Global Markets for Automotive Sensor Technologies -- Focus on North America

Report Highlights

• The global market for automobile sensors was $14.1 billion in 2011 and is expected to reach nearly $15.2 billion by 2012. BCC projects this market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% reaching $22.1 billion in 2017.
• Aautomobile production in the North American region totaled nearly 14.6 million vehicles in 2011, which is expected to reach 17.5 million by the end of year 2012. BCC expects that this market will grow to nearly 25 million vehicles produced in 2017, a CAGR of 7.3%.
• Automobile production in the US region was nearly 9.1 million in 2011 and is expected to reach 11 million by the end of 2012. BCC expects that this market will grow to nearly 15.4 million by 2017 at a CAGR of 7%.

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The automotive industry is being revolutionized by technological innovation. The performance of vehicles, safety and comfort are being improved by using automotive sensors in various systems including air bags, tire pressure monitoring and vehicle stabilization control. Most of these innovations have been through improved electronics and advanced sensors, using technologies like silicon micro-engineering, thick film, capacitive, variable reluctance, optical and radar.  New applications are emerging particularly in emission control and safety areas, apart from the sensors already being used for oil pressure, coolant temperature, vehicle speed and fuel level.  The sensors field has become more challenging regarding robustness, reliability, quality and finally cost.  This report will look at the various sensors used in an automobile, the global and regional market for these sensors, and their applications.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

Increased demand for convenience, comfort, safety, efficiency and environmental protection drives the automotive sensor market.  Sensors integrated with electronics, communications and computer intelligence are poised for a growth surge.  “Smart sensors” or “intelligent sensors” are integrated sensors with intelligence and will be used in conjunction with all types of devices.  The advent of the “smart car” has major implications for the automobile industry as well as the sensor industry, and this report will study the route that is being taken by various automobile and sensor manufacturers in achieving the ultimate goal of the “smart car.”

INTENDED AUDIENCE

The report should attract the attention of engineering technologists and make them more aware of how sensors can contribute to system control and monitoring in an automobile.  This report is intended to serve as a valuable resource for all personnel involved in the design and production of automobile sensors, associated systems and automobiles; for researchers working in the development of new sensor technologies for use in various automobiles; and for manufacturers of different types of automobile sensors.

SCOPE OF REPORT

In today’s automobile industry, systems controlled by sensors have become an integral part, and this has made most electro-mechanical devices more refined and more efficient with their application.  The development and deployment of a number of sensing technologies support and enable the introduction of advanced electronic systems, although there are challenges regarding robustness, reliability, quality and cost.  Although new sensors are emerging to improve system functionality and enable future advanced systems, existing sensors will also continue to find new applications, building upon their past record of performance.  This report will study the areas in the production of an automobile that have advanced with the use of sensors, and the markets for these sensors in various applications and regions.

For this report, automobiles are considered to include all passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) and buses.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Both primary and secondary research methods were used in preparing this report.  Primary information sources for this market research include individuals within companies, various research organizations, governmental agencies and trade associations. 

Secondary research includes extensive literature reviews, such as trade journals, seminar proceedings, patent literature, company literature, published reports and government publications.  Additional secondary research sources include databases, trade literature, specialized journals and government statistics

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Srinivasa Rajaram is a mechanical engineer with more than 40 years of experience in designing factory layouts and setting up factories.  He was senior vice president of M/S Schenck Avery Ltd., an Indo-German joint venture, and has authored several technology market research reports for BCC Research.

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DISCLAIMER

The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature.  This information does not constitute managerial, legal or accounting advice, nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is of a speculative in nature.  The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.