KEC to supply LV MOSFET to Korea car firms
Chip to be used in over 80% of cars produced in Korea
South Korean company KEC has developed a low voltage MOSFET (LV MOSET) semiconductor for vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
The company will supply the chips, called KFS70N06K, to Hanon Systems and Doowon Climate Control, it said on Wednesday.
The chip will be applied to blow motor for the HAVC system. The chip has secured the AEC-Q certificate.
Hanon and Doowon is a tier-1 supplier to Hyundai Motor Group and Renault Samsung. KEC’s chips will be applied to chips produced in South Korea.
A KEC spokesperson said it has secured approval from the two companies back in October.
KEC’s MOSFET will be applied to around 80% of automobiles produced in South Korea, they said.
Hanon and Doowon controls 95% market share in South Korea’s HAVC market. The two firms has been using MOSFET made by Vishay Technology of the US.
According to Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, five local automobile companies produced 7.92 million cars in 2019.
KEC has previously sold power chips such as diode and SSTR to Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.
The company hired personnel from MagnaChip after it decided to expand its auto-component business. KEC spend 2.9% of its sales in research and development in 2019 and 2.8% in as of the third quarter of 2020. Prior to that, it spent less than 2% in R&D.
KEC clinched a LV MOSFET supply deal with Tesla back in August. Tesla is planning to produce over 5 million cars in 2025.