Automobiles have been a part of human history since the late 1800s. Much more than just a way to get from here to there, cars are central to our daily lives and even our identities. There are probably as many opinions about cars as there are models out there for purchase. Some enthusiasts rise early to polish another coat of wax on their vintage 1959 Chevrolet Apache truck. Others can’t wait to take their Formula One-style racer out for a hair-raising spin. Some are all about the sleek technology in the electric car they drive today. Whether you are a vintage car fanatic, or looking forward the first version of a commercially available autonomous vehicle – KEMET is there.
KEMET’s History & Progression in the Automotive Industry
Our history in the automotive industry spans back decades to the late 1950s when KEMET’s parts powered classics like the 1959 Chevrolet Impala and 1959 Pontiac Bonneville. Through the decades, we enhanced and expanded our automotive offerings to other well-known manufacturers. Notably, in the 1990s, we received Ford’s Total Quality and Excellence Award, which led to KEMET being the exclusive supplier of ceramic and tantalum capacitors to Ford by the year 2000. Today, you’ll find us powering your car’s navigation system and looking ahead at making autonomous driving vehicles a very near reality.
In fact, our comprehensive line of surface mount and through-hole devices are utilized in a wide variety of computer, telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics. You may not see us, but we’re working quietly in the background as you go about your day. KEMET is there on your morning drive to work with our electronic components to power the navigation system that gets you to the office a little faster. KEMET is also there helping light the path on your drive home in your car’s adaptive headlights and anti-lock brakes, making sure you get exactly where you need to go.
KEMET in Your Car Today
KEMET contributes to the automotive industry in various systems, from the steering wheel and anti-lock brakes that get you to the school drop-off line safely, to the infotainment module that connects you to your data in the cloud. We’re even part of an Italian Formula 1 racer that’s making headlines on the speedway. But if you only like to daydream about driving like a professional race car driver, you can take pride in knowing your car uses the same KEMET parts as the pros. KEMET parts are trusted for quality and performance from the race track to your driveway.
Here are some of the places in your vehicle where you’ll find KEMET parts today:
- Automotive Safety Systems: KEMET parts power safety features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, steering torque control, crash avoidance/lane detection systems, backup cameras, and adaptive headlights to make your car ride safer and more responsive.
- Automotive Control Systems: KEMET is inside some of the things you love most about your car, like the dashboard, navigation, and entertainment systems. You’ll find us powering the cluster and infotainment module.
- Automotive Powertrain: KEMET’s components are found in your car’s battery, fuel pump, speed sensor, and traction control, among various other powertrain areas in your vehicle.
How KEMET is Shaping the Future of Automotive Tech
If you think cars are smart now, imagine what we’ll be enjoying on the daily ride when 5G technology becomes commonplace. Looking ahead, as 5G begins to take center stage, we can expect the digitization and automation of transportation to include the need for KEMET’s high-temperature and high-frequency components to enable features such as noise radiation suppression and internal interference suppression in the navigation system, as well as inter-device connectivity.
It doesn’t matter where you’re going or how you choose to get there. You can rest assured knowing that KEMET is there to make the journey an enjoyable and safe one.