environment and driving route, with an unprecedented level of accuracy (up to 10cm) and reliability. In-depth details on the t...
    MWC & Geneva Motor Show 2019 – An overview
    IHS Markit’s analytical spotlight this month has been on the Mobile World Congress (February 25-28) and the Geneva Motor Show (March 7-17). While the ongoing Geneva show is obviously a purely automotive-centric event, the just-concluded MWC is fast becoming the European go-to event, not only for mobile services, but also for the latest connectivity and software-as-a-service (SaaS) features for future vehicles and mobility services.      MWC 2019  With connectivity and...
    EDITORIAL – Refueling infrastructure, government support still insufficient for fuel cell technology to gain significant traction
    Though both battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are expected to be popular zero-emission technologies in the long term, the former is expected to gain more market share relatively in the near term on the back of factors such as wider government-industry collaboration, falling cost of battery, increasing driving range, expanding public charging infrastructure and growing production. Consider the US market, for example. The BEV charging infrastructure has recorde...
    Automotive Cabin Comfort – The rising application of seat thermal management
    In automotive design, passenger comfort is a central element along with the other performance and efficiency parameters. Manufacturers invest a lot of resources to ensure the highest degree of ambiance, ergonomics, and user experience for the occupants. Extreme seasonal swings in ambient temperatures caused by global warming mean that an effective and efficient cabin thermal management is crucial for passenger comfort and well-being. The occupants are not likely to rate the vehicle high on comfo...
    Thermal Management in FCEVs (Fuel Cell EVs)
    Alternative propulsion is the ‘buzzword’: Gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines (ICE) have enjoyed a duopoly over the global automotive landscape for a greater part of the century due to the sheer convenience, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness of the design as a mass road transport solution. And due to the high stakes involved for all the players invested in the ecosystem, alternatives have remained on the fringes. The design blueprint of the ICE has been continuously updated...
    Next wave of seating technology: increasing health analysis
    The idea of a vehicle diagnosing the occupant’s health and wellness would have sounded outlandish a couple of decades back, when it was almost unimaginable to think of development areas that do not relate to the automotive core competencies. Fast forward to the present scenario – now eyeing a much bigger target of creating a driverless vehicle ecosystem – technology penetration has made it possible to look beyond core automotive applications and to get more details out of a vehicle generat...
    Advancements in composite seat structures and scope for mass production
    Advancements within the automotive technology space are not only limited to the electronics penetration in components. Another area that has garnered substantial pace in the last decade is the advancement of material sciences – a major contributor in revolutionizing the development of ‘new-age’ automotive components. By altering the DNA of automotive components which traditionally comprised archaic materials in the form of iron, copper and so on, component manufacturers have turned towards...
    Trends in the automotive high voltage battery market
    The battery is one of the major components in EVs, as it influences the range which the vehicle can cover in electric mode. It is expected that the market for alternative propulsion vehicles will grow significantly in the coming years, and with it the battery market. Major trends that influence the automotive high voltage battery market are: OEMs are increasingly investing in assembling battery packs OEMs are investing in startups and research and development (R&D) of solid-state bat...
    Global automotive safety supplier market insights
    The global automotive safety industry has been home to a number of ground-breaking developments of late, shaping up to be a dynamic industry rather than being a placid one. However, this was not always the case. A decade ago, the global automotive safety supplier market was majorly dominated by traditional safety offerings with passive safety products regarded as the ‘bread-and-butter’ for safety component suppliers. Fast forward to 2018, technology penetration and the race towards autonomy ...
    Growing importance of battery cooling in full hybrid and electric vehicles and the longer-term prospect for further trend disruption.
    While it is inevitable that powertrain migration from an ICE to EV will be the endgame to meet the increasingly stringent regulations, the consensus in the industry is that talk about the complete demise of ICE technology is somewhat premature. The IHS Markit forecast indicates that one in five vehicles by 2025 will be either a BEV or full HEV. A significant portion of the APV numbers will be made up of full HEVs, meaning ICE technology will continue to find application, although the ICE fitted ...
