Research and Markets: Leather in the European Automotive Seating Market

DUBLIN, Ireland--July 30, 2004--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com) has announced the addition of Leather in the European Automotive Seating Market to their offering.

The study provides the following:

- Assessment of the volume of leather used for seating

- Leather penetration by vehicle segment

- European fitment rates by supplier and model with production volumes

- Key Growth Opportunities particularly for:

- Imitation leather

- Partial leather

- Forecast to 2007 - based on vehicle production forecasts by JD Power-LMC Automotive Forecasting Services

- Supplier Profiles

The main findings of the study include:

- Leather seats are fitted to 1.84m vehicles a year representing 11.3% of the region's total output

- This is forecast to rise to 3.1m vehicles in 2007 for a penetration level of 16.5%

- Leather enjoys a good image among consumers and is regarded as a luxury item

- Leather is popular with vehicle manufacturers too because it allows differentiation and is a profitable option

- The raw hide is the biggest cost element of finished leather, but in mid-2003 hide prices appear to have stabilised at quite a low level

- The type of leather used has been full grain typically but lower grades will become increasingly specified.

The European Market for Automotive Leather 5

SWOT Analysis & main Findings

Executive Summary 6

METHODOLOGY 9

Chapter 1

Leather in Seating 11

Current Position 11

Future Demand to 2007 11

Drivers OF Demand 16

Replacement Fitment 16

Quality Concerns 17

Europe in The International Context 18

The Importance of the American Market 19

Leather Market share in US of Selected European Imports 19

Chapter 2

Availability of Leather seats in European Models 20

A Listing by Manufacturer 23

Chapter 3

Pricing 29

Chapter 4

Leather Qualities 31

Types of Leather 32

Chapter 5

Automotive Leather Requirements 34

Trends in Automotive Leather Requirements 35

Chapter 6

Sources of Leather 37

Chapter 7

Leather Supply/Demand and Future sourcing 41

Current European Tanners 45

Chapter 8

Mixed Leather 46

Chapter 9

Forecast to 2007 50

Appendix I

Company Profiles of Leather Suppliers 54

Appendix II

Listing of Leather Suppliers in The Automotive Industry 69

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c3377