Automotive Air and Fuel Market Moving to Electronics, Still Fighting for Modularity

DETROIT, Dec. 16, 2002; Due to significant cost improvements, the growth of electronic throttle control (ETC) technology in the automotive air and fuel market is expected to top 30 percent in North America by 2007, according to research recently completed by CSM Worldwide. Current North American ETC market usage stands at about 10 percent.

ETC better modulates the amount of air entering the engine as compared to a traditional mechanical throttle control, thereby providing additional fuel economy and emission benefits. However, while modularity opportunities exist, most suppliers are not positioned to manufacture all the discrete parts.

"Installation of electronic throttle control will nearly triple over the next five years in North America," says Kevin Giannini, market analyst with CSM Worldwide. "The advantages will quickly outweigh alternative options, especially as cost drops. However, the mass modularization of air and fuel componentry touted years ago as a trend for the future is still a target for suppliers and OEMs."

The air and fuel market, estimated at $2.5 billion per year, will continue to feature a wide array of suppliers. CSM estimates approximately 40 suppliers currently provide components to the air and fuel market, defined as fuel injectors, fuel rails, throttle bodies and intake manifolds. The rank order in estimated dollar market share for suppliers to the current North American market is:

1. Delphi 2. Bosch 3. Siemens 4. Visteon 5. Indiana Precision 6. Hayes Lemmerz 7. Dana 8. Denso 9. Montaplast 10. BorgWarner CSM Worldwide supports more than 250 automotive suppliers with global market intelligence and forecasting services. With corporate offices in Detroit, CSM Worldwide covers the global automotive environment from London, Brussels, Prague, Sao Paulo, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and New Delhi.