GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET
INTRODUCTION
Automotive sensors are integral part of the vehicle. They are designed to detect, transmit, record and display the vehicle performance information directly or indirectly to the driver.
Sensors monitor vehicle engines, fuel consumption and emissions, along with aiding and protecting drivers and passengers. The major factors driving the sensors market are the increased safety standards with regard to passengers and technological advancement in the segment. The development of connected car technology is seen as the important driving factor in the sensors market.
AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET SEGMENTATION
By Type
- Temperature Sensors
- Position Sensors
- Speed Sensors
- Pressure Sensors
- Gas Sensors
- Safety Sensors
- Magnetic Sensors
- Image Sensors
By Application
- Powertrain
- Safety & Control
- Telematics
- Exhaust
- Chassis
By Technology
- Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)
- Non-MEMS
By Vehicle Type
- Passenger Cars
- Commercial Vehicles
- 2-Wheeled Vehicles
By Distributor Channel
- Aftermarket
- OEM
By Geography
- US
- Europe
- China
- India
- ROW
AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET DYNAMICS
Stringent regulations from the government across the world to implement laws regarding emission standards and mandatory safety of passengers are expected to drive the market. The introduction of different Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors such as LiDAR and Ultrasonic sensor has been massive technological advancements propelling the sensors market.
BY TYPE
Among the type of the sensors used the position or the level sensors have been the leader in the market. Since these are found in most of the components such as engine, chassis transmission, brakes to determine gear, throttle, pedal and steering wheel positions. Also position sensors holds the largest share because they are find in larger numbers in passenger cars, such as seat position, wiper position and sunroof position. In the future the image sensors are expected to see considerable growth as the image sensors find application in ADAS. The rise in autonomous cars will boost the image sensors as they play a crucial role for this segment of cars.
The below graph shows the market share of different sensors:
BY APPLICATION
Powertrain sensor holds the largest size in sensors market since they comprise of almost every type of sensor. They use position, speed, pressure, temperature and knock sensors at various parts of Powertrain.
| Type of Sensor | Application |
| Temperature Sensors | Manifolds, Engine oil and Transmission oil |
| Speed Sensors | Transmission input and output, Turbocharger |
| Position Sensors | Camshaft, Crankshaft, Throttle and Pedal |
| Pressure Sensors | Manifold, Engine Oil |
| Knock Sensors | Engine Vibration |
The sensors application in safety segment is expected to increases substantially as ADAS is getting common in most cars. Some other sensors used in airbag system and seating systems will help boost the safety and control segment. The sensors involving telematics might well be biggest rise as the connected car and autonomous car market will surge in the future.
BY VEHICLE TYPE
Passenger cars dominate the market based on the vehicle type as the sensors in these cars help enhance the safety and comfort of the passengers than any other vehicle. With the increasing popularity of automated driving/autonomous and connected cars, the sensors market will eventually see expansion in passenger car market.
The commercial vehicles especially HCV such as the trucks used in situations will draw the sensors market as the safety at the highest order is essential in and around the trucks. Features such as Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) will increase the penetration of sensors in commercial vehicle sector.
US AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET
US market holds the major chunk of share in the global market. The stringent regulations regarding driver’s safety and the constant R&D investment on automation in driving are driving the US market.
EUROPE AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET
Europe’s move to make 9 driver safety requirements to be mandatory by 2022 will potentially boost the sensors supporting ADAS application in passenger cars. In the presence of major automotive sensors manufacturers, Europe holds considerable share in the market.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET
China with highest population of electric passenger vehicles will drive the sensors market as they need more sensors than traditional vehicle as the telematics in EV demand more sensors.
INDIA AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET
Indian government has mandated the implementation of features of ADAS in passenger vehicles in July 2019, also for the commercial vehicles by end of April 2020. This will drive the automotive sensors market penetration in commercial vehicles segment too.
AUTOMOTIVE SENSORS MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST
Since the sensors are subjected to constant updates and the need to bring these changes to the sensors to enhance the safety and comfort of the driver and passengers the technology has been dynamically changing and this will lead to new products boosting the market.
Various sensors are being developed to eliminate the distraction and intoxication of drivers, thus increasing the safety of the passengers. Volvo has been deploying these sensors from the model year 2021.
RECENT PARTNERSHIPS
- Infineon Technologies has completed acquisition of California based Cypress Semiconductor helping Infineon to expand its reach to ADAS components.
- Minda Industries from India is to partner with US based Sensata Technology to develop wheel speed sensors in India and South Korea.
NEW LAUNCHES
- Veoneer Swedish auto-tech provider with the help of FLIR systems is incorporating the thermal sensing cameras in level 4 autonomous vehicle.
- JK Tyre has launched Treel Sensors, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TMPS) one of the first high-tech moves towards ‘smart tyre’ in Indian market.
- Nikon in a partnership with US based Velodyne Lidar, has started mass production of Lidar sensors for the latter.
- Chinese electric car maker from China has incorporated 3D Time of Flight (TOF) sensors inside the cockpit made by P MD Technologies from Germany. It is used to measure the time required for the camera light to bounce back of an object.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Some of the major players in the automotive sensors sector are Bosch GmBH (Germany), Continental AG (Germany), Delphi Automotive (UK), Infineon Technologies (Germany), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland) and Denso Corporation (Japan).
