Increasingly strict global standards to limit CO2 and other greenhouse gases will be the most important factor that drives global automotive manufacturers to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. With rising liquid fuel costs, consumer demand also supports the need for better fuel economy. Reducing vehicle weight allows the maintenance of driving performance with smaller engines, but safety standards must still be maintained. Automotive manufacturers are looking for ways to achieve the fuel savings of hybrid vehicles at a significantly lower cost premium.
Multiple factors are driving manufacturers to produce more efficient vehicles. Global government standards are converging, and there are financial penalties for failing to meet them in some regions. Consumers are demanding better fuel economy from new vehicles, though demand varies depending on the vehicle segment. Meanwhile, global new vehicle production is expected to increase slowly but steadily through 2025, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Although the use of alternative fuels and electric power is expected to continue growing, gasoline is anticipated to remain the leading fuel, with a strong trend toward stop-start vehicles. According to Navigant Research, global light duty vehicle (LDV) sales are expected to grow from 84 million in 2014 to 109 million in 2025.
This Navigant Research report analyzes the emerging global market for technologies that improve fuel economy. The study examines the consumer demand and regulatory background related to features and lightweight materials for increasing fuel efficiency in vehicles. Global market forecasts for LDV sales, segmented by powertrain, region, and number of cylinders, extend through 2025. Additional forecasts by region are provided for the volumes and associated revenue of key fuel efficient systems and materials. The report also examines the approach of the leading vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and industry players and evaluates how the market for lighter and more efficient vehicle technologies will evolve.
