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Global technology company Laird has completed its acquisition of German connected car solutions developer Novero.

The acquisition was first announced on 18 December 2015 and recently achieved regulatory approval. Now complete, this acquisition makes Laird a leading end-to-end car connectivity solutions provider. It also fuels Laird's growth in the enterprise IoT market.

Automakers are increasingly viewing connected cars as a necessity with the number of connected cars on the road to rise to 250 million in the next five years. As a result, drivers, fleet managers, passengers and regulatory agencies are demanding more automotive connectivity.

Connected cars require various connectivity solutions, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity for high-definition maps, vehicle app updates and Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) for high data transmission for safety features such as traffic alerts and collision avoidance.

Laird, with Novero, will be able to provide these connectivity solutions. Its vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure solutions connect automobiles and enable them to receive safety and traffic alerts with 4G LTE signal. It will use Novero's near-field, antenna coupling, and in-care hotspot technologies for processing alerts and using connected devices.

The company can deliver this technology for automotive makers with greater speed to market, and it can ensure seamless service integration, including driver behaviour monitoring, fleet vehicle tracking, insurance tracking, e-call emergency services, vehicle remote controls and vehicle diagnostics.

David Lockwood, CEO of Laird, said: "The connected car is not simply about being able to stream music or entertainment in a vehicle. It’s about improving driver safety, increasing vehicle efficiency, and enhancing the driving experience."

"Laird plays an integral role in helping shape the enterprise Internet of Things,” he added. “This acquisition brings together complementary skills and outstanding technologies which increases our global market share in the automotive, transportation, and heavy equipment market while strengthening our relationships with all major automotive and heavy truck manufacturers."