Market Growth to Hinge on Increased Modularisation of Powertrain Systems.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46388) has announced the addition of "Strategic Analysis of the European Market for Powertrain Modules and Systems" to their offering.

Market Growth to Hinge on Increased Modularisation of Powertrain Systems

Powertrain modules and systems such as intake, exhaust and valvetrain systems were developed in-house by vehicle manufacturers (VMs) in the past. However, there has been a recent change in the strategy of vehicle manufacturers (VMs) in terms of modularisation and sourcing. The primary reasons for this shift are the reduction in costs of labour, assembly, inventory and the common development of new technologies with suppliers.

"VMs are shifting their sourcing strategy from the component-level to sub systems and complete systems and the European market for powertrain modules and systems is expected to demonstrate significant growth by 2012," explains the analyst of this research service. "Intake and exhaust systems are likely to witness huge growth in outsourcing, as VMs such as Renault and Volkswagen are expected to begin outsourcing complete systems." In the context of exhaust systems, almost 65 per cent of vehicles in Europe have these systems being outsourced as sub systems or complete systems to suppliers. In the future, a shift in preference from exhaust sub systems to complete systems is expected. This is primarily because of benefits such as cost reduction, as well as innovation in the components that support the latest technology in fuel injection and emission offered by complete line exhaust systems.

Vehicle Manufacturers and Suppliers to Work Together to Increase Modularisation and Common Development of Powertrain Systems

About 77 per cent of diesel vehicles in Europe are equipped with outsourced complete injection systems and this percentage is likely to surge to about 98 per cent by 2012, with a market size of approximately 10.6 million units. Meanwhile, complete injection systems outsourcing for gasoline engines is likely to rise by 2009/2010 with the increased penetration of gasoline direct injection systems. At present, opportunities to supply complete valvetrain systems are limited, as most VMs retain their core competency for valvetrain systems and source only components. However, with the increased penetration of variable valvetrain systems for gasoline vehicles and VMs unlikely to be able to cater to the growing demand, outsourcing complete systems to suppliers will gain importance by the end of the decade.

Currently, suppliers are facing problems in developing an optimal solution (engine characteristics) of powertrain systems depending on the engine capacity since engine development is done in-house by VMs. Hence, powertrain systems development should be in tandem with engine development for optimal engine characteristics. "Besides, different components use a variety of materials at the intake side of the engine and material integration is a significant challenge," states the analyst. "The plastic intake manifold has to be assembled at the intake side of the engine. Interfacing metals with plastics poses problems related to heat and pressure compatibility of metals with plastics." Hence, the manufacturing process will need to be optimised for easier assembly of powertrain systems with different materials. VMs will also need to involve suppliers at an early stage of development to reduce development costs and increase modularisation.

This research study aims to provide an insight into the powertrain modules & systems market in Europe. Drivers and restraints to the market, factors influencing powertrain systems implementation, supplier responsibility levels, business models, VM platform strategies and Supply chain are the issues analysed in detail as a part of the study. The study constitutes a detailed account of the different Vehicle Manufacturer strategies with respect to powertrain systems, key sourcing priorities and supplier selection criteria used for different powertrain systems.

The following technologies are covered in this research:

- Air Intake Systems: Its main functions are air induction, dynamic charging, swirl and tumble control, return of crankcase gases and exhaust gas recirculation. The intake modules comprises of components such as intake manifold, throttle body, Exhaust Gas recirculation (EGR) valve.

* Exhaust Systems: Exhaust systems are designed mainly to control emissions and also to improve overall efficiency. The components in the exhaust systems in gasoline vehicles are exhaust manifold, catalytic converter and muffler. In Diesel vehicles, exhaust systems are made up of diesel particulate filter (DPF), decoupling elements, catalytic converter and muffler.

* Valvetrain Systems: Valvetrain systems are designed to meet some of the functional requirements such as maximising valve lift area during gas exchange, minimise engine power loss due to friction. Valvetrain systems are comprised of camshafts, valves, valve seats, valve guides, bearing caps.

* Fuel Injection Systems: Fuel Injection systems are primarily designed with the motive of enhancing fuel efficiency and thereby the overall efficiency of the engine, apart from the basic function of injecting fuel into the engine during combustion.

Topics Covered:

* -Daimler Chrysler

* -Fiat Group

* -Ford Group

* -General Motors

* -Renault Nissan

* -PSA Group

* -Toyota Group

* -Volkswagen Group

* -Benteler

* -Borg Warner

* -Bosch

* -Delphi

* -Faurecia

* -Kolbenschmidt Pierburg

* -Mahle

* -Mann+Hummel 

* -Siemens VDO 

* -Thyssen Krupp

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46388