Hyundai Motor sets up electronic control system firm

Hyundai Motor Group said Sunday it completed the registration of a newly established electronic control systems company named Hyundai Autron, which will design electronic control software and semiconductors.

Hyundai Autron aims to secure its own technologies for designing automotive electric and electronic systems, non-memory semiconductors, software, electromagnetic controllers and telecommunication standardization.

Korean carmakers have depended on imports for electronic control systems and automotive semiconductors so far.

Recently released vehicles, however, require some 200 system semiconductors, which makes electronic control components account for 20 to 30 percent of the total vehicle production cost.

Through cooperation with affiliates such as Hyundai Mobis and Kefico, Hyundai Autron will seek to supply top-notch automotive electronic control systems, the group said in a statement.

The new company plans to double its research and development staff from the current 200 to around 400 by the end of this year and to 500 next year.

It will also be in charge of professional training and consulting for employees in the area of electronic control systems.