Mainland China-based Yuyao Chaohui offers keyless entry systems with engine start, window roll-down and trunk release functions.

Multiple functions are incorporated in aftermarket models. Product differentiation in the OE segment yields handsfree designs.

Keyless entry suppliers in mainland China and Taiwan are offering user-friendly solutions to spur export growth. Although the focus remains on multifunction remote-controlled designs, there is also an emerging trend for smart handsfree units.

To meet aftermarket demand, the majority of companies are stepping up production of integrated remote keyless entry systems. These usually come with panic alarm, engine start, window roll-down, wiper control and trunk release options.

But the line’s mature technology has forced most suppliers to hold back on new product development. As such, those in the mainland are concentrating instead on quality and capability upgrades for their existing models.

RKE, in fact, is already being included as a standard feature in most vehicles. This limits future growth opportunities in the OE segment, prompting some companies to tap the potential of passive keyless entry systems as a product differentiator. Furthermore, PKE adoption among automobile assemblers in Europe, North America and Japan is expected to increase steadily in coming years.

Unlike RKE, which requires pushing a button on the remote transmitter, PKE models permit handsfree access once users carrying an authenticated ID device come in proximity to the vehicle.

This nascent, high-margin line is attracting Taiwan makers that are looking to escape the fierce competition posed by RKE manufacturers in lower-cost hubs.

Currently, about five suppliers in the island are offering PKE systems. One of these is Vision Automobile Electronics Industrial Co. Ltd, which ventured into the category earlier this year.

R&D in Taiwan is facilitated by the domestic Automotive Research & Testing Center, which supports companies in the form of technology transfers. The institute has developed PKE systems with RFID chipsets that conform to ISO 14453 Type A and B standards. The read range is only 10cm, making it difficult for carjackers to intercept the signals.

ARTC has also recently designed a module featuring a chipset capable of remote and fingerprint identification. This is suitable for installation in a credit card or mobile phone.

Pandora Digital Co. Ltd is among the few PKE manufacturers in the mainland. Equipped with an RFID chip, models from the company lock doors and set off the security system once the driver is 2.5 to 3m away from the vehicle. When this distance exceeds 3m, the windows roll up automatically. The read range for opening doors and disabling the alarm is 1.5 to 2m.

Pandora also incorporates trunk release and engine start functions in its PKE products.

Ruian Oumei Auto Parts Co. Ltd and Yuyao Chaohui Electronics Co. Ltd, also of the mainland, plan to join the PKE line in 2009.

	This passive keyless entry system from mainland China's Pandora has an RFID read range of 1.5 to 3m.

As price and technical concerns hamper R&D in the PKE segment, companies continue to concentrate on aftermarket RKE systems.

In the mainland, more than 80 percent of output currently consists of multifunction models. Exports of these are forecast to increase by 5 percent as suppliers strengthen their presence in Europe, North America and the Middle East. The bulk of shipments are under OEM contracts.

Besides bolstering production, makers are enhancing quality and design capability to gain an edge in the low-end and midrange segments.

Shenzhen Supa Industry Co. Ltd has started adopting fiberglass instead of traditional ABS and PP to enhance housing durability.

The company is also introducing upgrades to extend service life beyond 80,000km and the operating temperature range to between -40 and 85 C.

Efforts are geared toward its existing RKE line, which permits domelight supervision, and signal lamp and windshield wiper control. Window roll-down, trunk release and car-finding options are also integrated.

Products operate at a transmission range of less than 50m and a frequency of 315 ±1MHz. The voltage and current ratings are 9 to 16V and <30A, respectively.

Shenzhen Supa’s main export markets are Europe, North America and Asia.

Shenzhen Huaweisheng Electronics Co. Ltd equips models with a code-learning receiver that can program transmitter codes into the system.

In the case of a lost key fob, this enables the user to adopt the same code as the old remote transmitter.

The company’s RKE systems also allow trunk release, car finding, signal lights control and window roll-down. The remote transmission range is 150m at a frequency of 415 or 433.92MHz.

Shenzhen Huaweisheng ships to Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

Yuyao Chaohui offers designs capable of opening windows and trunks, starting engines and locating vehicles. Models CH-417A and CH-417B operate within 100m at a frequency of 315 or 433.9MHz. The majority of exports go to the EU and North America.

With a 100m transmission range, Ruian Oumei’s RKE systems feature a panic alarm and a car finder. The frequency options are 315, 430 and 433.9MHz.

RKE models from Spacekey Auto Electronics Co. Ltd are configured to sound or disable the panic alarm with a push of a button. The line is shipped to Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

Of the Taiwan suppliers in this report, CL Auto Metal Industrial Co. Ltd combines keyless entry with panic alarm, window roll-down, trunk release and engine start functions.