Automotive Airbag
An Automotive Airbag is a safety feature that prevents occupants from being injured during a crash. It is designed to inflate the bag within a car’s interior, where the mechanism for inflation is located in the front passenger dashboard and steering wheel boss. These systems have plastic flaps that tear open under the force of an airbag’s inflation. The airbag control unit triggers the ignition of the gas generator propellant and releases the gas through small vents.
The global automotive airbag market is highly consolidated, with only five major OEMs making up 70 percent of the industry’s total. However, these OEMs are constantly releasing new products and incorporating advanced technology into airbag systems to maintain their leadership position. The following companies lead the industry in automotive airbags: Aptiv Inc., Autoliv Inc., Calsonic Kansei Corporation, Denso Corporation, Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd., Joyson Safety Systems, Magna International, Nihon Plastic Company Co. Ltd., and Valeo SA.
Asia Pacific is expected to see the fastest growth in the coming years, driven by high domestic demand. Automobile manufacturers are increasingly investing in the automotive airbag market to meet the growing customer demand for advanced safety features. Key players in this sector include Delphi Automotive plc., TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., and Tokai Rika Co. Ltd. The growth of these three regions will spur the development of new automotive airbag systems and other safety features.
A robust automotive industry is expected to drive the adoption of airbag technologies throughout the coming years. Rising disposable income and awareness among consumers are expected to drive the market in the coming years. The demand for custom airbags is expected to continue rising, presenting significant growth opportunities for market players. In addition to cars, airbag technology for two-wheelers is becoming more popular, making it a popular option amongst consumers. A combination of these factors should propel the Automotive Airbag market into the next decade.
Despite the growth of the Automotive Airbag market, many companies are focusing on expansion through strategic partnerships, product portfolio diversification, and the adoption of advanced technologies. To achieve this, automotive airbag manufacturers are turning to targeted mergers and acquisitions to boost sales. In India, for example, Joyson Safety Systems recently announced the launch of a Tri-Party joint venture with Takata India Pvt. Ltd. Moreover, DENSO will have a substantial stake in JASM.
As passenger car sales in India rise, the need for affordable airbags becomes an important issue. Manufacturers are forced to make compromises on both cost and durability, and this discourages consumers from purchasing vehicles that don’t have airbags. Increasing the cost of airbag systems will continue to challenge the Automotive Airbag industry as it seeks to cut off cheap manufacturers and increase consumer awareness. However, it is worth noting that the demand for automotive airbags in India is set to surpass US$ 18.5 billion by 2021.
In severe frontal collisions, an Automotive Airbag will deploy to protect the occupants. The specific threshold for airbag deployment is defined by regulations governing vehicle construction in a particular market. For example, the United States requires that airbags deploy if the deceleration is the equivalent of 23 km/h barrier collision or 14 mph on a parked car. International regulations are performance-based and depend on the overall design of the vehicle.