Abstract
just-auto predicts that some 10.7m electric power steering (EPS) systems will
be fitted to vehicles built in Western Europe by 2013.
For many years, power steering technology was focused on hydraulic systems but
demand is now favouring EPS, mainly due to fuel consumption and logistical
benefits. Electric power steering systems effectively eliminate the
traditional hydraulic system' s power steering pump, hoses, hydraulic fluid,
and drive belt and pulley on the engine.
Given these benefits, the tide has turned in favour of EPS over the past
decade, although estimates of future penetration levels of EPS by region vary,
there is complete agreement that the trend is upwards.
The only disagreements concern the slope of the trend and at what level it
might plateau. In Western Europe, just-auto estimates that about 6.1m new
passenger cars and light trucks will be equipped with either rack drive,
pinion drive or column drive EPS in 2007. That is up from 3.3m vehicles in
2003.
In this fourth edition of the steering systems report, just-auto reviews the
key market drivers for automotive steering systems, and updates the market
analysis. A technical review looks at trends in electric power steering and
four-wheel steering, plus, we evaluate the emerging markets Russia, Poland,
India and China. Interviews with key executives are included throughout the
report, and we provide top level market fitment, volume and value forecasts
through to 2013.
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