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Innovation inflating international airbag markets
Date: 26 January 2012

After seatbelts, airbags are recognised by automotive OEMs to be an essential safety feature within a car. IMS Research has concluded that the global fitment rate is only set to increase, with almost 90% of new production cars having at least one airbag fitted as standard by 2018. Market revenues from the sale of airbag systems are forecast to reach $20 billion in 2018, with semiconductor companies, Tier 1s and OEMs alike are targeting the developing regions in particular.

The market for airbag systems within the developed regions is becoming saturated as OEMs comply with regional legislation and aim to score highly on car safety tests, like the Euro NCAP. Ben Scott, Automotive Market Analyst with IMS Research says ‘There is a trend towards putting more airbags within a car, but the number of bags will plateau for two reasons. First, there is limited space in a car’s cabin to fit airbags. Second, there comes a point when too many airbags in a car is actually a safety concern, rather than a safety feature’.  Because the market for airbag systems in established regions is maturing and becoming saturated OEMs and Tier 1s are focusing on developing regions as potentially lucrative markets.

Developing regions currently require a different, more basic airbag system than developed regions. Catering to both markets requires flexibility; for example, TRW has handled this situation with a two tiered approach. It offers a complex, occupant dynamic based airbag control unit which is aimed at developed regions. However, TRW also offers a scalable airbag control unit for emerging markets. This simpler control unit is designed for low-end applications, but can be scaled upwards so it is comparable to that of the ‘developed region’ control unit. This approach is being supported by the semiconductor companies; for example, Texas Instruments is offering a range of squib driver chips including the TPIC71004-Q1 four-channel squib driver. This driver enables scaling of airbag control unit designs.

With the number of airbags per car reaching saturation point for cars in the developed region, airbag system design will change. ‘OEM and Tier 1 strategy for airbag systems will have to change. IMS Research is observing it currently, but there will be more emphasis on intelligent and effective airbag deployment in the future’ explains Scott. ‘A sophisticated sensor network will be imperative for intelligent airbag deployment.’ Freescale’s new Xtrinsic MMA65xxKW family of accelerometers employ ‘intelligent sensing technologies’ which suits front and side crash detection.

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Editors Note :

IMS Research has recently published a report on Automotive OEM Electronics, “The World Market for Automotive OEM Electronic Systems – 2011 Edition”. 35 different Automotive OEM Electronic Systems are analysed and forecast from 2008 to 2018, looking at fitment rate, system average selling price, units and revenues. There is global coverage within this report with a dedicated breakout for Brazil, Russia, India and China. Production locations as well as production and sales figures are shown.

About IHS Inc. (www.ihs.com)

IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS employs more than 5,600 people in more than 30 countries around the world.

About IMS Research:

IMS Research is a leading independent supplier of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry, offering syndicated market studies, custom research and consultancy services. Clients include most of the household names in the industry. IMS Research has offices in Europe, the US, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. To find out more, contact IMS Research.