Automotive relay demand steadily rises PCB relays to become mainstream

Relays are an important electronic component in automotive components. Their application in automobiles is second only to electronic sensors. The continuous improvement of the comfort and safety of automobiles will inevitably lead to the rising demand for automotive relays. It is expected that by 2013, the average number of relays used per vehicle will increase from the current 20 or so to 30 to 35.

Relay is an important electronic component in automotive parts. It is widely used to control automotive starting, preheating, air conditioning, lighting, wiper, electric spray, oil pump, anti-theft, audio, communication, navigation, electric fan, cooling fan , electric windows and doors, airbags, anti-lock braking, suspension control, and automotive electronic instruments and fault diagnosis systems. Its use in automobiles is second only to automotive electronic sensors. With the improvement of the requirements for humanization and comfort of automobiles, the use of automotive relays has shown a rapid upward trend in recent years.

Global automotive relay market rises steadily

With the development of automotive electronics and electrical products in recent years, automotive relays have also developed by leaps and bounds. The production and sales of automotive relays in the world are gradually increasing. It is expected that in the next few years, the degree of automotive electronics will continue to increase, and the automotive industry’s demand for automotive electronics will also increase.

According to a survey conducted by the Venture Development Corporation (Venture De-velopment Corporation) in August 2007 on the global electromagnetic and solid-relay market, the current sales of automotive relays account for about 21% of the global sales of electromagnetic and solid-state relays, and the automotive industry has Exceeds the communication industry and becomes the relay's largest application market. At the same time, statistical data also show that in 2006 global sales of electromagnetic and solid state relays reached 4.4 billion US dollars, of which automotive relay sales of 920 million US dollars. It is estimated that by 2011 global electromagnetic and solid-state relay sales will reach 5.95 billion U.S. dollars. The sales of automotive relays will be 1.25 billion U.S. dollars, with an average annual increase of 6.2%. In 2007, about 22% of the total automobile manufacturing costs came from automotive electronics. It is expected that this proportion will reach 30% to 40% by 2010.

At present, the main suppliers of global automotive relays are BOSCH, HELLA, TYCO, OMRON, Panasonic, and Hongfa, which together account for about 72% of the total global market.

PCB relay market continues to expand

Automotive relays are broadly classified into plug-in automotive relays and PCB (printed circuit board)-type automotive relays, of which plug-in automotive relays are mainly assembled in a central control box and are used with wire harnesses, which are larger than PCBs. Higher current carrying capacity, higher cost, but ease of installation and replacement; and PCB-type automotive relays are used more in automotive electronics modules, and are smaller in size and more integrated with peripheral electronic circuits than plug-in types. The cost is lower. The demand for automotive products in the market has led to the development of relays in the direction of miniaturization, intelligence, and heavy loads.

According to forecast, the total demand for global automotive relays will reach about 2.3 billion in 2008, of which PCB-type automotive relays will account for about 55%, and as people’s requirements for automotive humanity and comfort continue to increase, this ratio will also increase. Constantly increase. At the same time, consumers' increasing demands for safety, comfort, and entertainment in car rides will make car designers have to improve or redesign existing automotive electronic modules and electronic circuits. New performance requirements for PCB-type automotive relays. In addition, the traditional automotive electronics modules switched with PCB relays will likely be replaced by new automotive electronic circuit solutions. All these will bring technology and price pressure to suppliers.