South Korean mid-sized business called ‘Namsung’ is supplying its Smart Keys to Daimler, which is the number one automotive manufacturer in the world. Namsung, which has been strengthening its automobile electric components business, has been registered as a tier-one supplier of Daimler and it has entered before market for global automotive manufacturers for the first time. It is going to expand its partnership with Daimler starting with supply of Smart Keys and it is expecting to make additional supplies to other automotive manufacturers.
Namsung made an announcement that it signed off on a contract with Daimler regarding supply of Smart Keys for Daimler’s special cars and recently started supplying Smart Keys to Daimler. Namsung has been working on development of technologies regarding Smart Key since many years ago and this will be the first time supplying Smart Keys to Daimler. It recently supplied first supply of Smart Keys and it is planning to supply additional supplies shortly.
Smart Key is integrated with various technologies such as technologies that control cars and technologies regarding security and telecommunication, and the fact that Namsung signed off on a contract with Daimler indicates that its technical skills in Smart Key are recognized by global automotive manufacturers. Unlike Smart Keys for normal cars, Smart Keys for special cars require more complicated technologies as there are differences in what they provide and locations of antennas within cars.
“Our biggest achievement in our company’s history is being registered as a tier-one supplier of Daimler.” said President Yoon Sung-ho of Namsung. “It is also meaningful that our technologies in Smart Key field, which has technical barriers, are recognized by global automotive manufacturers.” He also added that Namsung is planning to expand its business towards infotainment devices in the future and that Smart Key has become a momentum that has opened doors for Namsung towards automotive manufacturers.
By adding Smart Key business to infotainment business for cars, Namsung has been strengthening its automotive parts business.
Namsung also participated in ‘CES 2018’, which was recently held in Las Vegas, and introduced infotainment devices for cars. After receiving a certification for Apple’s CarPlay, it is also working to receive Google’s Android Auto certification. It also developed products that support Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto at the same time.
It is planning to sell these products in North American markets for aftermarkets when it obtains a certification for Android Auto. Namsung already partnered up with North America’s biggest distributor Walmart and it is supplying its multimedia products that are already certified of CarPlay to every Walmart in North America.
“While our products that are certified of Apple’s CarPlay are receiving positive comments, we have added products that are certified of Android Auto.” said President Yoon Sung-ho. “We expect that our sales will increase by a lot when we release products that support Android and CarPlay at the same time.”
Staff Reporter Kwon, Keonho | wingh1@etnews.com