Connected Car Market to Reach 250 Million Vehicles by 2020: Gartner

The segment will become one of the largest parts of the rapidly growing Internet of things market, according to the analysts.

There will be more than 250 million connected cars by the end of the decade, according to Gartner analysts.

In a report Jan. 26, the analysts said that vehicles are becoming an increasingly large part of the burgeoning Internet of things (IoT) market, and that will only grow over the next few years, with one in five cars having some form of wireless network connectivity by 2020. As cars are becoming more connected, it will lead to new in-vehicle services and self-driving capabilities. In-car connectivity already is beginning to move from luxury and premium vehicles into more midrange cars, according to James Hines, research director at Gartner.

"The increased consumption and creation of digital content within the vehicle will drive the need for more sophisticated infotainment systems, creating opportunities for application processors, graphics accelerators, displays and human-machine interface technologies," Hines said in a statement. "At the same time, new concepts of mobility and vehicle usage will lead to new business models and expansion of alternatives to car ownership, especially in urban environments."

The IoT is expected to grow rapidly over the next several years as more devices and systems—from smartphones and tablets to cars, home appliances, industrial systems and surveillance cameras—become connected to the Internet and each other. The numbers vary—Gartner analysts predict that the number of connected things will grow from 4.9 billion this year to 25 billion in 2020, while Cisco Systems said it will go from 25 billion last year to 50 billion at the end of the decade—but the trajectory is upward.

Read more at: http://www.eweek.com/networking/connected-car-market-to-reach-250-million-vehicles-by-2020-gartner.html

RESEARCH SNAPSHOT: Review of tyre trends

Continuing just-auto's series of research snapshots - pulled from its automotive research platform, QUBE - Matthew Beecham reviews some technical trends in the tyres sector and rolls out a few facts to memorize and amaze your friends.

With automakers under pressure to produce more fuel-efficient cars, it is hardly surprising to see them eliminating the spare wheel, thereby shedding up to 30 pounds in one stroke. Indeed, a number of automakers now supply a tyre sealant and tyre-inflator pack instead of a full-size or temporary spare wheel (also known as space-saver tyre.) The sealant and compressed air are injected through the tyre valve but the result achieved will depend on the cause of the puncture and how far and fast the flat tyre has been driven on. In other words, tyre inflator kits only work on small punctures over short distances. A major blow-out cannot be repaired using an inflator kit.

One of the most significant innovations in tyre technology over the past decade or so has been the development of the run-flat tyre. Yet while run-flats have done a lot to improve vehicle safety, they still come with a relatively high price tag and are heavier than conventional tyres.

In the longer term, non-pneumatic (airless) tyre technology, which takes a completely different approach, is continuing to advance due to new design concepts and the utilisation of non-standard tyre industry polymers such as polyurethanes and thermo-plastic elastomers. This technology, due to its lighter weight construction and potentially lower material costs, could one day become available at a price that is reachable to all consumers.

Meanwhile, reducing road noise from tyres has been the subject of intense research over the years. With the gradual introduction of electric vehicles, the challenge for the tyre industry is to design a tyre that produces a comfortable level of noise for the environment without having a negative effect on the interior vehicle noise. Continental has introduced a new technology that it claims reduces tyre noise inside the cabin. The innovation features a coating bonded to the inside of the tread area after the actual tyre production process. This special layer of foam is claimed to have a strong damping effect on the sound waves caused by the rolling tyre, so that no matter what surface the vehicle is driving on, the noise level reaching the cabin is up to nine decibels lower.

To read more at: http://www.just-auto.com/analysis/review-of-tyre-trends_id160502.aspx

Leonhirth: New automotive ‘relationship’ changes transportation outlook

Through a series of generally unremarkable events, I am driving a new vehicle or perhaps I should say that I have started a new automotive “relationship.”

This is not a “new car” in the accepted use of that term, but it is a much later model than the car I drove previously, and for the moment, I am still in the “honeymoon” phase of the relationship.

That may be something of a mixed metaphor, but after numerous problems with the previous vehicle, including overheating concerns when heat indexes were in the 100s, I am just enjoying the comfort of not having to look constantly at the heat gauge to determine my need for proximity to a service center.

In fact, the heat gauge was the first thing to go on a recent day that also included a strange roar from the engine and problems with the car’s transmission.

With no other options, I took the car to a service center, and the final prognosis did not come for two days, although the initial discussions were foreboding.

This was on a Friday, and I decided to weigh the decision until Monday — should I invest more in this car or go ahead and take a gamble with another vehicle?

Fortunately, I was able to come to terms on obtaining another vehicle in a fairly brief time, so I was able to divorce, perhaps another mixed metaphor, the old vehicle fairly easily.

The old car is gone; the replacement vehicle is in my driveway.

Although I have argued in the past my relationships with cars have been totally utilitarian — to get from one place to another, I realize that mobility is an important aspect of life — having control of the ability to get from one place to the other.

Benchmarks in such mobility include learning to ride a bike, getting a driver’s license and owning a car.

That may be the viewpoint of a Southern baby boomer who grew up away from any possibilities for mass transit.

My utilitarian viewpoint may have been an effort to separate myself from those who made active efforts, so their vehicles were extensions of their personalities or perhaps even enhancements of their personalities.

Some reports now indicate that the millennial generation may not have the same fixation with motor vehicles that earlier generations did.

They see them primarily as utilitarian at best and support efforts to increase use of mass transit to provide access to jobs, entertainment and other activities in which they are interested.

