Teardown- Tesla 2013 Model S

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In this Electronics360 webinar, IHS Teardown experts reveal key findings from inside the Tesla 2013 Model S and its electronic components. Tesla, the storied independent manufacturer of electric cars and electric powertrain components, is an industry disrupter constantly in the headlines—thanks to brash and bold maneuvers in the spheres of design, technology, energy and IP. Attendees will sharpen their competitive edge by understanding Tesla piece by piece from the perspective of an IHS Teardown expert. 

The Tesla is not only a ground breaking electric vehicle, but breaks new ground in infotainment. IHS teardowns show that the high bill of electronics reflects in a unique 17” screen and attention-grabbing navigation and infotainment system. Tesla’s infotainment system for its model S is not manufactured by tier 1s like Harman, Continental, and Bosch. PCBs from Tesla are branded with its logo, reflecting the fact that it designs and specs the premium “media control unit” itself, with...

Tesla has maintained its position of being unique in the automotive industry. IHS teardowns show that the high bill of electronics reflects in the 12.3” digital instrument cluster. This panel has a 1280 by 480-resolution LCD from Japan Display Inc. which happens to be one of the Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6-plus supplier. In terms of semiconductor content, this virtual instrument cluster has four times the semiconductor value compared to a hybrid instrument cluster such as the one in...

In recent years, the demand and expectation for cellular connectivity has expanded beyond consumer electronic devices, with corporations and governments worldwide taking steps to enable constant communication capabilities in their various assets, machines, and equipment. This trend has led to the rapid expansion of the cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) market, which IHS defines as the “connection of remote devices, machines and sensors to server-based applications using cellular...

For a long time, automotive display market has been dominated by Japanese suppliers. The three Japanese panel suppliers, Japan Display, Sharp and Kyocera Display, have accounted for over 50% of all LCDs used in before-market (original equipment) automotive displays in the last 3 years. However, recently we are seeing some quick market share gains from Taiwanese panel suppliers, who accounted for around 30% market share in 2013, a 10 percentage point gain from 2011...

As the amount of content made available in automotive vehicles increases, the demand for on-board navigation, entertainment (infotainment) systems, and digital instrument clusters is growing exponentially. The use of displays in automobiles is becoming a growing standard and no longer reserved for luxury cars. Center stack display (CSD) and Driver Information Display (DID) are the two major segments for the in-market (installed during vehicle manufacturing phases) automotive display...

The introduction of 4G LTE data network is paving the way for a more promising future to realize IoT (Internet of Things), a concept of technology that can be used to bring Internet connectivity to just about any device. Underlining the concept, the car, the “ultimate mobile device”, is transforming from a separate transport vehicle into part of a connected network of peer mobile devices with telematics data sharing and becomes the so called “connected car.” Data including speed, direction and real...

Capped by last week’s announcement that Qualcomm Inc. would buy CSR PLC, the automotive semiconductor industry recently has been undergoing a wave of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity that has shaken up the competitive order of the market. In two major deals announced in August, Germany’s Infineon Technologies AG said it would acquire U.S.-based International Rectifier Corp., while On Semiconductor Corp. sealed a deal to acquire fellow American...

Everyone knows that Tesla Motors Inc. doesn’t do things the same way as other automakers. However, the company’s unique approach to automaking runs far deeper than the Model S’s electric drivetrain, battery packs and futuristic body. In fact, the company’s unconventional approach extends all the way down the electronics behind the car’s infotainment and instrumentation systems, according to the Teardown Analysis Service at IHS Technology (NYSE: IHS)...

The use of smartphones in motor vehicles—already a near-ubiquitous phenomenon—is the most disruptive trend in the automotive infotainment business today, presenting both challenges and opportunities for automakers and their processor semiconductor suppliers. The most promising prospect for automotive processors in the years ahead will be in the telematics portal head unit, which can connect with a smartphone for mobile broadband connectivity. Revenue for automotive....