Kariya, Japan, November 29, 2017
DENSO Corporation and NEC Platforms Ltd, a subsidiary of NEC Corporation, have unveiled a new joint venture, Denso Next Co Ltd. The company will develop in-vehicle information and communications equipment critical for fostering a truly connected environment inside vehicles, such as instrument clusters, head-up displays, and on-board communication equipment. The company will start operations on December 1, 2017.
The recent cockpit innovation and advancement of connected technologies have made communication between products in the cabin more complicated, rapidly increasing the need to develop in-vehicle products more efficiently. Denso Next will harness Denso's advanced automotive engineering and manufacturing capabilities, and NEC Group's advanced technologies and track record in the information and communications technology (ICT) business to quickly design and bring to market advanced in-vehicle equipment.
Denso Next will be located on the premises of NEC's Tamagawa Plant in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. Takahiro Katoh will be President of the JV. Denso has a 51 per cent stake in the JV while NEC Platforms has 49 per cent. With a capital of 15 million yen the company was established on November 24, 2017.
Denso Next combines Denso's deep experience with automotive components and NEC and NEC Platforms' expertise in IT and network technologies and experience in developing automotive components. NEC and NEC Platforms have expertise in ICT and conventional in-vehicle equipment through their development of wireless communication and software products. Their expertise will be applied to achieve further advancement of in-vehicle equipment that requires high reliability and long-term assurance.
In December 2016, Denso and NEC started to collaborate in advanced driver assistance, automated driving, and manufacturing using AI and IoT. The two companies will take full advantage of technologies, products, and organisations created through the collaboration to help create a safe and secure automotive society for all people around the world.