As I watch people in electronic wheelchairs try to maneuver the streets of Murfreesboro, however, I can see the same need for independent mobility as children on their first bike rides or teens during their first driving lessons.

While I sometimes am concerned about the safety of their vehicles on busy city streets, I understand that the people who are directing them are trying to retain as much independence and mobility as possible.

Transportation is among the biggest challenges that this community faces, and I do not have to venture too far from my residence to watch the many changes that have come and are coming to Memorial Boulevard, not the least of which is the Bridge Over Broad.

Read more at: http://www.dnj.com/story/opinion/2015/07/30/leonhirth-new-automotive-relationship-changes-transportation-outlook/30891103/

3 Automotive Stocks Pushing The Industry Higher

Editor's Note: Any reference to TheStreet Ratings and its underlying recommendation does not reflect the opinion of TheStreet, Inc. or any of its contributors including Jim Cramer.

One out of the three major indices are trading lower today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) trading down 2 points (0.0%) at 17,750 as of Thursday, July 30, 2015, 1:05 PM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,461 issues advancing vs. 1,490 declining with 187 unchanged.
The Automotive industry currently sits up 0.1% versus the S&P 500, which is unchanged.

TheStreet would like to highlight 3 stocks pushing the industry higher today:
3. Icahn ( IEP) is one of the companies pushing the Automotive industry higher today. As of noon trading, Icahn is up $2.22 (2.8%) to $82.70 on heavy volume. Thus far, 53,951 shares of Icahn exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 71,400 shares. The stock has ranged in price between $80.49-$82.99 after having opened the day at $81.10 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $80.48.

Icahn Enterprises L.P., through its subsidiaries, operates in investment, automotive, energy, metals, railcar, gaming, food packaging, real estate, and home fashion businesses in the United States, Germany, and Internationally. Its Investment segment operates various private investment funds.

Icahn has a market cap of $10.1 billion and is part of the conglomerates sector. Shares are down 12.4% year-to-date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there is 1 analyst who rates Icahn a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 1 rates it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Icahn as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in net income, good cash flow from operations and growth in earnings per share.

However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including generally higher debt management risk, disappointing return on equity and a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself. Get the full Icahn Ratings Report now.

Read more at: http://www.thestreet.com/story/13238605/1/3-automotive-stocks-pushing-the-industry-higher.html

Tennessee tops rankings for automotive manufacturing

Tennesse ranks number one in the country when it comes to automotive manufacturing.

Tennessee tops rankings for automotive manufacturingTennessee tops rankings for automotive manufacturingTennessee is the first state to win the honor back-to-back and has ranked No. 1 for automotive manufacturing strength for an unprecedented five times in the past six years.

"Good things are happening in Tennessee, and we appreciate Business Facilities for recognizing that. Thanks to the hard work of so many Tennesseans, we've become known around the world as a leading automobile manufacturing state, and through the Drive to 55, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect initiatives, we're becoming known as a state where employers can find the job skills they need no matter what the skill level may be," Gov. Bill Haslam said. "We aren't letting up on the gas. Whether it's automotive strength, education, business climate or infrastructure, we are working every day to make sure Tennessee is well-positioned for the workforce challenges of today's global market economy."

Tennessee is home to more than 900 manufactueres and suppliers. The Nissan plant in Smyrna is actually the most productive manufacturer in the country! This year alone, 20 automotive projects have committed 4,565 new jobs across the state and nearly $1.1 billion in capital investment.

To read more at: http://www.wbir.com/story/money/2015/07/30/tennessee-tops-rankings-for-automotive-manufacturing/30895187/

AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING MANUFACTURER FIRST TO UTILIZE REVOLUTIONARY NEW LEDS

Missouri-based LED company, Diode Dynamics, has taken a major step forward in automotive lighting technology, by designing and manufacturing the first products using brand-new LED components, featuring an independent white chip in addition to multicolor functionality.

Previous generation multicolor chips feature only red, blue and green (RGB) chips, combining to create a poorly integrated white color. By adding a discrete white chip, the white color is substantially brighter and more balanced, when compared to that of old technology.

The company is now utilizing these components in a full line of LED products, making them the first manufacturer worldwide to bring the technology to market in automotive applications. By upgrading factory-installed LED lighting with the replacement products, vehicle owners can achieve multicolor functionality along with a crisp and pure white output.

Paul McCain, founder of Diode Dynamics, is looking to build upon his company's reputation for innovation by implementing this technology.“With the incredible versatility of these LEDs, I'm confident that they'll be standard on all vehicles within a few years. By being the first to apply this exciting new technology, we will continue being recognized as the go-to source for innovative automotive lighting products.”

Directly manufacturing the products in St. Louis ensures world-class quality, while allowing for rapid implementation of new technologies. “We are the only company manufacturing our own products of this type in the United States," said McCain. "Everyone else relies on off-shore designs and manufacturing. By doing all of this at our facility, we can develop new technologies much faster than the competition, with unmatched overall quality.”

To read more at: http://interact.stltoday.com/pr/business/PR070115034622134

Motorsport.com adds automotive vertical to global portfolio

Motorsport.com has launched Motor1.com, a digital platform dedicated to the automotive world.

MIAMI (July 28, 2015)  — Motorsport.com, a technologically advanced international network of online motorsports and automotive content, today announced the launch of its global footprint into the automotive review sector with the new digital platform, Motor1.com.

