Automobiles have progressed from pure mechanical structures to configurations with participation of electronic elements. As early as 1970s, the average value of automobiles containing electronic equipment was approximately $100 while at the beginning of 21st century, this value had skyrocketed to $1500 and it has climbed to $2000 in 2013. At present, global automobile electronic market has exceeded $150 billion and the number will be estimated to be over $240 billion by 2020.

Furthermore, it is estimated by automobile industry that automotive electronic system with a market capitalization of $191 billion will go up to that with $314.4 billion by 2020, with an average compound growth rate of 7.3%. A top-level automobile possibly contains 150 electronic control units that are mostly sensors and processors inside cockpit. According to reports, the real value of 65% of electronic products lies in dynamical system, safety and security features, automobile body and chassis and most is concerned with digital power. Electronic value in electromobiles will go over 70%.

When it comes to automobiles partly controlled through electronic equipment, printed circuit boards (PCBs) definitely have to be applied in them like cars, trucks, sub assemblies, dealer support systems, passenger vehicles, trailers etc. The year of 2014 witnessed the value of global automotive PCBs reaching 4.6 billion dollars and this number is estimated to be above 7 billion dollars by 2020.

Application of automotive system based on circuit boards aims to increase automotive performance that is displayed in three leading aspects: environment concern, security enhancement, convenience and comfort. Environment concern includes higher fuel economy and tailpipe emission reduction, that is, a process from gasoline, natural gas and biofuel to hybrid power and pure electricity. Electromobiles have become the main development trend. Security enhancement refers to traffic accidents restraints which depend on reliability of airbag system, radar monitoring, stereo camera, night infrared monitoring, automatic collision-avoidance and automatic driving. It's estimated that self-driving automobiles will be commercialized in three years. Convenience and comfort ranges from audio specific to automobiles, video and air conditioner to computer, mobile communication, Internet, navigation and electronic toll collection all of which have to be more convenient and user-friendly.

However, confronted with oceans of PCB manufacturers and assemblers claiming their capability on automotive circuit boards around the world, are you ready to pick a trustworthy one that is both compatible with requirement on quality, cost and time? In this article, 5 ways will be introduced to provide step-by-step guidelines based on which you'll embrace the optimal automotive PCB manufacturer or assembler. Just some time spent in reading an article for excellent products and service, that's a real bargain!