Is Atoto a Chinese company?

Atoto is a Chinese company that develops and manufactures aftermarket car electronics and infotainment systems including car stereos, navigation systems, rear-seat entertainment systems, and other audio/video accessories [1].

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Dongguan, China, Atoto primarily designs Android-based touchscreen receivers and multimedia players that integrate AM/FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, backup cameras, steering wheel control, and smartphone integration features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto [1].

Some of Atoto’s popular product lines include the A6 series car stereos, S8 navigation systems, and F7 rear-seat entertainment systems. Their products are sold globally through various online retailers and e-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and their own official website [3].

Founding and History

Aotule Car Electronics, the precursor of ATOTO, was founded in 2008 in Shenzhen, China, according to their LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/myatoto). Aotule manufactured and distributed car entertainment and accessories for several years before rebranding as ATOTO in 2016.

ATOTO emerged in 2016 as a new brand focusing on car infotainment systems and electronics. The company was founded in Shenzhen, becoming one of the leading manufacturers of aftermarket car stereo and entertainment systems in China.

Headquarters and Operations

Atoto is a Chinese company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. According to their website, Atoto’s manufacturing base is located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province in China (https://myatoto.com/policy/contactUs). While founded and operated primarily in China, Atoto does have a US presence as well.

Public records show Atoto’s headquarters located at 1 N China South City Pingji Avenue Pinghu St, Longgang District, Shenzhen, China (https://www.zoominfo.com/c/atoto/443095849). This appears to be Atoto’s main global headquarters and center of operations.

Atoto also has an office located in Lake Forest, California which serves as their US headquarters (https://www.linkedin.com/company/myatoto). While founded and manufactured in China, Atoto sells and distributes products to the US market from this California office.

Ownership and Leadership

Atoto was founded in 2008 by Pace Yang and Kany C. Pace Yang serves as the CEO of Atoto and has over 20 years of experience working in the consumer electronics and automotive industries. Before founding Atoto, he served in various executive roles at companies like Alpine Electronics, directing product planning and business development. Kany C. serves as a marketing specialist at Atoto and helped launch the company’s first aftermarket car stereo. She utilizes her background in marketing, e-commerce, and online brand-building to promote Atoto’s products.

Atoto operates as an independent brand owned by parent company Intoto Inc., which maintains headquarters in Silicon Valley. Intoto was founded by Pace Yang as a consumer electronics business specializing in smart connected devices. Under his leadership and strategic vision, Intoto has expanded into developing artificial intelligence and software solutions beyond hardware. The Intoto team consists of experienced engineers and designers from America, Europe, and Asia. Backed by this talent and technical expertise, Atoto has been able to innovate and manufacture high-quality touchscreen receivers and infotainment systems for the global market.

Overall, Atoto’s founding team brings deep knowledge of electronics, automotive tech, and digital media which has enabled the company’s growth within the competitive car infotainment industry. Pace Yang’s experience and Intoto’s resources have been key to establishing Atoto as a manufacturer of smart, connected car stereo solutions.

Employees

Atoto is headquartered in Shenzhen, China and the majority of its employees are based there. According to Atoto’s LinkedIn page, some of the employees based in Shenzhen include Pace Yang, Rachel Yuan, and 杨振华. Atoto also has some employees based in the United States, including Kany C. who is based in City of Industry, California according to their LinkedIn page (source).

According to ZoomInfo, some other Atoto employees based in China include Selina Shu, Business Development Manager in Shenzhen and Jasmine Chen, Export Manager in Shenzhen (source). ContactOut also lists Shenzhen, China as the location for Atoto’s headquarters and operations (source).

Overall, it appears that while Atoto has some international employees, the majority are located at the company’s headquarters and main operations in Shenzhen, China.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

According to the company’s About Us page on the atoto.org website, Atoto’s manufacturing base is located in Shenzhen, China. The company states that its headquarters and factory are both located in Shenzhen.

Additional information on the company’s manufacturing operations comes from its eBay store page, where Atoto writes “Our manufacturing base is located in Shenzhen, China. All the products are manufactured strictly according to automotive electronics standards for product quality and reliability.”

This indicates that Atoto oversees its own manufacturing operations based out of Shenzhen, China. As a Shenzhen-based company, Atoto has close access to the supply chain and electronics manufacturing infrastructure in the technology hub of Shenzhen.

Investors and Funding

Atoto has received funding from several investors to support its operations and growth. According to Crunchbase, Atoto has raised a total of CZK6M in funding over an undisclosed number of rounds. The most recent investors in Atoto are KOOPEO Ventures and WASA Group.

Additional details on Atoto’s investors, funding rounds, and valuation are available on Pitchbook. The Pitchbook profile indicates that Atoto has received funding from investors including KOOPEO Ventures and WASA Group. However, the total funding amount and details on valuation are not publicly disclosed.

This external investment enables Atoto to develop and expand its automotive technology products and services. The company relies on investors who see promise in Atoto’s business model and growth potential. Backing from firms like KOOPEO Ventures and WASA Group provides necessary capital for Atoto to scale its operations.

Partnerships

Atoto partners with a variety of companies and organizations in the automotive and technology industries. Some of their key partnerships include:

Amazon – Atoto stereos integrate with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, allowing users to access Alexa skills and controls through their car stereo system.https://myatoto.com/affiliate

Apple – Atoto stereos support Apple CarPlay, allowing iPhone users to access apps, maps, music and other features directly through the car’s touchscreen.https://m.myatoto.com/Carstereo/index/productDetail?productId=1540598414167797762&country=

Google – Atoto stereos are integrated with Android Auto, giving Android users access to Google Maps, media, and voice controls on the car’s display.https://m.myatoto.com/ATOTO-S8G2B74PM-Stereo-Wireless-Apple-Carplay-and-Android-Auto-Mirrorlink-2-Bluetooth-with-aptx-and-aptxHD-AM-FM-Radio-Receiver-Aux-in-USB-Double-Din-7Inch-Touchscreen-use-Internet-with-WiFi-Bluetooth-and-USB-Tethering/index/productDetail?productId=1585249311752028162&country=

Marketing and Sales

ATOTO primarily markets its products through its website www.myatoto.com, which features product specifications, images, videos, and support information. The company also has a presence on Amazon, selling various models through the Amazon store.

In addition to its online presence, ATOTO relies on partnerships with retailers and auto manufacturers for distribution and visibility. ATOTO products are sold through big box stores like Best Buy as well as car audio specialty retailers. The company has formed partnerships with manufacturers like Subaru to integrate its stereos into new vehicles.

ATOTO also engages in affiliate marketing to promote its products, as evidenced by its affiliate program page at https://myatoto.com/affiliate. The company offers commissions for sales driven by affiliates who join the program and feature ATOTO products on their own sites. This expands the reach of ATOTO’s marketing and introduces the brand to new potential customers.

Conclusion

Based on the facts presented, it can be concluded that Atoto is a Chinese company. Atoto was founded in Shenzhen, China in 2000 and maintains its global headquarters there to this day. The company operates primarily in China with the majority of its employees, manufacturing facilities, suppliers, and sales based in the country. While Atoto sells its products worldwide and has expanded operations internationally, it remains a Chinese-owned and operated business at its core.

The key factors that establish Atoto as a Chinese company are its Chinese origins and founders, headquarters in China, primary operations within China, and majority Chinese ownership and leadership. While no company can be defined by a single nationality in today’s global business environment, the preponderance of evidence indicates Atoto is fundamentally a Chinese company in terms of where it was created and how it operates.