Today’s announcement formalizes the recent acquisitions of leading auto industry websites WorldCarFans.com and OmniAuto.it, Italy’s most valuable online resource for automotive news content.

The launch of Motor1.com expands the Company’s current online media portfolio that includes Motorsport.com and Motorsport.tv while strengthening its international network of world-class interactive media content.

“We have shown tremendous strength in our online digital presence producing over 10 editions in multiple languages with Motorsport.com,” said Filippo Salza, president of Motor1.com. “Today’s announcement is the next evolution of our Company’s global approach of bringing our technologically advanced digital distribution platform and fresh vision of content to the automotive sector.”

Motor1.com, with over 1 million pages of content, will target both car buyers and car enthusiasts. Motor1.com will focus on all automotive content: cars, sportscars, supercars, SUV, motorcycles, auto shows while delivering the latest news, car reviews, buying guides, pricelists and a premium video production.

- more -

“The creation of Motor1.com is a key strategy in leverage our current automotive presence,” said Scott Sebastian, vice president of marketing and public relations, Motorsport LLC, “With a worldwide brand presence our internet-based automotive and motorsports verticals will provide our global readership the most comprehensive coverage in the world.”

About Motor1.com

Motor1.com will target both car buyers and car enthusiasts. Motor1.com will focus on all automotive content: cars, sportscars, supercars, SUV, motorcycles, auto shows while delivering the latest news, car reviews, buying guides, pricelists and a premium video production in 14 editions in 10 different languages.

About Motorsport.com

Formed in 1994, Motorsport.com is a technologically advanced international network of online motorsports content featuring world-class digital distribution, video and interactive multimedia worldwide with news bureaus in 14 editions in 10 different languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To read more at: http://www.motorsport.com/automotive/news/motorsport-com-adds-automotive-vertical-to-global-portfolio-633650/

Penske Automotive Q2 earnings rise 29.5%

Penske Automotive Group Inc. reported second-quarter net income rose 29.5 percent driven largely by a high volume of vehicle sales and a solid performance in all business segments.

The nation’s second-largest dealership group said today it posted net income of $95.7 million during the quarter, vs. $73.9 million during the same quarter last year. Revenue increased 12 percent to $4.90 billion during the quarter.

Penske Automotive said it was helped by stronger performance in all areas of the business: new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and service and finance and insurance.

“We just completed the best quarter and six-month period in the history of our company,” said Chairman Roger Penske in a media statement. “The performance of our business continues to demonstrate the flexibility and resiliency of the company’s brand mix and business model.”

Second-quarter operating income rose 17 percent to $159.1 million.

The U.S. comprised 62 percent of Penske’s revenue, its business in the U.K. made up 34 percent and “other” operations contributed 4 percent.

Penske Automotive’s retail sales volume rose to a total of 108,577 units sold, up from 100,765 as the company retailed 58,758 new vehicles and 49,519 used vehicles.

But on a same-store basis, gross margins per vehicle on both new and used declined slightly. Gross profit per new vehicle sold dropped to $2,992 from $3,125 and used fell to $1,780 from $1,978.

On a same-store basis, retail revenue increased 5.6 percent to $4.49 billion. Penske’s retail sales on new units rose to 58,191 from 55,063 units. For the quarter, U.S. industry light sales increased 3.3 percent.

To read more at: http://www.autonews.com/article/20150729/RETAIL07/150729857/penske-automotive-q2-earnings-rise-29-5

Delphi Automotive Agrees to Buy HellermannTyton for $1.7 Billion

LONDON — The auto parts supplier Delphi Automotive said on Thursday that it had agreed to acquire HellermannTyton Group, a British maker of electronic cable equipment, for 1.07 billion pounds, or about $1.7 billion.

The deal is expected to complement Delphi’s existing business of providing electronics components to the auto industry and to enhance its business in Asia, where HellermannTyton has a 15 percent to 20 percent growth rate, the companies said.

More than half of HellermannTyton’s sales in 2014 were to the automotive industry and its suppliers.

HellermannTyton shareholders would receive 480 pence a share in cash, representing a 44.5 percent premium to its closing price on Wednesday.

“With consumers now demanding more connectivity in their vehicles, electrical architecture is the enabler to that added vehicle content,” Kevin P. Clark, the Delphi president and chief executive, said in a news release.

Shares of HellermannTyton rose 41.9 percent to 471.30 pence in early trading in London on Thursday.

HellermannTyton, which is based in Crawley, England, was founded in 1933 and manufactures wire ties, insulation products, cable protection systems and connectors for electronics. It posted revenue of 596.9 million euros, or about $659 million, in 2014 and employs more than 3,800 people.

The transaction is subject to shareholder approval, and it is expected to close by the end of the year.

The HellermannTyton board of directors intends to unanimously recommend that shareholders accept the offer, the companies said.

“We believe that the offer from Delphi provides HellermannTyton shareholders with a value which is highly attractive,” David Newlands, the HellermannTyton chairman, said in a news release.

To read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/31/business/dealbook/delphi-automotive-agrees-to-buy-hellermanntyton-for-1-7-billion.html?_r=0

What the Auto Industry Can Learn from Cloud Computing

Transportation is one of the world’s largest industries. The five largest automotive companies in the world generate more than 750 billion euro in annual revenue. The names in the industry are global brands – BMW, Ford, Daimler. Yet despite its size and stature, it’s also an industry in the midst of transformation. Today, new transportation vendors like Uber, Lyft, Zipcar, and Grabtaxi are changing our relationship with cars.

