- Visteon to start production of telematics control units for multiple vehicle manufacturers in second half of 2014
Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC), a global automotive electronics leader, and Autonet Mobile, Inc., a leading Internet-based telematics and apps service provider, have entered into an exclusive agreement for Visteon to integrate Autonet’s telematics technology into Visteon’s next-generation products for global vehicle manufacturers.
Visteon and Autonet Mobile will provide vehicle manufacturers a complete end-to-end software and app platform, designed to integrate with vehicle electrical architectures and networks, to enable new vehicle features. The solution incorporates a telematics control unit (TCU), OS software, apps and technical support. Autonet Mobile’s solution enables the vehicle to connect to mobile devices, machine-to-machine (M2M), vehicle-to-anything (V2X) and the Internet of Things. Autonet Mobile apps like parental controls, fleet management and remote vehicle commands support categories such as usage base insurance, parking and toll, and more. Under the agreement, Visteon will lead design and integration efforts with global vehicle manufacturers and Autonet Mobile will provide software, Internet Protocol (IP) and network operation services.
“The embedded automotive telematics market is forecast to grow at a cumulative rate of 42 percent, reaching a vehicle installation rate of 50 percent by 2018,” said Marty T. Thall, president, Visteon Electronics. “Visteon and Autonet Mobile are leveraging their complementary capabilities to become a driving force in the development of next-generation in-vehicle apps and services for the connected car.”
Autonet Mobile’s IP-based TCU is designed to connect cars in motion with reliable content delivery and app services. Visteon and Autonet Mobile’s telematics solutions will enable vehicle manufacturers to connect cars to high-speed mobile networks and deliver pervasive Cloud computing, mobile apps and fleet telematics, while being fully compatible with essential vehicle functions and external devices.
“Autonet Mobile is proud to partner with a world-class, tier-one automotive-grade technology provider,” said Bob Sick, chief executive officer, Autonet Mobile. “This partnership extends Autonet’s reach further into the global automotive manufacturing market and expands Visteon’s rich connected vehicle platform offerings for vehicle manufacturers.”
Autonet Mobile’s current customers include Fiat-Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM Trucks, Mercedes Benz, Maserati, Subaru and General Motors. Visteon expects to begin manufacturing for various vehicle manufacturers in the second half of 2014.
