Automotive Electric Power Steering (EPS) Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)

On an average, globally, about 1.24 million people die in road accidents each year, half of whom are vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and motorcyclists, while the other half die because of side-impact accidents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of cars sold in the world are not compliant with the main safety standards. Only 40 countries have adopted the full set of the seven most important regulations for car safety.

A significant increase in the number of accidents has also encouraged end users to adopt better safety systems. Improvements in roadway and motor vehicle designs have steadily reduced injury and death rates in all the first world countries. However, the accident rates are still higher in some developing countries, and governments are focusing on implementing stringent safety norms and supporting the adoption of various subsystems in the vehicles.

Driven by these factors, automobile manufacturers are incorporating several systems in vehicles that enhance safety. Advanced safety and security features are no longer restricted to premium vehicles. Consumers are now more concerned about safety systems and technologies, and therefore, they are more interested in opting for vehicles that are equipped with better safety systems.

• For instance, Infiniti Q50 incorporated direct adaptive steering in vehicles, which involves sensors in the car that constantly monitor the position of the steering wheel. In addition, torque sensors are integrated into the EPS system. The torque sensors measure the effort applied by the driver to steer the vehicle.

Moreover, the stringency in government regulations regarding fuel efficiency and safety initiatives are important drivers for the growth and development of the advanced steering systems that comprehensively employ steering sensors.

Asia-Pacific dominates the market, and it is expected to witness the same trend over the forecast period, with China dominating the market, followed by India and Japan.

China is the largest automobile market in the world. More than 25.3 million vehicles were sold in the country in 2020 and recorded an 1.2% decline in the sales compared to 2019. However, China is still the largest automotive market due to the sheer number of vehicles that are associated with the country.

The country is characterized by the presence of large number of local and global players. Global players generally enter the Chinese market through joint ventures with regional companies. For instance, Nexteer Automotive entered an agreement with Dongfeng Motor Parts and Components Group to create Dongfeng Nexteer Steering Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd. This new company will deal with the production of single pinion assist electric power steering (SPEPS) systems.

India is an emerging economy where EPS implementation in passenger cars is growing rapidly, owing to its advantages, such as no hoses or fluids required in the steering system, thereby, reducing the repair and maintenance costs. Currently, more than 30% of the passenger cars are running with EPS technology in India, and the technology is likely to be implemented in the majority of the budget passenger cars during the forecast period.