Few other industries with such a pervasive and tangible impact on each of our lives have gone through recent periods of similar upheaval. Information technology, however, is one of those industries. We all interact with computers on a near daily basis, and like cars today, the IT industry has been undergoing its own transformation over the past 15 years.

Some of the same factors that have driven the transformation in IT help point the way toward the future of transportation. Namely, four themes from the growth of cloud computing help us understand why a shift to “cloud transportation” is underway.

1.  Renting is almost always cheaper than owning.
Historically, renting infrastructure has been relatively expensive. Any renter needed to both cover the profit offered to rental companies and settle for less customized infrastructure. That changed in the world of computing over the last decade – mostly due to the sheer growth in consumers of IT infrastructure.

Today’s cloud IT vendors have both the buying power and the operational discipline to minimize the cost to the customer of a unit of data storage or computing power. With the addition of self-service infrastructure, powered by scalable web interfaces, the cloud IT vendors are also able to provide incredible variety to their customers without dramatically increasing their costs.

The same shift can be anticipated in transportation. Huge vendors of cloud transportation — just like their counterparts in IT — have every incentive to optimize their fleets against cost per mile driven. Unlike the average consumer, cloud transportation vendors will attempt to ensure they (or their drivers) buy the most efficient cars per mile, service them optimally, and retire them on the best schedules. (Ever wonder why Hertz doesn’t have many cars with more than 30,000 miles?)

2. Network effects will be critical to performance.
In a world of cloud infrastructure (whether in software or transportation), there are a number of advantages to scale. Beyond purchasing power, scale helps companies establish strong network effects. In software, these network effects help draw new developers and consumers to a given platform, simplify application deployment and service, and streamline the act of finding relevant talent.

In transportation, networks create value in a couple of ways. The first is convenience. The more Zipcars in your city, the more compelling it is for people to sign up for Zipcar, and the more Zipcar locations can be supported. Similarly, the more Uber drivers there are in a city, the more likely people are to sign up for Uber, and the more likely drivers are to opt into it.

A dense network also limits transaction costs. Every mile driven by a ride-sharing driver with no customer in the seat is a mile of costs that need to be covered. But once a ride-sharing company has built meaningful network density, a driver might leave you on one corner and pick up his next rider only a block down the road.

In cloud computing, we’ve seen these network effects help solidify the position of massive players – locking new entrants out of the market. In the world of transportation, this is definitely a possibility and one of the primary reasons so many next generation companies are trying to expand so quickly.

To read more at: https://hbr.org/2015/07/what-the-auto-industry-can-learn-from-cloud-computing

Car launches to boost demand for auto component cos: Pros

Indian auto ancillary sector is in focus on the back of increase in demand expected from auto companies through new car launches. Ramesh Suri, chairman of Subros and Neeraj Munjal, MD of Shivam Autotech in an interview to CNBC-TV18's Latha Venkatesh and Sonial Shenoy spoke about the outlook for sector and companies going forward.

According to Suri, the company is on track to meet the future requirements of auto companies for their new launches and sees a 10 percent growth for auto sector in the mid-term. Munjal says, the company has already invested heavily into new plants in Bangalore and Rohtak to meet the pick up in demand for two wheelers and four wheelers post monsoon and upcoming festive season.

Munjal is confident of a 20 percent growth in revenues for the company both in FY16-FY17 but says margins could remain under pressure due to increase in investments for new product developments.

Subros is largest automotive air conditioning manufacturer in India, while Shivam Autotech, a Hero Group company (formerly known as Munjal Auto Components) is mainly into manufacturing and marketing auto components.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/car-launches-to-boost-demand-for-auto-component-cos-pros_2231521.html

Auto Parts Manufacturing in the US Industry Market Research Report from IBISWorld Has Been Updated

Auto parts manufacturers endured a tumultuous year in 2009 as automakers, the industry's largest customer, suffered declining sales during the economic downturn. In that year, cash-strapped consumers delayed purchasing big-ticket items, including cars. As a result, demand from motor vehicle manufacturing plummeted. Due to demand for vehicles rebounding in 2010 in response to rising consumer sentiment, auto parts manufacturing plants ramped up production. As this trend continues, industry revenue is expected to increase at a significant annualized rate over the five years to 2014.

Automakers' troubles, especially those of General Motors and Chrysler, came from preexisting structural issues, such as high labor costs, excess production capacity and weak product offerings. These structural issues, according to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Brandon Ruiz, “along with declining demand for automobiles during the recession, exacerbated the problem for industry participants.” For example, “two of the largest auto parts manufacturers, Delphi and Visteon, struggled significantly during the period due to these conditions: Visteon sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2009, just months before Delphi exited a five-year stint in bankruptcy,” says Ruiz.

Fortunately, the downturn is expected to yield long-term benefits across the automotive sector; the recession forced automakers to cut costs, such as labor, and automakers are expected to be more profitable going forward. Furthermore, industry revenue is expected to grow in 2014 as consumer sentiment increases and consumers purchase more big-ticket items. These trends will bode well for the industry in the long run: the greater the demand for vehicles, the greater the demand for industry products. To this end, industry revenue is projected to climb at an annualized rate from 2014 to 2019.

