Market Trends of United States Automotive Airbag Systems Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the US Airbag Systems Market according to our research experts:
Silicone Coated Airbags to growth at a fast pace
Silicon coated airbags have captured the largest market share in the United States due to its properties like lighter weight, reduced stiffness, along with higher performance and lower costs, which has propelled many airbag manufacturers to switch from Neoprene coating to Silicone coating. Neoprene is very thick and needed to be mixed with a solvent in order to be applied to the fabric.
Silicone makes the process of inflating the airbag more effective due to its properties like thermal resistance, slip, and protection. During deployment, airbags create heat, and passengers in the vehicle risk getting burnt. Also, the fabric of the airbag cushion must be able to withstand this heat without ripping or tearing. Silicone coating on the airbag helps to protect the fabric from heat and also prevent passengers from getting burnt. Silicone venting membranes in the airbag fabric allow the airbag to quickly deflate once it reached its peak inflation pressure. Silicone is chemically compatible with nylon fabric and provides a protective layer against moisture and remains chemically inert, unlike neoprene coating which generates hydrochloric acid during aging, which actively damages the fiber. Moreover, as the silicone coating is very stable over time, it prevents airbags from becoming stuck and ensures the smooth deployment even after many years, therefore the demand for silicone coated airbags is expected to be high in the coming future.
Electric Vehicles to Drive the growth of the Market
The expanding market for electric and hybrid vehicles is a major driver for the airbag systems market. There has been tremendous growth in the electric vehicle market in the country. The United States has the highest number of electric vehicles after China and Europe.
The sales of electric vehicles in the country are expected to increase, owing to a fall in costs of batteries and improvements in technologies, like increased storage capacity which has led to increased adoption by buyers. In order to encourage the sales of electric vehicles, over half of the states in the country are using rebates, tax exemptions, and tax credits. For instance, states like California offer rebates to light-duty zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrids electric vehicles. Similarly, Washington and New Jersey exempt EVs from motor vehicle sales and use taxes. Louisiana and Maryland provide tax credits of up to USD 2,500 and USD 3,000 per vehicle, respectively.
Major electric vehicle manufacturers are exploring more ways to make their vehicles even safer by investing significantly in research and development of vehicle safety systems, for instance, Tesla Inc, recently got a patent for company's new safety system named Sensors for Vehicle Occupant Classification Systems and Methods. The safety systems with the help of sensors placed on the vehicle's seat enables cars to classify their occupants. By classifying the size, weight, and body type (among others) of a passenger, the car would be able to deploy airbags in the safest way possible during an accident.
