AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – International automotive supplier Continental will launch production this month of short-range radar sensors for advanced driver assistance systems at its plant in Seguin, Texas.
"Expanding our manufacturing capacity takes us a step closer to our American customers," said Christian Schumacher, head of the North American Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business unit of Continental’s Chassis & Safety Division. "’In the market for the market’ is a keystone of our strategy. A single line will handle production initially, but additional lines are in preparation to satisfy the demand of OEMs manufacturing in the U.S.
"We plan to produce some 3 million short-range radar sensors in Seguin in 2016," Schumacher added. "The numbers say something about how rapidly demand is rising for short-range radar functions like blind spot detection or rear cross traffic alert. Legislation is a driving force but also our customers’ desire for increased safety and comfort is providing a major impetus."
Continental says it has experienced rapid growth in the business with sensor technologies like camera, lidar and radar. Since production began in 1999, Continental has turned out more than 10 million sensors, and 4.5 million last year alone. Next year should see the 26-million mark, some 10 million of which will be radar sensors (short- and long-range radars). However, cameras – mono, stereo and camera systems for a 360-degree surround detection – also are booming, the company adds. Lane departure warning, intelligent headlamp control plus such functions as traffic sign recognition and camera-based parking assistant systems are becoming increasingly popular in all classes of cars.
The Seguin facility, located approximately 35 miles northeast of San Antonio, currently employs more than 1,300 people and also manufactures powertrain control modules for some of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. One in five vehicles sold in the U.S. include Continental engine controllers manufactured in Seguin.