    ZF: Control systems key to shifting from braking to maneuvring
    The global automotive market is witnessing a change towards autonomous and electrified vehicles, the impact of which is visible in the fundamental components of a vehicle. Everything from the powertrain to the chassis is moving towards advanced technologies. Braking systems are not an exception to this change. Rather there have been several significant changes in braking systems in the past decade, where they are not just mechanical components anymore, but married to electronic components to ...
    Shared mobility impact on interiors in future
    The automotive industry at present is on the verge of being transformed by a convergence of several disruptive technology-driven megatrends, out of which Shared Mobility remains one of the crucial ongoing trends. Its increasing adoption is gradually impacting the automotive industry, while in the near future – with the advent of autonomous vehicles – shared mobility is set to have a bigger impact. In terms of vehicle architecture, interior surface components are expected to undergo a major s...
    Automotive lighting: Made in China—a viable option?
    Increasing use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the automotive market has ushered the industry into a new era of competition, business strategies, and market demand. To sustain themselves in the long run and fulfill the ever-rising LED demand, many lighting companies have turned to niche lighting markets for higher returns. Owing to government support and lower manufacturing costs, China’s automotive industry is growing fast in terms of vehicle and component production. Other important facto...
    Sensor Integration in Exterior Components
    Sensor integration and communication between sensors is not only becoming important to OEMs but increasingly also to suppliers.  Initiatives such as V2I (Vehicle to Infrastructure) and V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) share sensor information over short-range wireless links to enable preventative driving action for scenarios that may be out of the vehicle’s line of sight. Sensors are increasingly being integrated into several exterior components of the vehicle, including lidar sensor into headlam...
    EDITORIAL – Automotive lighting industry expected to see increased collaboration, consolidation
    With the dawn of self-driving cars, the automotive lighting technology is set to undergo a significant change, both in terms of complexity and functionality. Consequently, suppliers are now faced with the challenge to develop intelligent exterior and interior lighting solutions, which will play a key role in autonomous driving – for luxury, infotainment, and safety purposes. Autonomous driving is expected to create a significant demand for intelligent lighting solutions as advanced dri...
    Interior safety challenges for autonomous vehicles
    As one of the most influential mega trends to have surfaced in recent times, ‘autonomy’ is slated to impact the entire ecosystem as carmakers and technology companies have realized how transformative self-driving-cars can be. With the aim to revolutionize present-day vehicle architecture, the automotive industry is gradually working towards achieving the long-term goal. However, the ‘drive’ towards autonomous vehicles can only be achieved once the functionality and design of various vehi...
    Artificial Intelligence in Automotive Sector
    Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been available since the 1980s when expert systems became available. However, the required computing power at affordable prices only became available after 2010 for embedded systems. AI systems use algorithms and data to represent intellectual functions of the human mind. With the advancements in the system, for instance virtual digital assistants and advanced call centers, A1 is rapidly making its place in every sector. As semi-autonomous and fully au...
    EDITORIAL – Automotive to remain a key growth driver for Constellium
    Constellium continues to position itself to benefit from rising aluminum content per vehicle across key automotive markets, as automakers intensify their focus on lightweight vehicle manufacturing and electrification to meet stringent fuel economy and CO2 emission regulations. Against this backdrop, Constellium expects to harvest huge returns from the recent capacity expansions worldwide. The Dutch company invested EUR36 million in research and development (R&D) activities in 2017; it e...
    ZF/Brakes India: Tapping into India’s EPB market
    Parking brakes are not the most “intriguing” component for creative innovations. However, automakers and suppliers have been relatively active throughout the years trying to push for new solutions in this field, according to Paolo Martino, chassis principal analyst at IHS Markit. Parking brakes have evolved from the simple cable-puller type manual brake with a hand lever or a foot pedal, to electric cable puller type that uses an electric switch along with a cable puller unit and a ball-in-r...
    Impact of Car-sharing and Ride-hailing on Vehicle Access Systems
    The future of the automotive industry is believed to be moving more towards car-sharing and ride-hailing rather than car ownership. The motivation behind new mobility services is all about lowering costs, increasing convenience and access, and reducing emissions through higher utilization rates of expensive assets. Shared vehicle use technology is already available via cloud platforms and smartphone applications in multiple segments such as ride-hailing, car-sharing, and ride-sharing. The area o...
    EDITORIAL - BMW, Daimler’s decision to merge their mobility services will offer them strong footing in the emerging segment
    In the last week of March, BMW and Daimler announced plans to merge their mobility services business by forming a joint-venture (JV) company in which the two Germany-based automakers would have equal stake. Under the plan, the two automakers will combine their mobility businesses, including car-sharing, ride-hailing, parking, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and multimodal transportation. The planned merger is subjected to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Under the...
    Automotive Intelligent Glass Technology Outlook
    Glass plays a crucial role in a vehicle’s ability to offer security and safety for its occupants. Intelligent glass controls and modifies properties of light that passes through it. Previously, the application of intelligent glass was limited to only architectural and construction purposes. However, with technology enhancements, intelligent glass has also found its application in automotive. Increasing demand for lightweight glass to enhance fuel efficiency of vehicles is driving demand for in...
    PSS market players focus on parallel growth in technology and production
    Positive global automotive market conditions, alongside technology and regulatory changes are pushing developments in the global power steering sector. IHS Markit expects the global power steering systems (PSS) market to grow at a CAGR of 1.8% from 2016 to 2023, to reach a market size of more than USD26 billion by 2023. The change is more prominent in the dominant electronic power steering (EPS) market, with an expected rise of 3.8% (CAGR) for the forecast period. The growing demand for drivi...
    Electric Revolution for Heavy Commercial Vehicles
    The automotive industry has witnessed several enhancements in the past few years in electric and electronic components used in various applications. These are mainly security and safety features that improve comfort of passengers. The area of vehicle access systems is of key interest to both vehicle manufacturers and consumers, as systems are slowly changing from keyless vehicle access to virtual keys. Source: Getty Images Automakers are sensing a big opportunity in the commercial vehi...
    SupplierInsight Analysis - Issue 1, 2018
    News The key news and events shaping the automotive supply base in the last month E-Mobility How are tranmission manufacturers and the wider automotive industry preparing and positioning for impending rise in hybrid demand? Thermal Modest projected adoption by global OEMs is expected to limit the use of CO2 (R744) refrigerants toniche variants or options in the near term. Who-Supplies-Whom Details of suppliers to the new Buick Enclave. Includes a look at the C1XX platform an...
    Collaboration within interior suppliers for future development
    Synergy between component suppliers is not a new practice when it comes to the global automotive supply chain. The automotive component industry has witnessed a number of collaborations between suppliers working in tandem to create solutions for a better business outlook. Especially within the interior sector, the practice of joint development has been an ongoing exercise since most of interior suppliers in the past aimed to venture into multiple product lines to become a “one-stop shop” for...
    ANBS: ‘Braking’ into ADAS, autonomous technology
    The global braking systems market is shaping OEM and supplier strategies for the future through integration of electronics systems. A growing trend is increasing involvement in active safety and automated driving space. Case in point – Autoliv Nissin Kogyo Braking Systems (ANBS). The supplier showcased its Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) system and other brake control and self-driving technologies at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada (United States) in January ...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 5, 2017)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Alpine Electronics Cinemo Front Seat Infotainment Cinemo will collaborate with Alpine Electronics on selected front seat infotainment projects. The infotainment product from this collaboration will be supplied to a global OEM. Aiming towards a high-quality in-car multimedia output, the product is said to integrate Cinemo’s media management...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 4, 2017)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Changan NIO Electric Vehicles Chinese automaker Changan has formed a joint venture with electric car start-up NIO (previously known as Next EV) to manufacture electric vehicles (EV) in China, reports Reuters. The new company will be called Yangtze River Automobile New Energy Industry Development. A total of CNY10 billion (USD1.4 billion) wil...
    SupplierInsight Analysis – Issue 3, 2017
    NEWS The key news and events shaping the automotive supply base in the last month.    SOFTWARE On March 13, 2017 Intel announced its acquisition of Mobileye, perhaps the most significant M&A event to date in the autonomous driving sector with significant impact over the next decade and beyond. POWERTRAIN Development of high fuel injection pressure helped in bringing improvement in diesel engine characteristics by reducing emissions and improving efficiency. CHASSI...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 3, 2017)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Beijing WKW Automotive Parts Hybrid Kinetic New Energy Vehicles Chinese firms Beijing WKW Automotive Parts and Hybrid Kinetic have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a new energy vehicles (NEV) joint venture (JV), reports Reuters. A total of CNY12 billion (USD1.74 billion) will be invested into the new JV entity, according to...
