EPN Automotive Electronics Blog

The second world strikes back

We got used to car and semiconductor manufacturing migrating from Europe to China, and subcontractors and EMS providers moving to obscure post-soviet states. A few years ago, Chinese companies started building infrastructure in Africa in a way, legions of western development workers weren’t able to, European and US governments ask for financial help and now the unheard-of happens: a Chinese car manufacturer opens a plant in a European low-wage country.

European Eco-SoC

In times of growing euro-scepticism the engineering community demonstrates the benefits of cooperation in the union. The recently completed EU FP7 project »ATHENIS« (Automotive Tested High Voltage Embedded Non Volatile Memory Integrated System On Chip) is a successful example of collaborative European Research contributing to the EU 2020 CO₂ reduction objectives with IC products manufactured in Europe.

Back in Japan

In the weeks after the threefold disaster in Japan, many car manufacturers and automotive suppliers had to cut back their production. Yesterday, the 18th of April, Mitsubishi’s plants in the stricken country took up production again.

Sensors against collisions

A big deal for Jenoptik, manufacturer of optical components: The East-Germany-based company just signed a long-term delivery contract with automotive supplier Magna and expands its production of sensors for the automotive industry.

Japan: News from Distributors

European and international distributors offer online information about the delivery and supply situation regarding their Japanese linecards.

Convertibles from Osnabrück

In the course of one year, Volkswagen has not just finished a new production facility but also brought its new convertible series to manufacturing readiness. The plant might help this economically unstable region of northern Germany to gain a foothold again.

Antipodes flood car price

The consequences of the Australian flood for the international steel production and industries like automotive look like a symbol for something, but I’m not too sure for what. Climate change?

Tightly coupled: Europe’s and China’s automotive markets

Munich-based Roland Berger Strategy Consultants have just finished an analysis on the outlook for the Chinese automotive supplier market. The question »How long will the party last?« is more relevant

Hitch your car to a star

The Korean foundry Dongbu HiTek is reaching for the stars: Specialized on analog and mixed signal semiconductor technologies, it’s trying to expand its business into automotive ICs. Its process technologies have undergone high-quality automotive certifications and now they’re ready for more.

Prototyping Lambda Probe

As cars become increasingly environmentally friendly, engine and exhaust control electronics get more and more complex. One consequence is that today it’s more or less impossible even to change a spark plug on one’s own, another is the pure intricacy of the design and development process.