'We hope to forge partnerships in China that can help further develop this innovative service for drivers around the world,' said Kim Hoo-jong, a senior vice-president and head of services research and development at SK Telecom.

'The company aims for MIV to be included by manufacturers of both electric and non-electric cars, including those being made in China.'

A subsidiary of SK Telecom, Shenzhen-based E-eye High Tech, first introduced the MIV concept on the mainland last year, when it outfitted selected petrol-based car models.

At the Beijing Auto Show last Thursday, SK Telecom signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean electric car manufacturer CT&T United to collaborate in developing the technology for commercial use.

SK Telecom has already started work with Renault Samsung Motors to put MIV in one of its regular, unnamed car models for 2012.

To get a car from concept to showroom usually takes three years; two for design and development, and one for commercial preparations.

The promise of mobile telematics has been seen in fiction, such as Batman's Batmobile. In the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, the British secret agent's penchant for hi-tech gadgetry showed him remotely driving his custom-issued car with a special mobile telephone.

The MIV platform is designed to be more practical, combining wireless capabilities to manage a car's information, operating status and safety features.

The security function, for example, uses an internet-linked mobile handset to allow a car owner to remotely lock or unlock the vehicle from any distance, periodically check its status, and instantly pinpoint its location if stolen.

SK Telecom's ultimate goal is to have MIV systems in cars at the production line by 2012. The mainland represents a stellar launch pad for MIV since the country recorded car sales of 13.5 million units last year, overtaking the United States as the world's biggest market.

The potential of MIV on the mainland, which last month posted a 76 per cent jump in trade deficit to US$6.13 billion with Korea, has also increased in magnitude with the rapid development of 3G mobile broadband infrastructure within the country.

E-eye, in which SK Telecom bought a controlling stake in 2007 for 114.21 million yuan (HK$129.85 million), plans to initially provide its 'E-MIV' services to domestic-made Toyota and Honda car models.

The mainland firm, which runs a motorist call-centre service for more than 30,000 global positioning system-equipped cars on the mainland, intends to first deliver E-MIV services through 12 subsidiaries that operate more than 200 retail stores.

Peng Yangming, the chief executive and president at E-eye, said each store has relationships with as many as 12 car dealers, which extend their reach to about 2,400 dealer networks across the country.

Peng said the service fee on each car will be announced near the launch date. But the basic hardware purchase, which may include a smartphone, is expected to cost from 4,000 yuan to 6,000 yuan per car.

E-MIV revenue for E-eye is estimated to reach US$120 million by 2015, according to SK Telecom.

Remote control

Platform will manage a car's information, status and safety features

SK Telecom intends to put a mobile telematics package in a vehicle by: 2012