The automotive glass market is projected to grow at 3.7% CAGR over the forecast period (2013-2018).
Polycarbonate glazing has been applied to all recent cars, even electric cars. It protects the user from direct sunlight and provides security from external threats. The market will be primarily driven by smart cars. The growth is directly linked to the growth of the automotive industry.
Glass types include laminated, tempered, and others. Vehicle type encompasses heavy trucks, buses, passenger cars, and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). Buses and heavy trucks accounted for nearly 90% market demand in 2014. Remaining market shares are occupied by LCVs and passenger cars.
Technologies involve Electrochromic, Thermochromic, Photochromic, Liquid Crystal (LC)/Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC), and Suspended Particle Device (SPD). SPD and electrochromic technologies will usher in major demand on account of offering varying degrees of customization to customers. Their demand is expected to reduce the overall price of glasses in years to come.
Sunroofs, sidelites/backlites, sideview/rearview mirror, and windshields are major applications. Regions covered under the market are Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa), and APAC (Asia Pacific). Americas and Europe will witness huge market demand over the forecast period. This can be attributed to the presence of major automotive manufacturers in the region. Another driver of the automotive glass market in this region are strict policies pertained to driver safety by the European Union and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in the United States.
Middle East & Africa will see huge revenue shares in the coming years due to the continuous onslaught of sandstorms in the region. APAC will witness major market shares due to rising disposable incomes and a stable economy.
Key Vendors
•Asahi Glass Co. Ltd.
•Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
•FUYAO Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd.
•Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd.
•Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC
Other Prominent Vendors
•Guardian Industries
•Shanghai Yaohua Pilkington Glass Group Co., Ltd.
•Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.