Automotive Sensor Market

Abstract

Since the late 1970s electronic systems have found increasing use in the automobile. The value of electronics in cars has increased from near zero in the 1970s to almost 20% in a 2000 model mid-class car. In luxury cars this content is even higher. At the same time, electronics are responsible for the majority of innovations and thus contribute strongly to differentiate the car from competitor products. Essentially all of the electronics systems — be it engine management, safety systems or convenience features — need one or multiple sensor signals as input to their signal processing. Over 100 different sensor applications in the car are known; a full-featured luxury car typically contains 100 sensors or more. Therefore, the sensor market has seen at least as strong growth rates as the electronics market over the last two decades and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This chapter gives an overview of the automotive sensor market. It starts with a general overview of market size and growth and puts it into perspective with other relevant markets such as the general sensor market and the electronics market. The major distinctive features of the automotive market are explained. Another section details some of the major trends in technologies, products and certain regions. Finally, various market segments are highlighted in more detail. In conclusion, an outlook on possible future developments is given.