The $1.64 billion worldwide market in new components for the HEV in 2005 will continue to grow exponentially, and an AAGR of 24 % is forecasted through 2010. Value wise, the market of nine electrical/electronics items will jump from $1,149.40 million in 2005 to $3,419.13 million in 2010, whereas market for four mechanical items will jump from $490.8 million in 2005 to $1,392.06 million in year 2010. OEMs are increasingly looking to low-cost countries to source components as vehicle production/assembly is forecast to expand strongly in the next ten years.

Global Market Breakup for New Components Used in Mild and Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (Cars and SUVs), 2003-2010 ($ Millions) Source: BCC, Inc.

INTRODUCTION

The hybrid electric vehicle market has become one of the most promising new markets for OEMs. An increasing number of functions that were traditionally performed by mechanical or electrical systems are now handled by electronics. The motor car as we know it is experiencing a technological revolution. Global warming, climate change and air quality issues have combined with a dramatic increase in oil prices to deliver an imperative for motor vehicle manufacturers to present radically more fuel-efficient vehicles to the market place.

Hybrid engines are being established as an addition to conventional engines. Current worldwide sales figures illustrate this trend and suggest that the hybrid market will grow strongly in coming years. However, forecasts of actual market volumes vary significantly, predicting sales of one million hybrid vehicles by 2010. The component market in hybrid electric vehicles is an attractive and growing multibillion dollar market characterized by reasonable production volumes of components that must be extremely reliable and low in cost. Hybrid vehicles will continue to move into the fast lane, especially in the US and Japan, and new demand from the U.S. market is being taken very seriously by key players in the field.

This comprehensive and timely report will help automakers, tier-one suppliers, battery manufacturers, electric motor manufacturers and established suppliers adopt suitable strategies to retain their market positions as well as apply course corrections to take advantage of the excellent opportunities to increase revenues and profitability by capitalizing on the growing hybrid market.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report addresses key aspects of HEVs:

• Types of hybrid systems and main components
• Current state of hybrid vehicle technology
• Technical issues, costs, choices in hybrid vehicle design
• Market growth, and regulatory issues
• Product development and marketing among OEMs and suppliers
• Key suppliers, and
• Competing technologies to hybrid technologies.