    Consolidation trend in the interior sector: review and outlook
    The automotive interior sector is going through a spate of consolidation moves, ranging from medium-sized to large acquisitions as well as exits, all of which have impacted the supplier landscape and industry stakeholders at large. Although most of these moves appear to have been driven by independent corporate strategies, a general sense is that companies are coming to terms with their inability to scale up their presence in the interior sector or achieve meaningful profitability and are theref...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 2, 2017)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Asahi Kasei China National Bluestar (Group) Co., Ltd. (Bluestar) Chemical production in China for Evs Asahi Kasei has entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement with China National Bluestar (Group) Co., Ltd. (Bluestar), a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corp. (ChemChina), for production of Xyron™ modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) ...
    Adient: business impact and outlook
    Operating as an independent company, Adient – the result of a spin-off from its parent Johnson Controls has taken charge of the automotive seating and interior business. Post October 2016, Adient’s common stock began trading independently as the new ‘separated’ automotive arm of Johnson Controls. Donning a new strategy for its business outlook, the decision to create Adient was not only to offer a new ‘name’ to the market but was very much linked to streamline Johnson Control’s pro...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 1, 2017)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Ansysco Anand Seiken Chemical Brake Fluids Ansysco Anand, a company of India’s Anand Group, has entered a technical assistant agreement with Seiken Chemical to produce and supply coolant and brake fluids to Japanese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in India, reports The Economic Times. The agreement will enable Ansysco Anand to acce...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 10, 2016)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen (VW) Group with Audi and Porsche - EV Charging Stations In a bid to ease electric vehicle (EV)-related range anxiety and accelerate adoption of such vehicles in Europe, BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen (VW) Group with Audi and Porsche, have decided to form a joint venture (JV) to build charging stations acr...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 8, 2016)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment BMW and Volkswagen (VW) Chargepoint Fast charging stations BMW and Volkswagen (VW) in collaboration with electric vehicle (EV) charging network company ChargePoint have installed 95 new DC fast charging stations in the United States as part of the ‘Express Charging Corridors Initiative’ announced last year. The installation of such a lar...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 7, 2016)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment APM Automotive Holdings  TACHI-S (Thailand) Co Ltd Seating APM Automotive Holdings has created a joint-venture with TACHI-S (Thailand) Co Ltd through its subsidiary, APM Automotive IndoChina Ltd (AAIL). APM said the joint venture company will make and sell automotive seats in Vietnam, as well as participate in seat design development. ...
    Increased supplier concentration in HVAC Module Space
    The global automotive heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module market has been changing in the last few years. Currently, the market is dominated by five prominent players -- Denso, Mahle, Valeo, Hanon Systems and Calsonic Kansei – catering to ten major automakers. Between them, the five companies account for close to 80% of the market, amounting to USD8.4 billion of business.  As the pie chart shows, Denso has the largest share of the HVAC module market at USD3.2 billion...
    China braking market trends
    The Chinese brake market is becoming increasingly sophisticated, adding several brake types such as Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and electronic parking brake (EPB) that were previously not present or held a niche segment in the market. In 2015, Germany-based Continental reported in its Q2 earnings call, that content per vehicle in China is increasing much faster than Europe and the United States, as the Chinese want more modern products. IHS expects market value of global automotive braking mark...
    Joint-ventures and Partnerships (Issue 6, 2016)
    Company Region Area of operation Investment Comment FCA United States Production facilities USD1.48 billion Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced a USD1.48 billion investment to retool its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in Michigan, United States, for the next-generation Ram 1500 pick-up truck. The investment would also “support future growth o...
    Hybrid and electric vehicles: Alliances
    Collaboration Focus Details Evatran, Zhejiang VIE Science and Technology Bring wireless EV charging to China Evatran Group and Zhejiang VIE Science and Technology Company have formed a joint venture (JV) to introduce Plugless, Evatran’s wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging system, for electric vehicle in China. The JV, Zhejiang VIE Evatran Electronic Technologies Co., has been created with an initial investment of USD5 million. ...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 5, 2016)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Daimler BAIC Light-vehicle production Daimler and Chinese partner BAIC Motor have signed a CNY4 billion (USD605 million) deal to expand the engine plant of the Beijing Benz Automotive Company (BBAC) in Beijing, China, according to the German automaker in a statement sent directly to IHS...