Concentration in the Auto Parts Manufacturing Industry is low. In the five years to 2019, a full automaker recovery will drive industry growth. IBISWorld expects new car sales to slightly increase at an annualized rate over this period as consumer sentiment rises. Additionally, scheduled increases in fuel economy regulations will encourage auto parts manufacturers to develop lightweight, more efficient vehicle systems. Moreover, possible regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles would require expanded exhaust system capabilities. As such, auto parts manufacturers that are involved in developing these types of vehicle components have a smoother road ahead.

Read more at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/03/prweb11672670.htm

Sales of sport utility vehicles shatter records in Australia

SYDNEY: Passenger cars are haemorrhaging market share in Australia as sales of sport utility vehicles shatter records and the gap between the two segments shrinks to its smallest, propelled by the popularity of compact SUVs.

Passenger cars still take up the larger share of Australia's estimated $61 billion auto market. Sales were around 40,000 of the just over 90,000 vehicles sold last month, compared with 30,000 SUV sales. But with passenger car sales sliding 7.3 percent from a year earlier and SUV sales gaining 5.8 percent, the gap between the two shrank to its smallest, 10 years of data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries shows.

"That gap is closing quite quickly, and we're expecting that trend to continue to be driven by the smaller, compact SUVs," said Spencer Little, an industry analyst with Australian market research firm IBISWorld. "They're more versatile - families love them. Their price is lower, they're smaller than the larger SUV models but still roomy."

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/sales-of-sport-utility-vehicles-shatter-records-in-australia/articleshow/47611080.cms

Top 20 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Companies 2015 : Suppliers of Sensors and Semiconductors to Automotive OEMs

As Automated Parking, Adaptive Cruise Control and other ADAS End-User Applications expand from the high-end to mid-range car segment and the NHTSA announces its rear-view camera mandate in North America, our focus is on identifying which company leads the ADAS Market in 2014 and why.

As the race towards autonomous vehicles continues, it is incremental to establish the shares of the leading Suppliers of ADAS technologies in 2014 as these companies are the leading manufacturers of the sensors, the chipsets and in general the technology required for ADAS End-User Applications; the precursor of autonomous driving.

Furthermore, the suppliers of ADAS Sensors (camera, radar, lidar and ultrasonic), Semiconductors and End-User Applications will be those which benefit the most from the growth of the ADAS market due to the utilisation of both their strong links with multiple leading automotive OEMs and their sensor sales' scale.''

Why you should buy the Top 20 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Companies 2015: Suppliers of Sensors and Semiconductors to Automotive OEMs

• Which company is the leader in the ADAS market in 2014?
• What is the composition of the ranking of the leading ADAS companies in 2014?
• What is the product portfolio for each one of the 20 leading companies and what differentiates one from another?

Visiongain's comprehensive analysis contains highly quantitative content delivering solid conclusions benefiting your analysis and illustrates new opportunities and potential revenue streams helping you to remain competitive. This definitive report will benefit your decision making and help to direct your future business strategy.

Avoid falling behind your competitors, missing critical business opportunities or losing industry influence. In our new report you will discover the market share of each one of the leading 20 companies in the automotive ADAS market. The report also assesses technologies, competitive forces and expected regulation. Read on to discover the prospects for the automotive ADAS market in 2014.

In this 120 page report, we guarantee you will receive key information which will benefit you:

• The Ranking of the 20 leading Suppliers of ADAS in 2014 by revenues ($ billion) from the Automotive ADAS Market;
• Market Share allocation (%) in the automotive ADAS market 2014 for each one of the leading 20 companies;
• Profiles and detailed analysis of the leading 20 companies within the automotive ADAS market for 2014 comprising:
- Outlook for their market share in the ADAS market;
- Analysis of their role in the automotive ADAS market including the analysis of the performance of the segment responsible for the ADAS coupled with sales figures for sensors (where available);
- Overview of their automotive ADAS portfolio segmented into ADAS end-user applications and ADAS sensors;
- Company financials (Group Revenues, Profits) and segmentation by product or business segment;
• Examination of the Status of the automotive ADAS market in 2014 including:
- Analysis of the Composition of the Top 20 Ranking in the automotive ADAS market 2014 with regards to the Shares of the Leading 20 companies (Competition, Revenue concentration);
- Overview of the most notable M&A within the automotive ADAS market;
- Analysis of the Market Value ($bn) of the ADAS market in 2014 and the current market drivers and restraints;
- Regional and global average Penetration of ADAS in 2014 (%);
• Analysis of the Status of the Automotive ADAS Sensors in 2014 comprising:
- Overview of the ADAS sensors utilised in each one of the ADAS End-User Application;
- Assessment of the Sales volume (Million Units) of ADAS sensors in 2014 by Sensor Type: Radar, Camera, Lidar, Ultrasonic;
- Presentation of the Market Value ($bn) of the ADAS Sensors in 2014 coupled with their Average Pricing Assumption ($);
• Segmentation of the ADAS Market in 2014:
- Market value ($bn) of each one of the 14 individual ADAS Submarkets (End-User Applications together with their shares in the market;
- National market shares in the automotive ADAS market 2014 (%);
• Conclusions & recommendations.

