Global Market for Vehicle Connectivity Set for Unprecedented Growth

BROMSGROVE, England, August 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Addressing vehicle connectivity in new vehicles is a rapidly rising priority for vehicle manufacturers as the proliferation and integration of smart portable devices, applications software and embedded in-car mobility services continues.

The vehicle connectivity sector is set for continued rapid growth according to forecasts from industry analysis website just-auto.

just-auto's most recent management briefing includes extracts from the QUBE connected vehicle technologies intelligence service, along with interviews from leading participants in the vehicle connectivity sector.

The opportunities created by the convergence of on-board devices with mobility services in vehicles are discussed in the first part of this month's briefing. The demand for vehicle connectivity has allowed manufactures to personalise the in-car experience and further strengthen their competitive position. It stresses that this area will allow for the greater differentiating of product offerings by vehicle makers.

Extracts from a QUBE interview with Sanjay Ravi, Worldwide Managing Director, Automotive, Industrial & Aerospace, and HighTech & Electronics Industry at Microsoft Corporation, reveal a shift in the traditional supply-chain relationships caused by the sudden demand for in-car connectivity. When asked how important connected vehicles are for Microsoft, Ravi responded with: "the global connected vehicle market is a key part of Microsoft's business portfolio moving forward."

As traditional Tier 1 suppliers struggle to operate in such an environment, vehicle manufacturers and their software developers are forming working alliances with handset/smartphone suppliers and wireless carriers. In addition, telematics service suppliers are seeking to partner up with wire carriers and cloud service providers. The briefing describes Ford as the 'pioneers' in this supply-chain shift. The briefing emphasises that Tier 1s will not be abandoned completely, although the nature of these relationships will be significantly transformed.

As part of the management briefing, just-auto also spoke with Delphi's Wilhelm Steger, chief executive, Delphi Germany, managing director Delphi Infotainment & Driver Interface Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Steger discusses the opportunities and future challenges of in-car technology, the three megatrends Delphi are implementing to keep the planet safe, how they will address customer needs with respect to the megatrends and how they seek to deliver these solutions. "We are a leader in vehicle systems development and integration. We have advanced expertise in silicon, software and systems, and significant and protected intellectual property," Steger said.

The overall briefing discusses the opportunities of an increased demand in connected vehicle technologies, talks of Microsoft's next generation Window products for vehicle manufacturers and provides Delphi's inside perspective of this complex and ever changing sector.

Read the full management briefing, with both exclusive interviews and in-depth discussions.

About just-auto.com

Established in 1999, just-auto is a leading online resource for the global automotive industry, publishing around 50 news articles, analysis features and insights every working day. Under the direction of Managing Editor David Leggett, its experienced team of journalists, consultants and analysts provide a unique blend of that is delivered to over 90,000 business executives per month.

Via its website, webinars and QUBE, CONSULT and PLDB research platforms, just-auto offers insight into OEM and supplier corporate strategies, manufacturing developments, in-depth management briefings, supplier technologies and innovations, component market trends and forecasts and current/future car model programmes.

For details of how just-auto is "helping decision makers make decisions" visit http://www.just-auto.com.

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