The traditional car key is on its way to becoming a thing of the past, likely confined to the glove compartment. In Europe and North America, the automotive digital key market is rapidly expanding, driven by consumer demand for seamless, secure, digitally integrated interfaces and technologically advanced car access experiences. Additionally, digital keys can provide personalized user settings and real-time access management and monitoring, which enhances the overall driving experience.
This transition from physical keys to digital solutions marks a significant evolution in the automotive industry, and this report serves as a guide to navigating this dynamic market.
Drawing insights from interviews with industry leaders from technology providers, OEMs, technology enablers, software providers, cloud service platforms, and other stakeholders, this analysis offers a comprehensive perspective on the industry and its growth potential. Forecasts for Europe and North America include the expected yearly revenue, sales volume, and penetration of digital keys from 2024 to 2030.
Finally, Frost & Sullivan provides valuable insights into upcoming growth opportunities for diverse industry stakeholders.
Revenue Forecast by Region
The revenue estimate for the base year is $33.1 million for Europe and $64.5 million for North America. The CAGR for the study period is 28.2% for North America and 35.6% for Europe.
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Automotive Digital Key Industry
Disruptive Technologies
Why:
- UWB offers centimeter-level accuracy for precise localization to enhance security against unauthorized access.
- Compatible with existing technologies such as BLE and NFC, UWB integrates smoothly into digital key ecosystems across different vehicles.
- UWB enables hands-free vehicle access when users approach with their digital key-enabled device, improving user experience.
Frost Perspective:
- UWB digital keys will gain traction for their enhanced security and convenience, combined with BLE and NFC as backup, surpassing reliance solely on BLE or NFC.
- The potential of UWB technology will extend beyond digital car keys into applications such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, smart home integration, and indoor navigation.
- Technology suppliers will explore use cases such as detection of a child in vehicles, as well as automated car opening and remote parking facilitation.
Transformative Megatrends
Why:
- Connected vehicles have driven up demand for seamless integration between smart devices and vehicle systems.
- Autonomous vehicles require robust security measures, making digital keys essential for secure vehicle access while enhancing user convenience with hands-free entry and start.
- Shared mobility requires simplified access management for multiple users, enabling the tracking and management of vehicles.
Frost Perspective:
- OEMs will integrate digital keys with connected vehicle systems for remote access, monitoring, control via smartphones, personalized settings, automatic updates, and IoT device integration.
- Digital keys will allow easy granting and revoking of access for shared mobility services while facilitating tracking and monitoring of vehicle use.
- Digital keys will offer encrypted, secure access to autonomous vehicles, allowing users to unlock and start vehicles without physical keys.
Innovative Business Models
Why:
- The rise of features on demand and enhanced connectivity has spurred the emergence of new subscription-based business models. These services enable users to select and pay for specific features as needed, either on-demand or through annual subscriptions.
- OEMs are now introducing digital key services in subscription models, either independently or bundled with other connected car features.
Frost Perspective:
- Companies offering subscription-based services may attract a different segment of customers than those offering one-time purchase options.
- Integrating connected car features into bundled subscriptions will generate additional revenue for OEMs.
- Digital keys will provide a secure and convenient access solution for a diverse range of vehicles in car-sharing and rental services, which will expand the digital key market significantly.
Scope of Analysis
- Automotive digital key refers to advanced electronic alternatives to traditional mechanical keys used to access vehicles via smart devices such as smartphones and smart watches.
- This analysis provides an overview of the automotive digital key space in the European and North American digital car key markets and their related technological advancements.
- Frost & Sullivan presents digital key market penetration and evaluation in these regions.
- This study emphasizes the main market players and factors such as their product offerings and technological standpoints.
Questions This Study Will Answer
- What is automotive digital key? What is the supply chain structure for automotive digital key technology?
- What are the primary drivers and restraints for this market?
- How will this market grow? What is the adoption trend among OEMs? Who are the technology players?
