This image provided by Hyundai Motor Group shows its independent Genesis brand’s connected car operating system.
SEOUL, May 30 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of connected cars in South Korea has surpassed 7 million, which accounts for one out of every four cars on the road.
A connected car refers to a vehicle that is equipped with wireless connectivity both inside and outside the vehicle.
This enables new functionality such as accessing traffic information and content, and remotely controlling the car, including starting the engine or adjusting the temperature. Essentially, cars have transformed into smart devices.
Based on the wireless communication service vehicle control statistics compiled by the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) and released by the Ministry of Science and ICT, there were 7.1 million units of connected cars in Korea as of March.
This figure represents 27.6 percent of the total number of automobile registrations (approximately 25.6 million units of) as of the same month.
In 2014, there were only 660,000 units of connected cars in South Korea, accounting for 3.3 percent of the total number of vehicles on the road.
However, the number has consistently grown over the years, reaching 2.46 million in 2019 (10.4 percent), 3.64 million in 2020 (15 percent), and 6.62 million in 2022 (26 percent).
This upward trend showcases the transformation of connected cars from a futuristic concept to a commonplace reality.
Concurrently, the usage of mobile apps for accessing connected car services has also seen a steady increase.
Last month, the combined number of users for connected car apps across major Korean brands, available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, reached 3.6 million.
Compared to the previous year, this figure represents a 16 percent increase, and a notable 37.3 percent increase compared to April 2021.
The Mercedes me connect app is seen in this photo provided by Mercedes-Benz korea.
Among the Korean car brands, Hyundai Motor Co.’s Blue Link boasts the highest number of users with 1.46 million (42 percent), followed by Kia Corp.’s Connect with 1.38 million (38 percent) and Genesis’ Connected with 346,000 (10 percent).
Other brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Renault Korea Motors, KG Mobility, and Tesla also have a considerable user base for their respective connected car apps.
As the automotive industry continues to witness technological advancements and deregulation, connected cars are becoming an integral part of our lives.
With the current growth trajectory, it is projected that the number of connected cars will surpass that of traditional cars before 2030.
The rise of connected cars signifies a new era in transportation, where vehicles are seamlessly integrated with digital connectivity and innovative services.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
