New markets, technologies energize car electronics

http://www.eetasia.com/MAGAZINE/EDNOTE0809B.HTM
Earlier this year, iSuppli announced that carmakers and their suppliers will focus on more advanced electronics to lure customers during 2008. They predicted the combined global OEM and aftermarket revenue for car infotainment systems will reach $39.8 billion this year, up 7.9 percent from 2007. They estimated 18 percent growth in 2007 for car infotainment-oriented, applicationspecific semiconductors, such as ASSPs and PLDs, and predicted revenue will rise by 8.5 percent this year.

Growing markets
China's 1H car sales increased by over 18 percent year-on-year. Last year's sales were at 8.8 million units. China is expected to add 33 million automobiles during 2008-2010, which will see car sales hit 11 million units in 2010.

In India, Ford, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Daimler- Chrysler boosted their investments. The government announced that the country's auto industry will attract multibillion- dollar investment this year, and India will have about 20 manufacturers of passenger vehicles by 2010.

New technologies
While the overall growth in infotainment revenue is predicted lower than the 13.5 percent iSuppli estimated for 2007, it is not all about infotainment.

Strategy Analysis International predicted that the global car electronics market will grow at a CAGR of 7.3 percent to reach $60.8 billion in 2013, which would be higher than automotive engines' 3.8 percent. The firm also said electronics' share in the automotive market will grow from 25 percent to 40 percent.

Promising areas beyond infotainment include electronic stability control (ESC) and hybrid/electric vehicles. iSuppli forecast $715 million in 2012 global market revenue for MEMS sensors used in ESC, up from $378 million in 2006. Shipments of complete ESC systems are expected to reach 47.7 million units in 2012, up from 23.1 million in 2007.

Innovative Research and Products said the ultracapacitor market will grow from $272 million in 2006 to $560 million by 2011, growing at an AAGR of 15.3 percent. The firm sees the automotive sector as one of the major users. Earlier this year, Maxwell Technologies announced that they will supply their Boostcap ultracapacitors to China's Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus. Golden Dragon is manufacturing diesel-electric hybrid buses for the Hangzhou Public Transport Group.

Car electronics has presented the industry with a set of opportunities and challenges typical of upcoming growth. And we will be keeping an eye on the sector.

EE Times-Asia looks forward to bringing you information on new technologies and market opportunities to help achieve the optimum balance between features and power consumption.

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