Kontron, a global provider of IoT and embedded computer technology, has secured a new European customer for its 5G Automotive Network Access Devices (NADs), which are developed in Berlin and manufactured in Düsseldorf, Germany. The modules will be integrated into the vehicle platform of a leading European car manufacturer. Initially, Kontron expects to supply approximately 150,000 5G NAD modules, valued at a double-digit million euro figure, with the potential to more than triple the volume if the technology is rolled out to additional vehicle platforms.
Production officially began on July 13, 2026, at Kontron's new facility in Düsseldorf, attended by federal and state government representatives. The company is currently the only provider worldwide to develop 5G communication modules in Europe and manufacture them in Germany, a fact that underscores the strategic importance of this contract for Europe's digital sovereignty.
5G communications modules are critical for digital transformation, used in vehicles, industrial plants, rail systems, and critical infrastructure. With increasing demands for cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, and technological sovereignty, the availability of European-developed modules becomes strategically vital. By manufacturing in Germany, Kontron offers short supply chains, high quality standards, and a trustworthy European supply chain.
"This order demonstrates that European OEMs and their suppliers are placing increasing emphasis on technological independence, cybersecurity, and resilient supply chains. Our 5G modules, which are developed and manufactured in Germany, provide a high-performance and reliable solution to these issues," said Hannes Niederhauser, CEO of Kontron AG.
The NADs serve as the communication interface for modern software-defined vehicles (SDVs), enabling over-the-air updates, vehicle connectivity, remote diagnostics, and future V2X applications. This contract represents a significant milestone in Kontron's strategy to establish a European alternative to non-European suppliers of mobile communications modules, as it marks the first time these modules will be used in a vehicle platform of a European car manufacturer.
Kontron is expanding its position as a European supplier of secure and high-performance 5G communication modules for automotive, industrial, and rail applications. For more information, visit Kontron's website or read the original announcement on NewMediaWire.