For more information visit At: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-20-advanced-driver-assistance-systems-adas-companies-2015--suppliers-of-sensors-and-semiconductors-to-automotive-oems-300108993.html

Automotive Tires Market Report 2015-2025

Leading Companies Supplying OEMs & Replacement Aftermarket for Passenger VehiclesA

Visiongain new report calculates that the world market for automotive tires will reach $198.78bn in 2015 and the market is a dynamic and fast changing business. The automotive tires market [https://www.visiongain.com/Report/1451/Automotive-Tires-Market-Report-2015-2025 ] can broadly be divided into two divisions -original equipment tires fitted by the vehicle manufacturer at the factory and the replacement aftermarket. Tires fitted as original equipment naturally follow the global automotive business and the cyclical nature of this business. As new segments of vehicle become more popular new variations of tires are needed and this is one of the drivers of innovation. As vehicles such as sport utility vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles have gained in popularity each needs a slightly different tire with a different balance of performance characteristics.


China has been the largest consumer of passenger cars in the world and therefore this market has become of critical importance for all tire manufacturers. In addition, China is now the world's largest producer of tires both to supply this home market and for export.

How this 158 page report will inform you What is the future for the automotive tires market? Visiongain comprehensive analysis contains highly quantitative content delivering solid conclusions benefiting your analysis and illustrates new opportunities and potential revenue streams helping you to remain competitive. This definitive report will benefit your decision making and help to direct your future business strategy.

We guarantee that you will receive the following key information:A

- Global automotive tires market; forecasts and analysis from 2015 to 2025. - The report provides detailed sales projections of the market, the competitors, and the commercial drivers and restraints allowing you to more effectively compete in the market. In addition to market forecasts from 2015 to 2025, our new study shows current market data, company market shares, original critical analysis, and revealing insight into commercial developments.

- Our report provides 127 tables, charts, and graphs. - Let our analysts present you with a thorough assessment of the current and future automotive tires market prospects. This analysis will achieve quicker, easier understanding. Also you will gain from our analyst's industry expertise allowing you to demonstrate your authority on the automotive tires market sector.

- Discover sales predictions for the key automotive tires submarkets from 2015-2025 - What are the dynamics within the automotive tires industry? How will these markets expand? Which tire submarkets will generate the most revenue? Use our forecasts and expert insight to grow your business and give you more industry influence. Avoid falling behind. Stay informed about the potential for each of these automotive tires submarkets with individual forecasts and analysis from 2015 to 2025. - 12" & 13" Tire Forecast 2015-2025 - 14" Tire Forecast 2015-2025 - 15" Tire Forecast 2015-2025 - 16" Tire Forecast 2015-2025 - 17" Tire Forecast 2015-2025 - 18+" Tire Forecast 2015-2025 - Other Submarket Tire 2015-2025

- Understand the prospects for the automotive tires regional markets - where will the highest revenues and opportunities occur? - Learn about the market potential for automotive tires companies in the developed and developing countries, from 2015 onwards. You will see where and how opportunities exist with revealing individual market forecasts and analysis from 2015-2025 for 5 regional markets. Each regional market is subdivided into OEM and also aftermarket forecasts plus an overall unit sales volume forecast is also provided.

- Europe Tire Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Europe Tire OEM Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Europe Tire Aftermarket Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Europe Tire Unit Sales Forecast 2015-2025 A - North America Tire Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - North America Tire OEM Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - North America Tire Aftermarket Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - North America Tire Unit Sales Forecast 2015-2025 A - Asia Tire Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Asia Tire OEM Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Asia Tire Aftermarket Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Asia Tire Unit Sales Forecast 2015-2025 A - South America Tire Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - South America Tire OEM Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - South America Tire Aftermarket Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - South America Tire Unit Sales Forecast 2015-2025

- Africa & Middle East Tire Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Africa & Middle East Tire OEM Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Africa & Middle East Tire Aftermarket Market Value Forecast 2015-2025 - Africa & Middle East Tire Unit Sales Forecast 2015-2025

- Explore the factors affecting product developers, and everyone within the value chain. Learn about the forces influencing market dynamics. - Explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) affecting the tire industry and product advances. Discover what the present and future outlook for business will be. Learn about the following business critical issues - - Research and development (R&D) strategy - Technological issues and constraints. - Supply and demand dynamics - Increasing specialisation by leading players - Advances in product quality

- Identify the leading tire companies and their market share within the automotive tires industry - Our report reveals the companies which hold the greatest potential. See where the expected gains will be. View visiongain assessment of the prospects for established competitors, rising companies, and new market entrants. Our work explains that potential, helping you stay ahead. Gain a thorough understanding of the competitive landscape with profiles of 10 leading automotive tires companies examining their market share, positioning, capabilities, product portfolios, R&D activity, services, focus, strategies, M&A activity, and future outlook. - Bridgestone - Continental - Goodyear - Hankook Tire Corporation - Maxxis - Michelin - Pirelli - Sumitomo - Toyo Tires - Yokohama

View source version on marketwatch.: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/automotive-tires-market-report-2015-2025-2015-07-01-9203144

Automation in Auto Industry Calls for Metrology Solutions

According to a new analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the Dimensional Metrology Market in the Automotive Industry, rapid automation of automotive manufacturing plants is one of the key factors driving the demand for inline metrology solutions in the automotive industry.

Several powertrain and body-in-white manufacturers will replace traditional, manual measurement solutions – such as coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) – with inline metrology solutions. Moving forward, as companies strive to gain a competitive edge by robotizing their manufacturing plants, end-to-end automated inline metrology will be a key solution demanded by leading automotive manufacturers.

The analysis also finds that the dimensional metrology market earned revenue of $949.2 million in 2013 and estimates this to reach approximately $1,225.1 million in 2018.

