Gemalto connects China’s first Internet Car launched by Banma

​​​​Amsterdam, Jan. 10 – Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), th​e world leader in digital security, is partnering with Banma Technologies Co., Ltd for the production of China’s first Internet Car – the Roewe RX5. Banma is a new joint venture between Alibaba Group and SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor).

The RX5 leverages Gemalto’s Machine Identification Module, MIM™ – securing cellular M2M connections for industrial applications – and features advanced telematics such as Bluetooth virtual car key, locationing of the vehicle, voice-command-enabled remote control of in-car functions, and real-time road condition alerts, etc. The MIM is compliant with the GSMA standards and supports remote provisioning of any operator’s profile.​​​

The Chinese car market is currently the largest and fastest-growing in the world¹​. In 2015, foreign and domestic car makers sold a total of 21.1 million passenger cars, up by 7.3% compared to 2014. For 2016, the local connected car market is expected to generate a substantial revenue of US$7.7 million². With an estimated compound annual growth rate of 45%, this market is potentially worth up to US$33.9 million by 2020. Moreover, connected car penetration in China is projected to triple from 4.8% to 18.1% over the same period.

“The Roewe RX5, empowered by Alibaba’s YunOS operating system, is the first mass produced internet car.  It’s a breakthrough embodying years of research and technological innovation,” said Alex Shi, CEO of Banma. “It is a product that demands the most secure and reliable end-to-end connectivity.“

“Connected cars mark the beginning of digital transformation across the automotive industry, paving the way for autonomous vehicles in the near future,” said Suzanne Tong-Li, President, Greater China & Korea at Gemalto. “Our expertise and global experience, combined with tried-and-tested secure connectivity solutions, put us in a sweet spot to help car manufacturers create smarter and more connected vehicles“.

1 Sou​​rce: Forbes
2 ​Source: Statista