Research and Markets: The Growing Need For Safety, Comfort And Lower Emissions Has Made Automotive Electronics The Focal Point Of Innovation

Business Wire, April 22, 2008

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c89525) announces the addition of new Frost & Sullivan Report "Strategic Analysis of the European Automotive Advanced Electronic Controller Market" to their offering.

The growing need for safety, comfort and lower emissions has made automotive electronics the focal point of innovation. From less than 5 per cent of the vehicle cost in the late 1970s, the average cost of electronics in today's vehicle has risen to nearly 22 per cent. The European market for advanced electronic controllers for powertrain, comfort, driver assist and transmission systems is growing strongly, driven mainly by the increasing electronic applications within a vehicle and the need for comfort and convenience. To differentiate their vehicles in an ever-intensifying competitive automotive market, vehicle manufacturers have associated themselves with newer and more advanced applications. There is an enhanced need for comfort and convenience among today's European consumers, paralleled by an increased penetration of alternative powertrains from traditional diesel engines in Europe.

"The escalating number of tasks performed by the vehicle has increased the demand for more advanced electronic control units (ECUs) that are able to intelligently process information," notes the analyst of this research. "The automotive market has grown dependent on ECUs to assist them in a wide range of applications, from reducing emissions through advanced alternative powertrains such as hybrids, to convenience features such as adaptive cruise control." The need for intelligent ECUs has grown in response to the need to manage these ever-evolving applications.

Legislation to Define Market Development

The automotive industry is highly influenced by external challenges, particularly legislation. "The ACEA agreement to reduce the fleet average of CO2 emissions to 130 g/km by 2012 and the EU's proposal to reduce the number of road fatalities by half by the year 2010 will drive the need for advanced electronic controllers that are capable of advanced engine management and safety-related systems," remarks the analyst. "While the ACEA's CO2 reduction initiative will have a considerable impact on the penetration of hybrids and transmission technologies such as dual clutch and automated manual transmission, the EU commission's proposal will augment uptake rates of accident prevention and other safety systems."

The advent of technologies such as hybrids is adding to the brand value and green credentials of vehicle manufacturers, even as alternative transmission technologies such as dual clutch transmission are further reducing fuel consumption by 8-10 per cent. Such applications will facilitate the higher penetration of greater volumes in the wake of stringent emission norms. Furthermore, applications such as blind spot detection and lane departure warnings are being gradually accepted by consumers who were naive about their inherent safety offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Strategic Analysis of the European Automotive Advanced Electronic Controller Market provides a detailed analysis of advanced electronic controllers used across today's modern vehicles. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine applications using these advanced controller units and the market for automotive microcontrollers. Application areas include powertrain, chassis, comfort, driver assist and transmission. The research also includes a comprehensive impact analysis and strategic recommendations for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.

Contents:

1. Executive Summary

- Introduction

-- Definitions

-- Market Overview

-- Factors driving the use of Advanced ECU

-- Major Industry Challenges

- Key Research Findings

-- Total Market

-- Market Legislative and Technology trends

-- Market Attractiveness of Advanced ECU

-- Strategic Recommendations and Conclusions

-- Highlights of the Research Service

2. Total European Market for Advanced Electronic Controllers

3. Advanced Electronic Controller Specification Analysis

4. Key Application Areas for Advanced Electronic Controllers

5. Competitor Analysis

6. Strategic Conclusions and Recommendations

7. Appendix

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c89525