Date: 17/04/2011

NXP has shipped 0.5 billion ABS speed sensor modules

NXP Semiconductors N.V. has announced that it has shipped more than half a billion ABS speed sensor modules - a key milestone in NXP's relationship with Continental, one of the leading global automotive suppliers. The Chassis & Safety Division of Continental has worked closely with NXP to develop advanced ABS/ESC sensor modules that are now used by most car manufacturers in the world, in both the standard and high-end segments of the market.

"The reliability, precision and functionality of our wheel speed sensors are key for our leading position in the global market- and our close collaboration with NXP has been important to our success," said Dr. Bernhard Klumpp, executive vice president, Business Unit Sensorics, Continental. "Our wheel speed sensors also form a foundation for our advanced driver assistance - systems such as Emergency Brake Assist City, which can prevent nose-to-tail collisions in urban traffic."

Installation of anti-lock brake systems (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) has grown steadily over the past few decades, and is expected to grow significantly, particularly in emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil. According to Strategy Analytics, total demand for ABS and ESC systems reached 45.7 million units in 2009, and is expected to reach 91.9 million units in 2017, with up to four wheel speed sensors per system. In Western markets, ABS has become standard in new vehicles; in the US, ESC will be required for all 2012 model year cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and minivans by September 2011, while in Europe, ESC is now mandatory for new model types by 2011 (EU Commission) and all new vehicles by the end of 2014.

"Continental is at the forefront of enabling new levels of safety and driver assistance, particularly in brake systems and chassis engineering," said Kurt Sievers, senior vice president and general manager, Automotive Business at NXP Semiconductors. "The proven track record of Continental's ABS wheel speed sensors, which feature MR sensor chips from NXP, is a strong testament to the reliability and performance of our speed sensors. They are also a great example of High Performance Mixed Signal technology in action."