Impelled by demands for better fuel economy, emissions and reduced NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) – and greater integration with other vehicle control systems – 4WD drivetrains are becoming ever more sophisticated. Containing key analysis of the macro-industry factors currently affecting the 4WD sector, this report provides the latest information on VMs' activities and suppliers' technology going into the latest 4WD systems.

At over 230 pages, with 36 tables and over 30 figures, this 2009 edition of just-auto's global market review of 4WD transmissions is our most comprehensive study on the sector yet. Taking into account the current industry downturn, this report provides the very latest research and market data on where the sector is to date and where it's likely heading to 2014.

Chapter 1 Developments reviews the recent turmoil in the global car market with particular attention being paid to the US market. The author discusses what the market backdrop means for the 4WD sector and finishes the chapter with just-auto's estimates of 4WD installations (% share and by volume) by major region from 2007 to 2014.

Chapter 2 Fight for survival continues chapter 1's review of the key factors that have driven the industry to where it is now. Offering extensive analysis by major car producing region, it provides a backdrop to the report's 4WD sector analysis.

Chapter 3 Detroit’s Big Three – same problems, different approaches
The US has a history of being the world’s most significant 4WD market, which ironically is one of the reasons its car makers are in such turmoil. So how much trouble are Detroit’s Big Three really in? And what are they doing about it? This chapter discusses why this has ramifications for vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers around the world.
It also reviews the latest plant and JV operations set up by the Detroit Three and associated manufacturers and provides extensive financial analysis of the companies.

Chapter 4 Elements of a 4WD system
At the heart of most systems are geared means of delivering motive force from engine to wheels, accompanied by control of that delivery with anything from the most basic techniques to state-of-the-art micro-management. As with so much else in automotive development, increasing integration of an array of electronic control systems make it steadily more difficult – and indeed pointless – to view an AWD set-up in isolation from the rest of the vehicle.

Where one starts from defines basic choices quite quickly. If the objective is a high, wide and handsome purpose-built 4x4, this will indicate a transfer case. If the goal is to piggy-back some form of part-time or full-time AWD onto an existing car platform, this may tick the box for a power transfer unit.

This chapter describes all major 4WD component systems from the ground up, and discusses examples of each currently being manufactured. Areas covered include: the transfer case, power take-off unit, final drive unit, differential, torque management devices, side-shafts, constant velocity joints, propeller shafts and stability systems.

Chapter 5 4WD propositions
Here the report focuses on each of the vehiclemakers' latest AWD interpretations, providing a comprehensive run-down of all the latest innovations applied - totalling 60 pages covering 19 manufacturers.

Chapter 6 Key 4WD suppliers
Here, 58 pages cover the latest technology from the major suppliers, namely: American Axle, BorgWarner, Dana, GKN Driveline, Haldex, Magna and Torsen. We also profile the suppliers, analysing their financial positions and strategies.

The chapter ends with just-auto's estimates of supplier shares for the global diversified driveline market trending from 2009 to 2014.

Chapter 7 Where now for 4WD?
Though consumers will not lightly abandon their beloved large cars, they face three crucial pressures to shift their ground. The fallout from disarray in global financial markets has created a climate of uncertainty about employment and other prospects. Then there are the implications of the Energy Bill, passed by Congress in December 2007. It appears even more challenging when you add on the complexities, weight and friction losses inherent in traditional 4WD systems that appeal so strongly. This is likely to accelerate development and introduction of ‘active’ or ‘on-demand’ 4WD systems, making use of increasingly clever electronic controls. The benefits sought, of course, include reduced weight and friction losses, contributing to economy improvements.

This chapter looks at likely future adaptations of 4WD developments by each of the main players.

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

Upgrade to a multi-user licence version of this report and receive a complimentary excel file containing all data tables included in the report, allowing you to share data more efficiently with colleagues.

