Omron to Achieve Number One Market Position in Remote Keyless Entry Systems in North America by 2007
New 2005 Business with North American Automakers Spurs Growth
NOVI, Mich., Oct. 19 -- Omron Automotive Electronics projects it will hold the number one market position in North America for remote keyless entry (RKE) systems by 2007.
The growth is due largely to nearly three million RKE systems Omron will supply beginning with 2005-06 model year cars and light-trucks produced by domestic automakers.
"We've been supplying RKE systems to Japanese manufacturers in North America since 1996. We sell more of these systems in Japan than any of our competitors," says Jerry Bricker, vice president and general sales manager, Omron. "We currently have a 23 percent market share of the RKE market in Japan, and expect to do even better in North America by the 2007 Model Year."
RKE systems are now widely accepted by consumers in North America, where the new vehicle installation rate exceeds 80 percent.
Omron's RKE system provides significant benefits for automakers, including: reduced cost, increased functionality adding controls such as for various power closures and remote start, compact size, lighter weight, a flexible design (one basic system for multiple vehicle platforms), a compact antenna design, and low power consumption.
Omron has been developing technologically advanced RKE systems since the 1980s and has been in production with them since 1985. Omron designs and assembles RKE systems in Japan and St. Charles, IL. Other assembly sites include Korea and Thailand.
Omron uses radio frequency (RF) technology as the basis for its RKE system, though the company also supplies infrared (IR) systems, primarily in Japan.
Omron has extensive experience with RF applications. The company has recently added new applications including passive entry systems, which allow hands-free locking and unlocking of car doors, and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS).
About Omron
Omron Automotive Electronics, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, USA, is a division of Omron Automotive Electronic Components Company, Nagoya, Japan. Omron Automotive designs and manufactures a wide range of advanced electronic control units and sensors, including lidar sensors, remote keyless entry systems and power window and sliding door anti-pinch controls. Other products include various ergonomic switch assemblies and PCB and plug-in relays. The division has 700 employees in North America with one manufacturing facility in the U.S. and two in Canada. Sales for the 2003 fiscal year were $185 million.
Omron Corporation was founded as a maker of relays for x-ray timers in 1933. In addition to automotive electronic components, the company's major markets include industrial automation, electronic and mechanical components for commercial and industrial uses, healthcare products, ATM machines, card readers and traffic control systems, plus new ventures into intelligent transportation systems, information technology, and wireless communications. The corporation has more than 23,000 employees in 35 countries globally. Fiscal year 2003 sales exceeded $5.5 billion.