From Daimler to Denso (DENSO), the manufacturers and suppliers of the automotive industry are striving to open up a new business space for themselves. Among them, the Internet dating car is a major event they have bet on.
In the past, automotive companies often relied on the cooperation between telecommunications and chip companies. But today, the auto giants are planning to independently develop the most advanced connected cars.
According to CBInsights statistics, in 2017, the investment of connected car startups reached a new peak, with an annual financing amount exceeding 500 million U.S. dollars.
For automotive intelligent networking (V2X) technology, investment in vehicle telematics software has accounted for 43% of financing in the automotive industry over the past year, more than any other category. These technologies allow cars to communicate with other cars, pedestrian devices and infrastructure. A brand new travel experience and scene.
CBInsights uses the Business Social Model (BSG) to portray the current private car market investments of existing car suppliers and original equipment manufacturers in connected car technologies.
CBInsights defines connected car technologies as any technology that connects vehicles to external networks, or enhances the driving experience to prevent accidents through real-time diagnostic feeds, smart navigation functions, or vehicle detection tools.
The survey covers 18 connected car companies supported or acquired by at least one company since 2013:
Note: The orange line represents the acquisition. The green line represents the investment. Red represents the startup that develops V2X technology and/or fleet telematics software.
Survey highlights:
1. Existing auto companies are jointly investing in V2X and fleet telematics startups.
As of July, Nauto's $159 million Series B round of financing was the largest equity deal since 2012. Several of the auto companies involved, including BMW, General Motors, and Toyota, have developed V2X technology, which is currently used by Nauto. Connect the car to detect collisions and track driver behavior. The company plans to use this funding to develop V2X technology for autonomous vehicles.
Many car companies also co-invested with Peloton Technology, a fleet telematics company that develops V2X technology for truck queuing. Nidec, Magna and Volvo have all participated in the company’s $60 million B round. Financing. The transaction was also supported by industry (Lockheed Martin) and logistics (UPS) participants.
2. Cyber security is the focus of automotive suppliers.
Cyber security startups that focus on connecting cars also see more and more investment, especially car suppliers.
Denso has invested heavily in dellfer and ActiveScaler. In November 2017, Continental acquired ArgusCyber Security (the company also received Magna's upfront funding). Aptiv acquired Movimento Group in January 2017.
3. Early incubators actively invest in in-car diagnostics and infotainment systems.
Jaguar Land Rover and Infiniti Motors (a subsidiary of Nissan) have all set up technology incubators designed specifically for intelligent connected cars.
Jaguar Land Rover recently invested in CloudCar (diagnostic platform) and MycroftAI (AI-driven voice assistant). Infiniti has been focusing on diagnostic and infotainment startups, including DRVEN and RoadLaunch.
General Motors allows owners to shop directly from the vehicle's infotainment system on the go, including its Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac all begin to embed this system. Drivers can get many possible purchase options, including Dunkin's donuts , Wingstop, Shell, ExxonMobil, Applebee, etc. General Motors initially focused on retailers and gas station suppliers because these are the most influential drivers for driving owners.
You can also reserve a restaurant while driving and reserve a parking space in advance. In addition, the store procurement process is actually designed to be used in actual driving. The procurement process is designed to minimize distractions and maintain attention.
The research objects of CBInsights mainly include:
Automobile manufacturers
Audi / Audi Electronics Business
BMW Group/BMW i Venture Capital
Daimler
General Motors/GMVentures
INFINITILAB/INFINITILAB TORONTO
Jaguar Land Rover/Jaguar Land Rover Technology Incubator
Porsche Automotive Holdings
Toyota AI Venture Capital
VW/Volkswagen Concept: Hub
Volvo Group Venture Capital
Automotive suppliers
APTIV
Otolif
mainland
Delphi Venture Capital
DENSO/DENSO International USA
Magna/Magna International
SAIC/ SAIC Capital
Valeo
