ST, TJ FAW open joint automotive lab in China

STMicroelectronics and TIANJIN FAW Xiali Automobile (TJ FAW), a China-based automotive manufacturer, have inaugurated their joint automotive application laboratory in Tianjin, China.

The companies will cooperate in a joint effort to research and develop advanced automotive application solutions for TJ FAW and its vendors in the areas of power train, electric module, development calibration, power-train control by new energy sources and in-vehicle infotainment.

The TJ FAW-ST Automotive Application Lab will focus on engine simulation and engine management system (EMS) design in EMS systems, transmission control unit (TCU) system simulation, TCU design in the power train, power-train control by new energy sources and in-vehicle infotainment. The first application solution is scheduled to be completed in two to three years, which will enable TJ FAW to integrate the solution into their future car models, offering reduced costs and a higher ratio of localized modules for manufacturers, driving the development of sustainable innovation in local low- to mid-range car markets.

TJ FAW shall provide financial support and technical staff for the lab while ST shall assign a team of experts to the lab for training and technical support, along with the provision of the automotive application ICs required for the R&D projects. Tianjin University and China Automotive Technology Research Center will also join in the R&D effort at this lab.

"China is currently the second-largest car market and the third-largest producer globally. The fast-growing demand in this sector will certainly stimulate the explosive growth of automotive applications," said Qun Zhang, vice general manager of TJ FAW and director of the product development center. "The timely cooperation between ST and TJ FAW will provide products with optimized cost-performance ratio for our future car models, as well as allow us to keep abreast of advanced technological development, raising the satisfaction level of consumers in China."

"ST is strongly positioned in the applications of power-train, body, safety as well as entertainment and digital broadcast; our standing is well recognized among Chinese car makers," said Bruce Liu, automotive product group director, Greater China Region of ST. "This effort has confirmed our commitment to keep up with China's automotive market through the introduction of advanced technologies to local car makers, which will not only accelerate the development of car manufacturing in China, but also integrate ST's leading technology into the Chinese automotive market."

According to iSuppli, the automotive market will double by 2011, reaching $18.4 billion, while automotive semiconductors will be worth $2.8 billion, an increase of nearly 100 percent from 2006. Participating in Chinese automotive standardization, ST is contributing to the development of the China automotive industry as it enters the crucial phase of independent innovation.