- How do Europe and North America’s automotive digital key market sizes differ? Which region will see the highest growth?
- What are the growth avenues for the automotive digital key market in Europe and North America until 2030? How will they help important stakeholders in the automotive digital key industry?
Segmentation
Automotive Car Key
- Basic Key
- Classic Key
- Digital Key
- BLE
- Bluetooth Low-energy
- NFC
- Near Field Communication
- UWB
- Ultra-Wideband
- BLE
Competitive Environment
| Number of Competitors | More than 8 with revenue exceeding $10 million |
| Competitive Factors | Cost, performance, support, technology, reliability, consumer relationship |
| Main End-user Industry Verticals | Automotive |
| Leading Competitors | Continental, Valeo, Bosch, HUF, Forvia Hella |
| Revenue Share of Top 5 Competitors (Adding Base Year) | Not available |
| Other Notable Competitors | Tokai Rika and Denso |
| Distribution Structure | OEMs |
Key Competitors
OEMs
- Hyundai
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Toyota
- Tesla
- Tata Motors
- General Motors
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
- Audi
- Renault
- Nissan
- Mitsubishi
Technology Providers
- Continental AG
- Forvia Hella
- Valeo
- HUF
- Denso
- Bosch
Enablers
- NXP Semiconductors
- Infineon Technologies
- Thales
- Giesecke+Devrient
- Gemalto
- STMicroelectronics
- Qualcomm
- Ericsson
- Harman International
Digital Wallet Providers
- Apple
- Samsung
- Huawei
Revenue Forecast

Key Findings
Digital Key Penetration and Forecast Snapshot
Regional Market Snapshot
Digital Key Technology and Adoption Trends among OEM Groups
Portfolio and Snapshot by Technology Provider
Standards and Regulations
Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?
The Strategic Imperative 8™
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Automotive Digital Key Industry
Scope of Analysis
Segmentation
Market Definition
Distribution Channels
Competitive Environment
Key Competitors
Growth Metrics
Growth Drivers
Growth Restraints
Forecast Considerations
Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast
Revenue Forecast by Region
Revenue Forecast Analysis
Digital Key Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast by Region
Pricing Trends and Forecast Analysis
Major Trends Impacting Automotive Digital Keys
Impact of Digital Keys on Connected Car Platforms
Competing Standards by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC)
Competing Standards by the CCC (continued)
Introduction
Evolution of Car Access Keys
Block Diagram
Product Roadmap and Technological Advancement
Comparison of BLE, NFC, and UWB
Impact of UWB on Security and Convenience after Integration with BLE and NFC
Future Developments in Digital Keys—Biometrics
Growth Metrics
Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast
Digital Key Penetration Forecast
Forecast Analysis
Growth Metrics
Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast
Digital Key Penetration Forecast
Forecast Analysis
BMW Group
Mercedes-Benz Group
Geely Group
Toyota Group
Hyundai Group
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi (RNM)
Tata Motors Group
Volkswagen Group
Continental Automotive Systems
Valeo
Huf
Forvia Hella
Denso (Infinite Key®)
Bosch
Growth Opportunity 1—Innovative Business Models
Growth Opportunity 1—Innovative Business Models (continued)
Growth Opportunity 2—Integration with Connected Car Services
Growth Opportunity 2—Integration with Connected Car Services (continued)
Growth Opportunity 3—Biometrics Integration
Growth Opportunity 3—Biometrics Integration (continued)
Best Practices Recognition
Frost Radar
Benefits and Impacts of Growth Opportunities
Next Steps
Take the Next Step
List of Exhibits
List of Exhibits (continued)
Legal Disclaimer
- Automotive Digital Key: Penetration Forecast, Europe and North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Revenue Forecast, Europe, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Revenue Forecast, North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Penetration and Adoption Trends among OEM Groups, Europe and North America, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Distribution Channel Analysis, Europe and North America, 2023
- Automotive Digital Key: Growth Metrics, Europe and North America, 2023
- Automotive Digital Key: Growth Drivers, Europe & North America, 2024–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Growth Restraints, Europe & North America, 2024–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast, Europe and North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Revenue Forecast by Region, Europe and North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast by Region, Europe and North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Average Price Forecast, Europe and North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Growth Metrics, Europe, 2023
- Automotive Digital Key: Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast, Europe, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Penetration Forecast, Europe, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Growth Metrics, North America, 2023
- Automotive Digital Key: Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast, North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Penetration Forecast, North America, 2023–2030