    Rebirth of interior suppliers
    Automotive interior business has been dragging suppliers’ profitability in recent years, resulting in a number of consolidations. “We would say that the interiors industry overall has reached an inflection point. There have been a number of recent major transactions which have propelled a structural change in the interior supply base. Examples of this would be the acquisition of Magna interiors by Grupo Antolin and the joint venture between Johnson Controls Interiors and Yanfeng. The extraor...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 4, 2016)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Denso eSOL and NEC Communication Systems Autonomous Driving Software Denso, eSOL and NEC Communication Systems have agreed to form a joint-venture, called AUBASS Co. Ltd, to develop in-vehicle electronic system software used in automated driving and other control actions, according to a...
    Difficult challenges ahead in development of China’s supply base
    Profitability under attack Organically formed as the outcome from the development of the automotive industry at OEM level, the automotive component supply base in China is characterised by its fragmentation, formed of approximately 20,000 companies supplying 108 automakers. During the dawn of the Chinese car making industry, OEMs were keeping a firm grip on component costs, either relying on a closed network of suppliers or producing components in-house. This control, coupled with local gove...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 3, 2016)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Bosch Borgward, LG Electronics and SAP Electric vehicles Borgward has formed a long-term strategic partnership with Robert Bosch, LG Electronics and SAP, the Germany-based company, which is gearing to return to automotive marke. Borgward will work with these partners to develop various ...
    Joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 2, 2016)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Geely Ericsson Connected Cars Chinese automaker Geely Auto and Swedish technology company Ericsson have announced a connected car partnership. Geely will begin offering customers advanced safety and maintenance features prior to progressing to vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastru...
    The Indian Automotive Supply Base
    Speed bumps The supplierindustry has had to manoevre a couple of rough patches in the recent past, especially in FY 2008/09, during the global economic slowdown, and more recently in FY 2013/14, owing to a slowdown in economy and vehicle sales and production in India. According to an estimate, more than 40% of production capacity remained unused during 2012-2014 due to subdued demand for new vehicles. The commercial vehicle industry has had a relatively tougher time with production declining...
    Joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 10, 2015)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Cooper Tire Fate Tires in Argnetina Cooper Tire and Fate, an Argentine tire manufacturer and global exporter, have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to work togethe As per the agreement, Fate will expand its product portfolio by initially being a distributor of Cooper passenger, light tru...
    Joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 9, 2015)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment  Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Company (JAC) Huating (Hefei) Powertrain Company Batteries Chinese automaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Company (JAC) plans to establish an automotive battery production joint venture (JV) with Huating (Hefei) Powertrain Company. According to a report by...
    Latest joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 8, 2015)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Faurecia Beijing WKW Automotive Parts Interior aluminium parts Faurecia has formed a 50:50 joint-venture (JV) with China-based Beijing WKW Automotive Parts. The JV, Beijing WKW-FAD Automotive Interior Parts Co. Ltd. (BWKWFAD), formed on 24 September with planned investment of EUR14 mill...
    Latest joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 7, 2015)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment BASF SIBUR Chemicals (polymers) SIBUR and BASF have extended its long term agreement for the supply of additives used for polymer manufacturing at the former’s production facilities. Under the agreement, BASF will continue to supply additives used to enhance the quality of finished pr...
    Joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 6, 2015)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Benteler Changan Automobile Group Co. Ltd. Chassis Germany-based Benteler Automotive and Chinese state-owned enterprise Changan Automobile Group Co. Ltd., have formed a joint-venture (JV), Benteler JianAn Automotive, in China. The two companies will have 50:50 ownership ratio in the JV ...
    Joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 5, 2015)
    Company Partner(s) Area of operation Comment  SsangYong Open Automotive Alliance (OAA) Connected cars South Korean automaker SsangYong has joined the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), an alliance of technology and automotive industry leaders to make the Android solutions available in cars. SsangYong plans to deliver in-vehicle ...
    Joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 4, 2015)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Aston Martin Leshi Internet Information & Technology Corp (Letv) HMI for Chinese market Aston Martin has announced that it plans to develop human interface applications with Chinese online entertainment provider Leshi Internet Information & Technology Corp (Letv). In a statem...
    Joint-ventures and partnerships (Issue 3, 2015)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Akka Technologies Beijing Automotive Industry Corp (BAIC) Group Components French engineering company Akka Technologies has announced a new joint-venture (JV) with Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Corp (BAIC) Group. Akka states that the new JV is for the development of p...
    South Korea’s suppliers see gains beyond their borders
    South Korean automotive suppliers have pretty much grown in tandem with South Korean carmakers, especially Hyundai and Kia. This has worked well for the suppliers and in some cases has helped automotive suppliers, such as Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Wia, become global players. However, going forward, South Korean suppliers will have to look beyond HKAG to grow, and for some suppliers this is a clearly stated goal. Other automotive suppliers, especially the smaller second and third tier suppliers, ...
    Japanese OEMs and suppliers’ production strategy
    Japanese automakers have long used Japan as an export base to meet demand in international markets, but the appreciation of yen against the US dollar and euro, especially between 2007 and 2012, forced many Japanese automakers to reduce dependence on domestic production for exports and invest in overseas production facilities. The twin disasters (earthquake and tsunami) in March 2011, which heavily disrupted automotive exports from Japan for some months, also forced Japanese automakers to intensi...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 1, 2015)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Axalta Coatings Shanghai Kinlita Advanced coating technologies Philadelphia-based Axalta Coatings and Chinese company Shanghai Kinlita Chemical Company have signed an agreement to form a joint-venture (JV) in China, the US company says in a news release. The new JV will focus on the ...
    EDITORIAL – SupplierBusiness’ most read articles in 2014
    January – Future demand for manual transmissions IHS Automotive took an in depth look at the manual transmission market and where it is heading. Though the technology is at a high state of development, there are still new elements being added. Six is expected to be the ideal number of speeds for manual transmission going forward. February – Continental retunes its powertrain strategy Continental splits its Strategy and Technology department two separate entities, in a bid to foc...
    Issue 10, 2014
    Could new suppliers shake up the seating systems market? Interview: Andreas Maashoff, Johnson Controls Automotive Seating Suppliers to the VW Passat and Renault Twingo cutaway Mexico’s resurgence continues           Click the link above to download this month's issue  
    Joint-ventures (Issue 10, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Axalta Coating Systems Yongjia Group Powder coatings Axalta Coating Systems has renewed its joint-venture (JV) partnership with the Huajia division of China-based Yongjia Group under a new name, Axalta Huajia Coatings, according to a press release. Axalta Huajia is focusing on expand...
    Flurry of mergers and acquisitions reshape the automotive semiconductor supplier landscape
    Capped by the announcement that Qualcomm Inc. would buy CSR PLC, the automotive semiconductor industry has recently been undergoing a wave of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity that has shaken up the competitive order of the market, according to IHS. In two major deals announced recently, Germany’s Infineon Technologies AG said it would acquire US-based International Rectifier Corp., while On Semiconductor Corp. sealed a deal to acquire fellow American firm Aptina Imaging Corp. ...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 9, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Akebono Brake Mohka Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Cast-iron components Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.  has established a joint-venture subsidiary with Mohka Manufacturing Co., Ltd. for the manufacture of cast-iron components in Thailand. The new joint-venture’s production wil...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 8, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Hitachi Data Systems Clarion Connected car applications Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) formed a partnership with Clarion Corporation of America to jointly research and develop new data-driven solutions for in-vehicle connectivity. The companies will jointly develop next generation connec...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 7, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Cooper-Standard INOAC Fluid transfer systems Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., the parent company of Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., today announced that it is forming a joint venture with INOAC Corp. of Japan expanding the reach of Cooper-Standard’s fluid transfer systems products i...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 6, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Evonik Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development Silica Evonik and Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCL-Poly Energy Holdings (GCL-Poly), have signed a letter of intent to establish a joint-venture (JV) for the production of...