Gemalto to secure M2M communications for Banma's first Internet car

Gemalto, th​e digital security provider, is partnering with Banma Technologies Company on the production of China's first Internet car, the Roewe RX5. Banma is a new joint venture between Alibaba Group and SAIC Motor Corporation.

The RX5 leverages Gemalto's Machine Identification Module (MIM) to secure cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) connections for industrial applications. The MIM will support advanced telematics such as a Bluetooth virtual car key, locating of the vehicle, voice-command-enabled remote control of in-car functions, and real-time road condition alerts, etc. 

The Chinese car market is currently the largest in the world*. China is expected to boast annual vehicle sales of more than 30 million by 2020, predicts PwC. For 2016, the local connected car market is expected to generate a substantial revenue of US$7.7 million**. With an estimated CAGR of 45%, this market is potentially worth up to US$33.9 million by 2020. Moreover, connected car penetration in China is projected to triple from 4.8% to 18.1% over the same period.

"The Roewe RX5, empowered by Alibaba's YunOS operating system, is the first mass produced Internet car. It's a breakthrough embodying years of research and technological innovation," said Alex Shi, CEO of Banma. "It is a product that demands the most secure and reliable end-to-end connectivity."

"Connected cars mark the beginning of digital transformation across the automotive industry, paving the way for autonomous vehicles in the near future," said Suzanne Tong-Li, President, Greater China & Korea at Gemalto. "Our expertise and global experience, combined with tried-and-tested secure connectivity solutions, put us in a sweet spot to help car manufacturers create smarter and more connected vehicles."

*Sou​​rce: PwC
**​Source: Statista