Implementation of Vehicle Safety Legislations to Support Greater Demand for Passive Safety Systems

LONDON, England, August 2 -- Growing customer awareness of the need for enhanced safety, the implementation of legislations, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) protocol and technological advances are crucial factors fuelling the installation of emerging passive safety systems in vehicles. To this end, the European market for emerging passive safety systems such as whiplash protection, occupant sensing and advanced restraint systems is exhibiting significant growth.

Frost & Sullivan (http://www.transportation.frost.com) finds that European Markets for Whiplash Protection, Occupant Sensing and Advanced Restraint Systems earned revenues of $2.51 billion in 2005 and estimates this to reach US$3.21 billion in 2015.

"Despite the market being mature and commoditised, new safety systems are being developed that focus on safety as well as comfort features," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Mr. Vinay Joshi. "New sensing applications, greater need for information, and further integration of various active and passive safety systems are creating opportunities for the development of advanced passive safety systems."

At present, providing safety for rear-seat occupants remains a concern for market participants. While side airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners are the only safety systems that offer protection to rear-seat occupants, their installation in rear seats continues to be insignificant. Yet another challenge faced by market participants is the very short product differentiation life cycle of the safety features of systems.

"As legislation and Euro NCAP protocols often pursue accelerated penetration of these safety systems, they are rapidly becoming commodity features," remarks Mr. Joshi. "Hence, vehicle manufacturers will need to continuously adapt to evolving market needs and introduce advanced safety features to offer product differentiation."

"In view of the need to offer safety in rear-end collision, the market is witnessing increasing emphasis on whiplash protection systems. In addition, high costs related to whiplash injuries, combined with the anticipated Euro NCAP protocol on whiplash system testing, together with growing pressure from insurance agencies are driving an increase in the installation of these systems", adds Mr. Anil Valsan, Programme Manager at Frost & Sullivan. Subsequently, whiplash penetration systems are expected to experience a high penetration rate by 2015 and will be available in one out of every two cars.

Meanwhile, costs of unintended deployment of airbags, the Euro NCAP protocol on seatbelt reminder (SBR) systems and the existing inconsistency in the use of seatbelts are promoting greater demand for occupant sensing systems. At present, SBR and occupant detection systems (ODS) enjoy greater popularity in comparison to occupant classification systems (OCS) that offer less utility. While driver seatbelt reminders exhibit prominence, the expected installation of SBR in front and rear seats will contribute to further growth.

Further, as the seating position of occupants is the primary cause of most injuries that they sustain, advanced restraint systems such as multi-stage airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners are being developed to ensure better occupant restraining capability at the peak of a collision's impact.

In view of the above trends, passive safety systems are expected to evolve into 'intelligent' systems that can adapt to a collision scenario and correct the occupants' seating position, thus ensuring the correct deployment of the system.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the European Markets for Whiplash Protection, Occupant Sensing and Advanced Restraint Systems, send an e-mail to Magdalena Oberland - Corporate Communications at magdalena.oberland@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the information through email upon receipt of the above information.

European Markets for Whiplash Protection, Occupant Sensing and Advanced Restraint Systems is part of the Transportation Subscription, which also includes research in the following markets: whiplash protection systems, occupant sensing systems and advanced restraint systems. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends. All research is evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

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List of key industry participants: Autoliv, Continental, Delphi, Faurecia, IEE, Indet Safety Systems, Key Safety Systems, Lear, Robert Bosch, Siemens, Siemens VDO, Takata petri, Grammer, Johnson Controls

List of keywords in this press release: Europe, passive safety systems, passive safety, whiplash protection, occupant sensing, advanced restraint systems, vehicle safety legislations, Euro NCAP protocol, rear seat occupants, airbags, seatbelt reminders, SBR, occupant detection systems, ODS, occupant classification systems, OCS, multi-stage airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners