The automotive storage market has always been a major growth driver for the NAND storage manufacturers. According to recently published market research data, the current global annual sales volume of automobiles is around 70 million to 90 million units, with recent fluctuation related to the pandemic and shortage of automotive chips. Although many NAND storage devices are currently used in vehicles, they are still mainly used in small-capacity applications, including car navigation, driving recorders, digital electronic instrument panels, electronic center consoles, and audio-visual equipment. However, this trend will change with the development of driving assistance systems and self-driving cars.

Kuo Yao Wen, Vice President of SGS Group Taiwan, who guided Phison to pass ISO 26262, said, "As the automobile market leans more deeply into autonomous vehicle technology and computer-driven applications, functional safety and stricter development and QA process throughout the supply chain are critical. The Functional Safety Certification is an important point of validation and a milestone in the journey to build automotive storage solutions that lead to safer vehicles. SGS Taiwan is proud to work with Phison as they seek to increase customer value, improve safety and reliability standards and expand the international automotive electronics market.”

K.S. Pua, CEO of Phison Electronics, explained that due to the sensitivities, requirements and regulations in the automotive market, including long customer verification processes (1-2+years), long-term supply contracts (10+ years), and extremely high product stability standards (target DPPM 0, no failures during product use), Phison’s process starts at the design level to ensure that the company’s automotive storage solutions meet the needs of global automotive customers. Phison has also built a set of safety mechanisms into its automotive products designed to detect impending failures and notify vehicle owners in advance, further ensuring that its products are safe.