Electronics are now assuming a prominent role in shock absorber (damper) product development. 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 can improve handling and reduce costs, plus this type of technology can also help lift revenues for manufacturers. For example, Tenneco Inc's CES product increases the company's content revenues seven-fold compared to a standard shock absorber.

In the fourth edition of this report, just-auto reviews the key market drivers for shock absorbers, and updates the market analysis. just-auto's product fitment forecasts predict the market (by volume and value) worldwide (and by major car-producing region) for shock absorbers. This chapter also sets out detailed market share estimates of the OE market for shock absorbers in Western Europe, North America, Japan, China, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil and worldwide. Chapter 3 sets out a review of recent innovations in this arena while Chapter 4 provides profiles of the major manufacturers, namely ArvinMeritor, Delphi, KYB, Showa Corp, Tenneco and ZF Friedrichshafen.

Chapter 1: Introduction - This chapter provides a brief overview of the sector.

Chapter 2: The market - This extensive chapter includes a number of exclusive interviews with key executives, namely:

• Ed Frutig, Vice President and General Manager, Chassis Systems and David Hunt, Senior Director, Global Chassis Systems Engineering, ArvinMeritor Inc about what the future holds for dampers.
• Sandro Paparelli, Vice President Sales and Programme Management for Ride Control Europe and Koen Reybrouck, Global Ride Control Technology manager, Tenneco Europe NV who talk about the main trends in conventional shock absorber technology.
• Dr Nowak and Dr Eickhoff of ZF Sachs' suspensions systems division who discuss their CDC (Continuous Damping Control) business.

This chapter also provides a look at market trends, and the market players, plus commentary on the emerging markets, China and the Czech Republic. We also include detailed market share estimates of the OE market for shock absorbers in Western Europe, North America, Japan, China, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, plus value and volume data to 2013.

Chapter 3: Technical review - In this chapter we take a look at what a shock absorber consists of, and what technical developments and trends have occurred.
Exclusive Q&A's with Robert Scholz, Chief Engineer, Chassis, Walter Rosinger, Engineer, Pre-development Chassis and Dr Werner Kober, Product Manager Global Chassis Controller at Magna Steyr about the chassis control systems integrator and continuous damping control technologies. Interviews with Oliver Raynauld, Chief Engineer, European Applications for Magneride, Delphi Corp and Dr Alex Alexandridis, Delphi's Chief Engineer for Chassis Technologies are also provided.

Chapter 4: Manufacturers - We profile the major manufacturers in more depth, namely Arvin Meritor, Delphi, KYB, Showa Corp, Tenneco and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. Profiles include information on mergers and acquisitions, products, revenues, manufacturing facilities and customers.

This report is also available as an Intelligence Set. This is a value for money bundle that consists of the report, plus manufacturer or supplier profiles.

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 The market
Market trends
Market players
ArvinMeritor Inc
Q&A with ArvinMeritor
Delphi
Hitachi
KYB
Magneti Marelli
Showa Corp
Tenneco Inc
Q&A with Tenneco Europe NV
ZF Sachs
Q&A with ZF Sachs
Emerging markets
China
Czech Republic
Market shares
Global market
Western European market
North American market
Japanese market
South Korean market
Chinese market
Market forecasts

Chapter 3 Technical review
Defining the elements
Active suspension systems
Q&A with Magna Steyr
Corner modules
Other innovations

Chapter 4 Manufacturers
ArvinMeritor
Delphi
KYB
Showa Corp
Tenneco
ZF Friedrichshafen AG

List of figures
Figure 1: Global market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 2: Western European market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 3: North American market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 4: Brazilian market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 5: Argentinean market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 6: Japanese market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 7: South Korean market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 8: Chinese market shares for OE shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 9: ArvinMeritor’s Adaptive Damping System

List of tables
Table 1: OE market volume of shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, Western Europe, North America and Japan, 2003-2013 (Units ‘000s)
Table 2: OE market value of shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, Western Europe, North America and Japan, 2003-2013 (EUR ’000s)
Table 3: OE market volume of electronic shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, worldwide, 2003-2013 (units)
Table 4: OE market value of electronic shock absorbers for passenger cars and light trucks, worldwide, 2003-2013 (EUR ’000s)
Table 5: Tenneco Inc’s net sales by segment, 2001-2006* (US$m)
Table 6: Tenneco Inc’s percentage of net sales of ride-control equipment for certain geographic areas, 2001-2006* (%)