In the quest for better ride control, shock absorbers are an area of vehicle performance that is seeing the use of increasingly sophisticated solutions, according to research undertaken by automotive industry website just-auto.com.
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire (PRWEB) November 9, 2007 -- The increased integration and use of electronics is one clear trend and the OE market for more sophisticated suspension systems is booming.
For example, electronic dampers allow a large range between maximum and minimum damping levels and adjust instantly to ensure ride comfort and firm vehicle control.
By integrating mechanical and electronic functions within a vehicle, automakers improve handling and reduce costs.
Such technology can also help lift revenues for vehicle manufacturers. The main competitors offering such technology include Delphi (MagneRide which is currently fitted to a number premium vehicles in the US), Tenneco (Computerised Electronic Suspension (CES) now supplied to certain Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Audi models), and ZF Sachs (Continuous Damping Control (CDC) supplied for certain Audi, Opel, Porsche, Bentley and BMW models).
At an industry-wide level, Tenneco sees the good growth prospects for continuous damping technology by the OEMs. "We can say that the markets are more than tripling over the next three years," said Sandro Paparelli, vice president sales and programme management for Ride Control Europe, Tenneco Europe NV.
"We are also working on system cost reduction in order to make continuous damping technology available for C segment vehicles. That is our objective. If we can achieve that, we expect to see the market further grow considerably."
Koen Reybrouck, global ride control technology manager, Tenneco Europe NV added: "When we talk about the 'tripling of the market', that is basically with the current technology.
"The technologies which are under development focus not only on performance improvement but also on cost reductions which will allow further growth. The trends we see there for those future systems is further application of electronics into the shock absorber itself, allowing the system cost on the vehicle to be dramatically reduced."
Aftermarket underdeveloped
While shock absorber technology is becoming more and more important in the OE world, it is increasingly perceived as a commodity in the aftermarket. Yet the shock absorber continues to play an ever more important role in a new vehicle, especially given the increasing fitment of electronic devices like ABS and ESP.
Tenneco believes that too few drivers are aware of the dangers of worn out shock absorbers. Tests have shown that driving with 50% worn shocks can increase emergency braking by 2.6 meters.
In addition, worn shock absorbers can increase a driver's reaction time by up to 26%, cause uneven headlights - which can dazzle oncoming drivers - increase the risk of the vehicle aquaplaning by nearly 10% and can cause the vehicle to lose control when cornering or caught in a cross wind.
The full just-auto.com report, 'Global market review of shock absorbers - forecasts to 2013' is available from:
www.just-auto.com/shockabsorbers.
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