Study forecasts more cars will switch to air suspensions

London -- A report from Frost and Sullivan tracks the development of the automotive suspensions business, and forecasts increased volumes in the air suspension sector.

"Considering the increasing willingness of end users to pay for significant improvements of the vehicles comfort and ride handling features, the automotive industry is investing considerable resources into researching and developing advanced suspension systems," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Jatin Khanna. "Air suspension systems lead the advanced suspension systems market with about 3.0 per cent penetration in 2004 and opportunities in the air suspension systems market are expected to increase with the lower D segments moving towards adopting these systems as standard equipment in the medium to long term."

F&S continues, saying, "In the face of a growing trend towards the elimination of hydraulics in cars and for integrated chassis control, electronically controlled air suspension is likely to be the technology of the future. However, vehicle manufacturers are likely to sharpen their focus on the development of suspension-by-wire as well, but only after other vital systems such as brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire are launched in larger volumes. Hence, its introduction in select applications is expected only around 2012-2013."

"The suspension components market in Europe is fragmented with a number of suppliers possessing the expertise to meet the requirements of OEMs," says Khanna. "While the increased competition is pushing suppliers towards providing customised solutions, companies will have to be strategically disciplined in their efforts and avoid digressing towards opportunistic strategies for short-term gains."

The 11-chapter report was originally published in May 2005, and is available from Frost and Sullivan at price $9500

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Press release from Frost & Sullivan

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