The semiconductor industry shows poor performance of automotive IC is flourishing

According to the latest report from market research organization Databeans, the sales of new car models and the penetration of semi-conductor content within the autos continue to record new heights, and IC sales in this area are also booming.

The Databeans report pointed out that in recent years, the penetration rate of semiconductor components in automobiles has increased by two figures. This year, the average cost of semiconductor content within the automobile has reached 350 US dollars. "Although the high-end luxury car uses significantly higher semiconductor content than mid-to-low-end car models, there are many options for exclusive high-end car models that are gradually becoming standard equipment for mid-range cars;" the report said. “This drip effect is clearly showing signs of acceleration, and this trend is driven by increasing consumer demand for wireless connectivity, energy savings, and security.”

According to Databeans' estimation, in 2012, global semiconductor manufacturers will sell automotive products for a total of 25.3 billion U.S. dollars, which is the same as in 2011, but the shipment volume has increased to 76.7 billion and the average selling price (ASP) is 33 cents. It is predicted that by 2017, the automotive IC market revenue will grow at an average annual rate of 8% to a total of US$37.3 billion and 1,120 shipments. In this era of gloomy semiconductor industry, the automotive application market is a rare bright spot.

Databeans said STMicroelectronics and Infineon are the two brightest performers in the automotive IC market; the former’s automotive IC products account for 17% of the company’s sales. The automotive IC revenue accounted for 43% of the overall revenue. Mario Monti, executive vice president of the Executive Division of STMicroelectronics and general manager of the automotive products business unit, once commented on the EETimes editor: "The automotive industry has good prospects."

In terms of regional markets, Databeans pointed out that in the United States, the sales volume of newly-listed small car models is currently at its best since 2008; the automotive market continues to drive the US economy out of the recession. Recent U.S. official statistics also show that the automobile industry contributed half of the U.S. economy growth rate of 2.2% in the first quarter of 2012.

Databeans estimates that the sales growth of global vehicles will be faster in the second half of the year; in particular, because at the end of May, the Chinese government announced that it would provide subsidies for consumers to replace old trucks and purchase new light commercial vehicles. However, on the other hand, new car sales in Europe have performed poorly, which is lower than the normal level. The German Automobile Manufacturers Association estimates that the European car market will decline by 5% this year. If the debt crisis in European countries can be resolved, the rate is expected to Zoom out.

The sales volume of hybrid electric vehicles and pure electric vehicles (HEV/EV) continued to grow steadily. It is estimated that there will be 2 million units in 2012, which is twice as much as in 2009. Databeans predicts that by 2017, global sales of HEV/EV will reach 4.2 million units.

In addition, according to market research firm IC Insights, the automotive IC market will grow by 8% in 2012, reaching an annual output value of 19.6 billion US dollars. The company said that the slump in the auto industry in 2008 has caused automakers to switch to the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs) and promote the popularity of green schemes. IC Insights added that since the price of gasoline in the United States has been raised to US$4 per gallon, many owners have purchased more fuel-efficient fuel-efficient vehicles to replace high-fuel old cars.

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