Automotive MEMS Sensor Market to reach Record High in 2010

Driven via the rapid recovery in automotive production and inventory rebuilding among sensor component suppliers, the sell for automotive microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors will expand to record size in 2010, according to be able to research firm iSuppli, now an a part of IHS Corporation.

Marking an unique high point for the industry, shipments of automotive MEMS sensors will reach 662.3 million units in 2010, up a robust 32.1% from 501.2 million units in '09. The projected year-end levels - just like the replenishment of inventory pipelines that were depleted during the recession of 2009 - will exceed even the pre-crisis high point in 2007 of 640 million sensors, iSuppli data research indicates.

'The recovery in automotive MEMS shipments represents a pleasant turnaround from the depressed amounts of 2009 when shipments cratered and reached a nadir, and the years and months ahead will provide additional room for expansion,' noted by Richard Dixon, Senior Analyst, MEMS and sensors at iSuppli.

Nonetheless, growth will slow in 2011, with shipments anticipated to climb just 7.3% as the market normalizes following the exuberance in 2010. Production then will locate again in 2012, and growth rates end up north of 13% by 2014.

One significant engine of automotive MEMS growth is the use of sensors in passenger cars supporting mandated safety technologies such as electronic stability control (ESC) and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).

The Our nation and Europe have led the adoption of legislation on such safety systems and other countries like Australia and Canada have quickly followed suit. However, similar mandates are now being adopted in South korea and need in Japan, accelerating overall adoption rates worldwide. After which opportunity from both ESC and TPMS for automotive MEMS suppliers to Korea and japan will correspond to additional revenue of $120 million in those regions alone for that next graduate students.

China furthermore account to buy a large involving the automotive MEMS steps. Compared to U.S. or European vehicles, the electronics content of low- and mid-range vehicles in China is about 50% or less, but sensor penetration will steadily increase - first in power train application buy to to reduce carbon emissions that choke Chinese cities and as safety sensors for additional airbags & ESC systems.

Among the new applications providing suppliers greater production opportunities for automotive MEMS sensors, the most prominent include usage of gas sensors to control air quality in the cabin; infrared thermopiles to be able to temperature; microbolometers to aid night-vision systems and MEMS oscillators enhance rear-view camera.

iSuppli notes that some consumer-oriented MEMS sensor suppliers are making inroads in the automotive market, widening the pool of players participating in the position.

In particular STMicroelectronics - the leading MEMS supplier for consumer and mobile application and which much has targeted non-safety critical applications in automotive such as car alarms and navigation - has recently entered the airbag market with a better g accelerometer.