Automotive Electronics Sales Soar Green Concept or Become Next Year Theme

Global warming, increasing air pollution and other issues are driving the countries around the world to focus on improving the environmental performance of automobiles and the development of new technologies. For TDK, green automotive electronics are primarily those that can reduce emissions. , Fuel-efficient power control products, in addition, the green concept should also include those products that can reduce the power consumption of on-board electronic equipment and extend the life of electronic equipment.

Recently, during the China Electronics Show, TDK's business manager of the East China Sales Office in Shanghai East China Valley, in an exclusive interview with EDNChina, introduced in detail TDK's commitment to environmental protection while developing products that meet international environmental regulations. It is reported that under the current trend of rising fuel costs, TDK is devoting itself to the development of a variety of green vehicle-mounted automotive electronic components. Highlighted products include DC-DC converters for HEVs that have been mass-produced in Japan and the United States. NEO magnets (metal magnets) for driving motors. TDK will use the HEV/EV's main components as a starting point to improve the efficiency of its products by improving the materials used in HEV/EV powertrain IGBT drive transformers. In addition, TDK's subsidiary, New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (ATL) has been committed to mass production of lithium batteries for mobile phones. ATL will use its advanced technology in lithium batteries to develop batteries for EVs to build battery management systems.

We believe that the hybrid vehicle market in China will grow rapidly. TDK will introduce advanced technologies from Japan to China and integrate with the R&D resources on this side.

——Tanimoto Toru, Manager of Sales Department of TDK East China Sales Office in Shanghai, believes that the so-called eco-friendly cars can be considered as vehicles for the purpose of energy saving in the environment of rising fuel costs. Therefore, TDK considers focusing on global automotive manufacturers. As a manufacturer of passive components, you should be familiar with the requirements of the customer. The production of the product should meet the requirements of the customer as far as possible. Specifically, it includes high requirements for reliability-related parts, high-temperature resistance of engine mounting of electronic brake systems, requirements for miniaturization, and requirements for shock resistance.

Tanimoto said that for TDK, the requirements for reliability have been put first. From the aspect of product cost considerations, it is also as simple as possible. "We evaluate the product before it is released and use this assessment as a basis to demonstrate Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse when developing, designing, and manufacturing products."

From EMC's main countermeasures for TDK's main products, this market will become even wider with on-board electronics and on-board networking. TDK will release products that can contribute to EMC measures based on material development based on the key areas of passive component manufacturers.

Tanimoto specifically mentioned that TDK acquired German company EPCOS last year. The combination of the two companies will bring positive synergies. Specifically, EPCOS is strong in automotive electronics in Europe and Asia. For example, wireless communication products for engine anti-theft and TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems), sensors for air-conditioning temperature sensing, obstacle sensing, etc. These products will be the key products.

At present, TDK's products for the automotive market are all energy-saving products. Not only the reduction in energy consumption, but also in the high density, modularity, and most importantly, can improve the reliability of the product. The DC-DC converter that TDK announced last year for HEV automotive insights is a new product that has been reduced in size and weight (45% weight reduction); NEO magnets (metal magnets) used for drive motors such as Insight, Prius, etc. It is also a high-performance product that achieves high heat resistance; in the field of motors, the FB12 series of ferrite magnets for electric motors (sliders, power windows, starters, etc.) for automotive motors are smaller in size than the previous ones. The product has been reduced by more than 30%.


In addition, the use of metal material properties - such as ferrite magnets - can reduce the part's volume, "while the main material remains the same, we change the characteristics of the material by adding new materials, which in turn dramatically reduces the device's Volume," said Tanimoto, "you can think of it as a new kind of material." In addition, our series of conductive resin terminal chip capacitors, in fact, the application of new materials such as conductive resin for the welding process to get rid of Lead soldering materials that are prohibited by these environmental regulations solve the problem.

At present, TDK has not invested in automotive electronics R&D in China. Tanimoto said that although China has become a global leader in automobile production, it should not be much different from mature markets such as Europe and the United States in terms of technology demand. “For us, it is more important. It is necessary for Chinese customers to further understand TDK's technologies and products and recognize our presence,” said Mr. Tanimoto. “While the current development of hybrid vehicles in China is not yet clear, we believe that this market in China will definitely With rapid development and expansion, TDK will use the DC-DC converter as its axis and set up a special team as soon as possible to grasp the market."

Thanks to the government's relevant policy incentives, TDK China's sales have started to rebound sharply since March, with an average growth rate of 144% from March to May. This was a rapid increase in June. Compared with February this year, the growth rate was as high as 284. %, sales in the automotive electronics sector set a new record.

At present, TDK is making every effort to increase its production capacity, especially MLCC, SMDcoil, and magnets. Tanimoto Toru said that, as a whole, the current sales have not reached the peak, in the future will be more concerned about the customer's situation, to increase production capacity. “In the past, TDK focused on customers in Europe, the United States, and Japan. In the future, TDK will pay more attention to local Chinese manufacturers,” said Mr. Tanimoto. “Soon, the elimination of automakers will begin, and we will continue to Concerned about local Chinese manufacturers, TDK will develop with customers in the growing China."