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 5, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Furukawa Indomobil Sukses Batteries Furukawa Battery, the Japanese battery manufacturer, has formed two joint-ventures (JVs) with Indonesia-based and Indomobil Sukses. The two partners have agreed to invest USD20 million in the two JVs. The first JV named, Furukawa Indomobil Battery ...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 4, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment BASF Toda Kogyo cathode active materials BASF and Toda Kogyo plan to form a joint-venture (JV) for cathode active materials (CAM) in Japan, says a press release. The proposed JV will work on production, marketing and sales of various cathode materials including NCA (Nickel Cobalt Alu...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 3, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Delphi Westport Natural gas fuel injectors Delphi and Westport have signed a development agreement to co-develop and manufacture high-pressure natural gas fuel injectors, according to a press release by Westport. The new product will be targeted for multiple heavy-duty engi...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 2, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Bosch GS Yuasa, Mitsubishi EV batteries Lithium Energy and Power, a joint venture (JV) set up by Bosch, GS Yuasa, and Mitsubishi, aims to double electric vehicle (EV) battery capacity to meet the growing demand of the niche sector. Bosch, GS Yuasa, and Mitsubishi established the JV i...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 1, 2014)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment SK Innovation Maxwell Technologies Energy storage Maxwell Technologies has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SK Innovation, a subsidiary of SK Holdings, to develop next generation energy storage solutions leveraging core expertise of both the companies. ...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 10, 2013)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Faurecia Magneti Marelli Human-machine interface Faurecia and Magneti Marelli have inked a cooperation agreement to design, develop and manufacture human-machine interface (HMI) vehicle interior products, the companies said in separate press releases. HMI solutions will be extended t...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 9, 2013)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment A123 Venture SolidEnergy Lithium batteries A123 Venture Technologies, a technology incubator owned by A123 Systems, has agreed to collaborate with SolidEnergy, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) start-up, on development of high energy battery chemistry, the company said in...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 8, 2013)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Autoneum Auto Interior Products Interiors Autoneum has established a joint-venture (JV) with Thailand’s Auto Interior Products (AIP) to cater to the light vehicle manufacturers in the region, says the company’s press release. The JV, Summit & Autoneum Ltd, will be engaged in ...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 7, 2013)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Grupo Antolin Kasai Kogyo Door panels and plastic parts France’s Grupo Antolin and Japan-based Kasai Kogyo have launched a new plant under their joint-venture (JV) named Antolin Kasai-Tek (AK-Tek) in Chennai (India). The JV plant will serve Renault-Nissan alliance with vehicle door...
    Joint-ventures (Issue 6, 2013)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Fiat, PSA Peugeot-Citroën SEVEL JV Light-Vehicles Fiat has announced that it and its partner PSA Peugeot-Citroën are planning to undertake further investment at its Société Européenne de Véhicules Légers (SEVEL) joint-venture facility located in Val di Sangro (Italy). In a sta...
    Joint ventures
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment Continental Oerlikon Alternative Transmissions Continental has entered an agreement with Oerlikon to collaborate on the development and marketing of integrated motor and transmission systems for hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs), the two automotive suppliers said in a joint press r...
    Joint Ventures (Apr 2013)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of Operation Comment Denso Pricol Instrument Clusters The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Denso’s proposed joint-venture with Pricol, a major supplier of instrument clusters to the  Indian automotive industry. The Indian fair trade regulator said that the deal would not have an ...
    Quoros search for an orginal look
    William Diem China’s newest automaker has the passion of youth and the wisdom of age behind it, and the strategy employed is the same that Toyota used when it created Lexus in 1989. Qoros could be the first Chinese-brand car to make a mark in the west in 2014, but first it will try to conquer young buyers in its home market. Qoros is a 50:50 joint-venture between Chery Auto, the young and hungry independent Chinese automaker, and Israel Corp., a USD11.5 billion international conglomera...
    Joint-ventures (March 2013)
    Company JV Partner(s) Area of operation Comment CIE Automotive Grupo Antolin Metal structures and subassemblies Spain-based automotive component suppliers CIE Automotive and Grupo Antolin signed a joint-venture (JV) agreement to manufacture and supply metallic structures and subassemblies for car seats in the Czech Republic. The new joint entity called Antolin-CIE Czech Republic s.r.o., will begin operations in the cit...
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