Abstract
World Automotive Sensors
Global demand to advance 7.4% annually through 2010
Worldwide demand for light vehicle automotive sensors for original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) use is forecast to advance 7.4 percent annually to $14.0
billion in 2010, more rapidly than vehicle production itself and in line with
electronics demand. The automotive OEM sensor industry in developed markets
such as North America, Europe and Japan is a study in contrasts, with new
sensing technologies exhibiting strong growth prospects being introduced
alongside well-established products that face flat or declining prospects.
Emerging markets typically have more basic sensor needs, as markets embrace
technologies focused on safety (e.g., standard airbags and antilock brake
systems), drivetrain (e.g., port fuel injection) and emissions (e.g., closed
loop catalyst systems). Many of these applications require sensor technologies
that have already been perfected in developed markets, and OEMs often select
commoditized sensor technologies for use in emerging markets to better control
costs.
In either case, sensor suppliers face a continuing mandate to deliver more
capability at less cost. Given the current state of the OEM auto industry,
this dictate is unlikely to change anytime soon.