The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Global Passenger Vehicle Smart Actuators Industry

Competitive Intensity

• Why:

  • As automotive OEMs have always tried to keep costs down, customers have a wide variety of automobiles to choose from, which has increased competition.
  • Adding value to products yet keeping the cost relatively the same is a major benefit; it helps OEMs set their product apart and gain a competitive edge in terms of product positioning and value.
• Frost Perspective:
  • Smart actuators help OEMs achieve the level of control and precision that is desired in cutting-edge components.
  • OEMs could push to adopt smart actuators, which offer reaction times that is faster than conventional times and allow for much more localized control.

Disruptive Technologies

• Why:

  • Automotive development is shifting from creating a hardware-defined product to a software-defined product, or a software-defined vehicle (SDV).
  • SDVs allow OEMs to standardize hardware while simultaneously providing them the freedom to implement over-the-air (OTA) updates during a vehicle's lifetime.
• Frost Perspective:
  • With the advent of SDVs, many parameters can be controlled on the fly, with minimal input needed from the driver. Such systems rely on faster decision-making coupled with faster reaction times from the actuators.
  • Smart actuators with localized control systems bypass the need for decisions from the central computing systems, allowing OEMs to move toward zonal computers.

Transformative Mega Trends

• Why:
  • CASE convergence is sweeping the automotive industry, a shift in dynamics that is elevating CASE vehicles into a Mega Trend.
  • OEMs are looking to conform to this trend by building vehicles that offer comfort and convenience features, which include ADAS, AD, and connectivity.
• Frost Perspective:
  • Electric vehicles (EVs) will likely move away from purely mechanical components to electromechanical components that are software-controlled.
  • The adoption of electrically operated smart actuators will drive this shift toward electromechanical components.

Segmentation

Smart Actuators in Passenger Vehicles

Chassis

• A chassis system includes the steering, braking, and suspension components.

• With increased adoption of AD and ADAS, smart actuators are utilized for features such as ALKS and AEB in steering and braking. Traditionally, these actuators found use in ABS and EBD systems.

• Smart actuators work in active and semi-active suspension systems.

Subsegments:

• Steer by wire
• Steering
• Brake by wire
• Suspension
• ABS/EBD

HVAC

• HVAC systems create a comfortable environment for passengers.

• Mass market vehicles have a simple single-zone AC system whereas luxury models have up to 4-zone AC systems. These systems maintain different temperatures in different areas of the vehicle and require multiple actuators to control the airflow and its temperature.

Subsegments:

• Climate control
• Powertrain thermal management (ICE & EV)

Body Systems

• Smart actuators support different parts of the body systems.

• Traditional uses include doors locks, window actuators, and tail gate actuators.

• Novel uses include front grill shutters and aerodynamic aids in newer generation cars.

Subsegments:

• Active aerodynamics
• Active grill shutters
• Door systems
• Roof systems
• Headlamp cornering
• Rain sensing wipers

Powertrain & Transmission

• In traditional ICE-equipped vehicles, smart actuators are used in variable valve timing (VVT) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to increase operating efficiency.

• For ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), actuators are used for throttle control.

• Automatic transmissions and AWD systems employ smart actuators as well.

Subsegments:

• EGR
• VVT
• ePKB
• Turbosystems
• AMT/AT/DCT
• AWD/4WD

Key Competitors

• VALEO
• CONTINENTAL
• JOHNSON ELECTRIC
• BOSCH
• ZF
• DENSO
• MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

Competitive Environment