In-car chargers

	Shenzhen Topmay offers model ETM-CAR-2USB, a PSU multi-device car charger with dual USB ports and a retractable extension cable.

Models with USB and mini USB ports, as well as 3.5mm DC power jacks, interface with various onboard electronic devices.

China’s multi-device car charger manufacturing industry is growing, with exports picking up steadily with demand. The mainstream offerings from the region are integrated with standard or mini USB ports and 3.5mm DC power jacks. These car chargers usually offer 5V (±5%) DC output voltage with up to 1,000mA maximum current and can support at least two portable electronic devices simultaneously. Some suppliers also offer models with retractable extension cables, which are forecast to be the next hot items under the product line.

Most makers from China offer midrange and high-end multi-device car chargers, differentiated by the number of output ports, output current range and DC-DC converter ICs used. Midrange models sell from $1.50 to $2.50, while high-end versions are priced from $4 to $5.50.

Rising costs of labor, components and raw materials, however, have impacted the multi-device car charger segment. Compounded by the continued strengthening of the yuan, price forecasts point to a 5 to 10 percent increase by the end of 2008.

Faced with this prospect, China makers conduct production processes such as mold making, plastic injection and assembly in-house, and source raw materials and components locally to cut back on costs and ensure quality.

	The CLA Charger from Shenzhen Cailiang is a multi-device USB car charger for PDAs, MP3 players and other portable electronics.

Multi-device car chargers with USB ports have become standard in the product line. Differentiation between midrange and high-end models depend on the number of output ports, output current range supported and DC-DC converter ICs used. For instance, the MC34063 DC-DC converter IC module used by most China car charger makers, which provides 3V to 30V input and 3V to 40V output voltage with 1.5A maximum output current, is less expensive than the AZ34063 IC adopted by some makers.

China makers source quality components and raw materials from local suppliers to ensure RoHS-compliant and UL- and CE-approved output and at the same time cut down on production costs.

The BW-C027 multi-device car charger from Best Wisdom Industrial (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd features two output ports for PDAs and MP4 players. It is RoHS-compliant and has CE, FCC and EMC certifications.

Best Wisdom has set up a 20-man R&D department, targeting about 10 new model releases in the next 12 months. The ISO 9001-standard company will pay more attention to developing models with add-on functions and meeting environmental requirements.

Among Shenzhen Cailiang Electronics Co. Ltd’s latest offerings is the CLA Charger, a multi-device car charger with dual USB output ports for charging mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players and other portable electronic devices.

The company’s 10-engineer R&D team plans to release three new models in the next 12 months. These upcoming RoHS-compliant models will carry CE and FCC certifications and highlight the company’s focus on external design and add-on functions.

Shenzhen Topmay Electronic Co. Ltd’s ETM-CAR-2USB car charger supports two or more electronic devices and features a retractable extension cable. The model has an LED status indicator, and short circuit and over-voltage protection features.

Shenzhen Topmay’s R&D team consists of 20 engineers working on the aesthetic and circuit design of about 20 new projects for release in the next 12 months. The company is certified under the ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001 and TS 16949 standards, and its products carry 3C, CE, MIC, SA, UL, FCC and TÜV approvals.

Model CC-002 from Dongguan Yezone Technology Ltd is a dual USB multi-device car charger that can charge two electronic devices, including iPods. The unit has a built-in current optimization logic IC, which delivers a constant 5V noise-free output and a fused circuit for protection against power spikes.

Dongguan Yezone’s 10-man R&D team plans to release 10 new models for the midrange and high-end markets in the next 12 months. The company is certified under the ISO 9001 standard and its products are CE- and FCC-approved.

Rising export demand is prompting China suppliers of multi-device car chargers to increase their production quotas. Their average monthly capacity is about 100,000 units, and their main export destinations are North America, Western Europe and Japan.

There are more than 1,000 multi-device car charger manufacturers in the region. Seventy percent are based in Guangdong province, particularly in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan, while the rest are spread across Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. The supply chains are centered in Ningbo and Xiamen.

With costs of labor, raw materials and components on the upswing, makers are opting to source raw materials locally and conduct production in-house.

Best Wisdom has a monthly output of about 20,000 multi-device chargers, which are exported mainly to North America and Western Europe as OEM orders. The company also markets its own Coyouth brand. Its 4,000sqm facility is manned by 300 personnel. It produced 100,000 units in 2007 and 150,000 units in H1 2008. Best Wisdom’s products are sold from $1.50 to $2.

Shenzhen Cailiang manufactures 10,000 multi-device car chargers monthly at its 1,600-worker, 2,000sqm factory. Eighty percent of output is exported to North and South America, and Western Europe. The company rolled out 120,000 units and exported 75,000 units in 2007, with about a 20 to 30 percent increase forecast for 2008. Its multi-device car chargers are priced at $2.10.

Shenzhen Topmay’s 1,000sqm facility employs 400 workers and has been turning out 20,000 multi-device car chargers monthly. Twenty-five percent of production is exported as OEM orders to North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, and Japan. The company’s production volume reached 120,000 units in H1 2008.

Dongguan Yezone employs 210 workers and operates a 3,000sqm factory, which has a monthly capacity of 40,000 multi-device car chargers. It quotes $1.50 to $2.50 for its multi-device car chargers. Dongguan Yezone exports half of its output to Europe as OEM orders. The company produced 25,000 units in H1 2008.