Read more about this report with just-auto's research article here

Chapter 1 Developments

Chapter 2 Fight for survival
Soaring fuel costs
Sliding US sales
Chain reaction
Improving productivity
Profitability gap
Bleak outlook in Europe
Suppliers in jeopardy
Japan faces stagnant demand
Back in Washington
Enormous pressures
Thumbs-down
Presidential solution

Chapter 3 The Detroit Three - same problems, different approaches
Chrysler
Marriage and divorce
Major launches
Continued co-operation
Ford
Credit crisis
Slashed headcount
Powertrain upgrades
Sustainability plan
General Motors
Joint ventures
Capacity cuts
Worldwide product development
Assets for sale

Chapter 4 Elements of a 4WD system
Transfer case
Power take-off unit
Final drive unit
Differential
Torque management devices
Active TMDs
Passive TMDs
Speed-sensing TMDs
Torque sensing TMDs
Side-shafts
Constant velocity joints
Propeller shafts
Stability systems
Finding more traction
Steep descents

Chapter 5 4WD propositions
Alfa Romeo Q4
Audi quattro
Bentley Continental GT Speed and GTC Speed
BMW xDrive
Fiat Panda 4x4
Ford Control Trac
Honda
Real Time 4x4
SH-AWD
Jeep
Command-Trac I
Command-Trac II
Freedom Drive I
Freedom-Drive II
Quadra-Drive II
Quadra-Trac I
Quadra-Trac II
Rock-Trac
Selec-Trac II
Land Rover
Defender
Freelander 2
Discovery 3
Range Rover
Range Rover Sport
Mazda Active Torque-Split
Mercedes-Benz 4Matic
G-Class
GL-Class
GLK-Class
M-Class
R-Class
Mitsubishi
Super Select
Active Skid & Traction Control
Super Select II
Super All Wheel Control
ECU integration
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan
All-Mode 4x4-i
ATTESA E-TS
e4WD
Porsche - Porsche Traction Management
Subaru E-4AT
Suzuki SX4
Toyota
Adaptive Variable Suspension
Active Height Control
Crawl Control
Hill-start Assist Control
Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System
Toyota Transfer Unit
Volkswagen
4Motion

Chapter 6 Key 4WD suppliers
American Axle & Manufacturing
Continued shift
New business
More electronics
Differentials
Torque transfer
Challenging market
BorgWarner
Engine Group
Drivetrain Group
New business
China
Changing expectations
Dana Holding Corporation
Chapter 11
Market challenges
Business groups
Collaboration with Getrag
Research and development
GKN Driveline
Below expectations
Worldwide testing
Solutions
2008 highlights
Drive shafts
Geared power transmission
Torque management devices
Active TMDs
Passive TMDs
Motorsport
Haldex
Market leader
How Haldex couplings work
Generation 1
Generation 2
Generation 3
Generation 4
Generation 5
Re-focusing the business
Rapidly bleaker market
Magna International
Diversification
Powertrain systems
Engineering
Mechatronics
Vehicle engineering and assembly
Uncertain outlook
JTEKT
Driveline components
Torsen halo
Achievement
Today's choices
T-1/Type A
T-2/Type B
T-2R/Racemaster
T-3/Type C

Chapter 7 Where now for 4WD?
Hybrids winning friends
Electric Motor Assisted 4WD
The Detroit Three
PSA's novel approach
A vision of the future already on the road
The future is greener