Analysis of the Dimensional Metrology Market in the Automotive Industry covers technology such as CMMs, optical digitizer and scanners, vision measuring machine, measurement gages and inline metrology. This research study is a part of the Measurement & Instrumentation Growth Partnership Services program, which provides global Mega Trends, information on emerging markets and the latest technology innovations, market, economic, customer, competitive, and best practices research.

To read more at: http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/92049-automation-in-auto-industry-calls-for-metrology-solutions

Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market 2015-2025

In many ways, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are the first step on the road to semi-autonomous or fully-autonomous self-driving and driverless vehicles. In 2015, Park Assistance, Surround-View Cameras, and Adaptive Cruise Control applications dominate the ADAS market; however, the penetration into passenger cars is relatively low despite the increasing rate of installations into the premium car segment manufacturers.

Often these are fitted in isolation, and even where multiple systems are fitted in a vehicle, great care is taken to ensure that these systems are perceived only as assisting the driver (who must remain fully alert) rather than taking over his role. As the number and abilities of these systems increases, the situation will move further along a continuum from driver assistance to in effect driver substitution, meaning that the driver would no longer be required to be alert and instead the onus would fall on the vehicle to warn the driver when his input was required, bringing him back to a state of full alertness
As Automated Parking, Adaptive Cruise Control and other ADAS End-User Applications expand from the high-end to mid-range car segment and the NHTSA announces its rear-view camera mandate in North America, our focus is on identifying leading companies within the ADAS Market in 2015 and why they prevail. Visiongain assesses that it is necessary to establish a deep focus on the leading Suppliers of ADAS as these companies are the leading manufacturers of the sensors, the chipsets and in general the technology required for ADAS End-User Applications.

Visiongain has calculated that the global automotive ADAS market will reach $21.7bn in 2015.

How this 248 page report delivers: 

• View Automotive ADAS market forecasts and analysis from 2015-2025 to keep your knowledge ahead of your competition and ensure you exploit key business opportunities
- The report provides detailed revenues projections of the market, the competitors, and the commercial drivers and restraints allowing you to more effectively compete in the market. You will also discover original critical analysis, revealing insight into commercial developments

• Our report provides 282 tables, charts and graphs providing instant market insight
• Learn what industry thought leaders are thinking by reading our exclusive expert opinion interview – not available anywhere else. 
- Reading the full transcripts of an exclusive expert opinion interviews from Luxoft.

• Discover revenues predictions for the key automotive ADAS end use submarkets from 2015-2025
- Which automotive ADAS submarkets will generate the most revenue? Stay informed about the potential for each of these automotive ADAS submarkets with individual analysis for 2015-2025.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Adaptive Front Lights (AFL)
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Heads-Up Display (HUD)
- Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Night Vision System (NVS)
- Parking Assistance (PA)
- Pedestrian Detection System (PDS)
- Road Sign Recognition (RSR)
- Surround View Cameras (SVC)

• Find forecasts for the automotive ADAS sensors (In units) from 2015-2025
- LIDAR
- Infrared
- Ultrasound
- LRR-MRR
- Camera
- LRR

To Read more at: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/automotive-advanced-driver-assistance-systems-adas-market-2015-2025-300108978.html

With Iran Nuclear Deal, European Automakers Look To Lead Charge Into Middle East's Largest Car Market

The nuclear agreement worked out between Iran and world powers will loosen an array of sanctions and provide added incentive for European automakers to pile into the Middle East’s largest auto market. But the return to Iran will not be led by newbies. European and Korean automakers with prior experience in the country will spearhead the charge in an attempt to grab market share from Chinese automakers that filled the void in recent years.

The Iranian market isn’t easy to dominate. Consumers prefer dependable, reasonably priced vehicles. “The most successful companies will be those that can produce an auto for the market priced between $8,000 and $10,000,” says Darius Mehri, a University of California sociologist who has studied the Iranian auto industry.

With U.S. automakers still barred from doing business in Iran, the Iranian market for foreign marques is left largely to the Europeans, including Renault, which along with Peugeot had been sending partially assembled cars to Iran to sell in the local market until the most recent sanctions were put in place in 2011. 

Read more At: http://www.ibtimes.com/iran-nuclear-deal-european-automakers-look-lead-charge-middle-easts-largest-car-2010403

Automotive Market Awaits 5G to Leverage Higher Network Coverage, Availability and Density

The world will soon see 5G emerge as a blend of pre-existing technologies such as 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi to allow higher network coverage, availability and density. With its key differentiator being greater connectivity, 5G will act as an enabler for autonomous vehicles, machine-to-machine and machine-to-infrastructure services, and the Internet of Things. It will also penetrate the over-the-air (OTA) updates space as level 3 or 4 automation requires a massive amount of data processing to occur in real time. Through 5G, the OTA updates space will be able to improve the customer experience and save on recall spending.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, The Global Advent of 5G in Cars forecasts that Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan will be the market leaders in commercializing 5G, edging out their United States and European counterparts. With the penetration of long-term evolution (LTE) connections being fairly strong across Asian countries – close to 63 percent in South Korea and 44 percent in Japan – the available infrastructure can easily support 5G.


Major service providers expect to deploy a pilot project in Tokyo Olympics and FIFA World Cup at Russia by 2018. Meanwhile, Asian service providers such as NTT (www.ntt.com), DoCoMo (www.nttdocomo.co.jp), Huawei (www.huawei.com) and SKT (www.sktelecom.com) have entered various partnerships to set up trials for 5G in various bandwidths and identify its potential.