- Automotive Digital Key: BMW Group, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of BMW Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Mercedes-Benz Group, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of Mercedes-Benz Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Geely Group, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of Geely Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Toyota Motors, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of Toyota Motors, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Hyundai Group, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of Hyundai Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: RNM, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of RNM, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Tata Motors Group, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of Tata Motors Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
- Automotive Digital Key: Volkswagen Group, North America & Europe, 2023
- Digital Key Penetration of Volkswagen Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030
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Research Scope
Frost & Sullivan’s analysis aims to provide insights into several areas:
- Current technological trends, features, and services influencing the landscape of automotive digital keys
- Market projections specific to Europe and North America
- Involvement of diverse ecosystem participants, particularly OEMs and technology providers
- Opportunities and challenges industry stakeholders face
- Business prospects for stakeholders spanning the entire market spectrum
Key Issues Addressed
- What is Automotive Digital Key? What is the supply chain structure for Automotive Digital key technology?
- What are the primary drivers and restraints of Automotive Digital key Market?
- How will the Automotive Digital Key Market grow? What is the adoption trend among OEMs? Who are the technology players?
- How do Europe and North America’s Automotive Digital key market sizes differ? Which region will see maximum growth?
- What are the growth avenues for the Automotive Digital key Market in Europe and North America until 2030? How will they help important stakeholders in the Automotive Digital key industry?
| Deliverable Type | Market Research |
|---|---|
| Author | parduman satpal |
| Industries | Automotive |
| No Index | No |
| Is Prebook | No |
| Keyword 1 | Automotive Digital Key |
| Keyword 2 | Digital Key Market Europe |
| Keyword 3 | Digital Key Technologies |
| List of Charts and Figures | Automotive Digital Key: Penetration Forecast, Europe and North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Revenue Forecast, Europe, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Revenue Forecast, North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Penetration and Adoption Trends among OEM Groups, Europe and North America, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Distribution Channel Analysis, Europe and North America, 2023~ Automotive Digital Key: Growth Metrics, Europe and North America, 2023~ Automotive Digital Key: Growth Drivers, Europe & North America, 2024–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Growth Restraints, Europe & North America, 2024–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast, Europe and North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Revenue Forecast by Region, Europe and North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast by Region, Europe and North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Average Price Forecast, Europe and North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Growth Metrics, Europe, 2023~ Automotive Digital Key: Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast, Europe, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Penetration Forecast, Europe, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Growth Metrics, North America, 2023~ Automotive Digital Key: Revenue and Vehicle Sales with Digital Key Forecast, North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Penetration Forecast, North America, 2023–2030~ Automotive Digital Key: BMW Group, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of BMW Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Mercedes-Benz Group, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of Mercedes-Benz Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Geely Group, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of Geely Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Toyota Motors, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of Toyota Motors, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Hyundai Group, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of Hyundai Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: RNM, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of RNM, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Tata Motors Group, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of Tata Motors Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ Automotive Digital Key: Volkswagen Group, North America & Europe, 2023~ Digital Key Penetration of Volkswagen Group, North America & Europe, 2023 & 2030~ |
| Podcast | No |
| WIP Number | PFM3-01-00-00-00 |
Automotive Digital Key Sector, Europe and North America, 2024 2030
Disruptive UWB Technology, Rising Consumer Demand for Smartphone Integration, and Innovative Sharing Models are Driving Transformational Growth by Addressing Customer Needs in the Connected Vehicle Era
21-Aug-2024
Global
Market Research
