AT&S, Europe’s largest printed circuit boards maker, sets sights on China’s booming smart EV market

AT&S has been in discussions with carmakers and component suppliers about partnerships in the world’s largest automotive market, says its China chief executive

China’s smart car market grew in leaps and bounds last year, led by Tesla, whose Shanghai-made cars struck a chord with mainland drivers

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An Xpeng P5 car on display at the Auto Shanghai 2021 motor show. Smart car assemblers are in a race to build EVs that have autonomous assistance features. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:04pm, 25 May 2021Updated: 11:42pm, 25 May 2021

Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik (AT&S), Europe’s biggest maker of printed circuit boards, has taken a first step in tapping China’s intelligent vehicle market as autonomous driving, digital connectivity and in-car entertainment create surging demand for its products.

Phua Chen Jiang, the company’s China chief executive, told the Post that AT&S had been in discussions with carmakers and component suppliers about business partnerships in the world’s largest automotive market.

“We are prepared for the huge business opportunity,” Phua said. “The market has just taken off and we are planning ahead to ensure we have enough capacity to satisfy the needs of the clients.”

Printed circuit boards are used in mobile phones, digital devices and cars.

AT&S also manufactures HDI (high-density interconnect) boards and integrated circuit substrates – the critical interfaces between the semiconductor chip and the printed circuit board.