"However, the biggest challenge for network service providers is to enable 5G to provide end-to-end coverage and achieve latency less than one millisecond," said Frost & Sullivan Automotive & Transportation Senior Research Analyst Ramnath Eswaravadivoo. "As such, network service providers have their work cut out to live up to 5G's promise – the seamless extension of services and coverage anywhere, anytime, regardless of whether the user is in a dense area like a stadium/city centre or in a village/high-speed train."

While highly automated cars are expected to commercialize only by 2020, 5G will be the driving force behind vehicle applications involving machine learning, brake/steering, ECU integration, highly accurate GPS, and sensor fusion. 5G will also facilitate wearable devices like smart glasses and smart watches, and help make augmented reality and virtual reality mainstream features in cars.

The Global Advent of 5G in Cars (MB43-18) is part of the Automotive & Transportation Growth Partnership Service programme. Frost & Sullivan's related studies include: Augmented Reality in Cars in North America and the European Union, Health, Wellness, and Wellbeing Technologies in the Global Automotive Industry, The 48v Power-net Market in Europe and North America, and The Future of Intelligent Mobility and its Impact on Transportation. All studies included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

For more details click here: http://www.prnewswire.co.in/news-releases/global-automotive-market-awaits-5g-to-leverage-higher-network-coverage-availability-and-density-517780721.html

Car seats that ensure baby on board is snug and safe

As soon as expectant parents go public with their big news, the baby gear bonanza begins: cribs that transform into toddler beds, self-folding strollers that charge cellphones and the millions of smaller-ticket items, like the $15 Swedish-designed contraption that does a superior job of clearing out your baby’s nose. (It really does).
But there is one essential piece of gear that even many hospitals won’t let newborns leave without: a car seat.

Beyoncé’s daughter had been spotted around town in the Orbit Baby infant car seat, which retails for about $440 — paparazzi shield included. But my cab-hailing toddler occasionally uses a $44 seat, the Cosco Scenera Next, manufactured and packaged in 10 minutes on an assembly line in Indiana.
Many parents may be willing to spend more in the name of safety, especially in a world where defective ignition switches and exploding air bags manage to escape the attention of safety regulators for far too long.

Not necessarily.
Car seats need to meet federal safety standards, but nearly half of all car seats are not installed properly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which could lessen their effectiveness. Other studies put the misuse rate much higher.
“A seat is only as safe as how well it is used,” said Alisa Baer, a pediatrician who has installed more than 10,000 car seats and is one of the certified child car safety experts behind the Car Seat Lady, an advocacy group. “Anytime something is easier, there is a greater chance you will be using it properly.”


The lingo

• All seats can be secured using a seatbelt or the LATCH system (which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), essentially a set of metal clips buried in the back-seat cushions and a top tether, the position of which depends on the car.
• Regardless of which seat or installation method you choose, children up to 2 years old should be seated rear-facing (that is, looking at the back seat), which is the safest position possible. It’s strongly suggested they continue to ride that way until they are too tall or heavy for that style of seat.

The seats

• There are generally three broad categories: infant seats, convertible seats (which can be rear- or forward-facing) and boosters, for older children. Many parents choose rear-facing infant car seats, which typically last until the child is 6 to 15 months old, on average, according to the Car Seat Lady. These seats are convenient because they can also serve as a baby carrier, albeit an unwieldy one. They can snap into a base installed into the car, as well as into a stroller frame. Convertible seats, which typically last until the child is 4 to 6 years old, are heavier and generally far less portable.
• By the time those seats are well-worn, children graduate to the booster, which many states require until the children are 6 or 8 years old. But Baer said that it was safest to use them far longer, or until the seatbelt fits the child properly without a booster, typically when they are 10 to 12.
• There are also “all in one” seats that are designed to work from birth to booster.

“What we find is the more the seat tries to do, the less good it does at each role,” said Jennifer Stockburger, the director of operations at Consumer Reports national automotive test center and head of its car seat testing program.

Ease-of-use features

• Several items can make the seat less of a hassle to install and use, although they may add a bit to the cost. Depending on how many features you want, prices can range from $100 to much more.
• Some seats have separate straps for each half of the body, which makes it less likely the straps will twirl or become uneven, which can be dangerous in a crash.

“More expensive seats often, but not always, have separate straps,” Baer said.

• As your child grows, you’ll also need to adjust the shoulder strap height. Some seats require you to pull the straps out and rethread them through the seat, while others are much simpler (look for a “no rethread” harness).
• Other features make the seat installation less laborious. Push-on LATCH connectors (as opposed to a less expensive hook) are easier to attach to the vehicle’s metal anchor and disconnect with the push of a button.

Safety features

• All seats must meet strict federal safety standards, which, among other things, include passing a frontal crash test in a lab at 30 mph.
• Baer said a few features that enhanced safety, such as seats with “rigid LATCH” systems, which leave less room for error during installation. (Examples include the Nuna Pipa seat base or the Clek Foonf, when forward-facing only.)
• There’s also something called a “load leg,” a metal bar that comes down from the bottom of the child’s seat and rests on the floor.

“This significantly decreases the forces on the head and neck during a crash,” Baer said. “That doesn’t mean seats without it are dangerous. These are just some features that you can buy that enhance safety.”

For more details click here: http://www.telegram.com/article/20150629/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/150629238