Chapter 8 Glossary of terms

Chapter 9 Who builds what and where, derivatives and relations

List of figures
Figure 1: The question on everyone's lips in Detroit: Would Barak Obama come riding to their rescue in the new presidential limo?
Figure 2: Even Jeeps are going electric as part of the ENVI plan
Figure 3: Ford Flex crossover with seven seats and 3.5-litre twin turbo V6, doing more of the same for less
Figure 4: Chevrolet Equinox 5-seat crossover with 2.4-litre direct injection 4-cylinder engine, aimed at Toyota's RAV-4 and Honda's CR-V
Figure 5: Transmission essentials 1: Light truck/SUV
Figure 6: Transmission essentials 2: SUV
Figure 7: Transmission essentials 3: FWD/AWD crossover vehicle
Figure 8: Transfer case
Figure 9: 4Matic centre differential and transfer to front axle
Figure 10: Touareg transfer case
Figure 11: FWD-based AWD with hang-on PTU at the front and Haldex coupling with ELSD at the rear
Figure 12: Quattro torque vectoring sport differential
Figure 13: Vectordrive collaboration with ZF for BMW X6
Figure 14: DYC (Direct Yaw Control) torque vectoring rear axle on Acura RDX crossover SUV
Figure 15: Pajero underside shows the complexities of integrating AWD with other vehicle systems
Figure 16: Complete AWD powertrain
Figure 17: How it works: quattro sport differential in action
Figure 18: Mid-engined R8 quattro drivetrain
Figure 19: X5 understeer: when DSC+ opens the centre clutch, feeding more torque to the rear wheels to bring the front back into line
Figure 20: X5 oversteer: DSC+ engages the centre clutch, directing more torque to the front wheels to bring the rear back into line
Figure 21: Acura RL saloon with upgraded SH-AWD and DYC (Direct Yaw Control) rear axle
Figure 22: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, all-American icon
Figure 23: Sand mode: Freelander 2 crossover
Figure 24: Mud & ruts mode: Discovery 3 SUV
Figure 25: When AWD makes sense: Range Rover in grass/gravel/snow mode
Figure 26: Tightly packaged. 4Matic front axle passes through the sump
Figure 27: 4Matic centre differential and transfer gearing
Figure 28: AWD driveline. GLK compact crossover
Figure 29: Super Select RWD-based on-demand 4WD on the Pajero has four selectable modes
Figure 30: GT-R coupé with upgraded Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain
Figure 31: PTM: now based on an electronically-controlled multi-plate central clutch
Figure 32: Torsen centre differential used on longitudinally-engined 4Motion cars
Figure 33: Haldex rear coupling used on transverse-engined 4Motion vehicles
Figure 34: Touareg SUV driveline
Figure 35: RC HYmotion4 GT coupé concept combines performance, 4WD and eco-efficiency
Figure 36: Though at the rear, the ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) - already under evaluation on Freelander 2-based full-hybrid diesel prototypes - can also drive the front wheels
Figure 37: Though the ERAD module is at the rear, it can also drive the front wheels

List of tables
Table 1: Regional shares of 4WD installations, 2007-2014 (% of overall build)
Table 2: Global markets for 4WD systems by region, 2007 2009-2014 (m vehicles)
Table 3: Employment impact of Detroit Three collapse
Table 4: Chrysler's sales outlook, 2009-2012
Table 5: Chrysler worldwide production, 2007 (units)
Table 6: Changing emphasis: Ford rebalances its US product portfolio (%)
Table 7: US total vehicle sales, 2007-2011, at 'slightly improved rates' (m units)
Table 8: US total vehicle sales, 2007-2011, at 'current rates' (m units)
Table 9: US total vehicle sales, 20077-2011, at 'worst rates' (m units)
Table 10: Ford worldwide production, 2007
Table 11: GM fuel efficiency improvements, 2000-2012
Table 12: GM manufacturing improvements, 2000-2012
Table 13: General Motors worldwide production, 2007 (units)
Table 14: American Axle & Manufacturing: Net sales by region 2005-2007 (US$m)
Table 15: American Axle & Manufacturing: Net sales by customer 2005-2007 (US$m)
Table 16: Shifting segments: North American sales by vehicle type, 2007 and 2013 (%)
Table 17: BorgWarner projected revenues by customer 2008 (%)
Table 18: BorgWarner diversity of vehicle types, 2008 (%)
Table 19: BorgWarner Inc overall net sales 2005-2007 (US$m)
Table 20: BorgWarner net sales by business segment, 2005-2007 (US$m)
Table 21: Dana revenues by customer, 2008 (%)
Table 22: Dana revenues by product line, 2008 (%)
Table 23: Dana revenues by region, 2008 (%)
Table 24: Dana net sales, 2006-2007 (US$m)
Table 25: Dana first half-year sales, 2007 and 2008 (US$m)
Table 26: GKN Driveline sales by region, first half 2008 (%)
Table 27: GKN sales by division, 2007 (GBPm and %)
Table 28: Haldex sales by division, 2008 (%)
Table 29: Haldex sales by market, 2007 (%)
Table 30: Haldex Traction Systems sales, 2003-2007 (SEKm)
Table 31: Magna global automotive sales by customer, 2007 (%)
Table 32: Magna sales by customer, 2005-2007 (US$m)
Table 33: Magna automotive products and services sales by division, 2005-2007 (US$m)
Table 34: Magna sales by region and content per vehicle, 2005-2007 (US$m)
Table 35: Magna employees by region, September 2008
Table 36: Supplier shares of global diversified driveline market, 2009-2014 (%)
Table 37: Who builds what and where, derivatives and relations