Vehicle Security & Access Systems: 2009 Edition


October 1, 2009
40 Pages - SKU: ABT2493306
License type:
This exclusive new report from ABOUT Automotive updates and extends our first analysis of this sector, which was published in 2005. This new research looks at the ways in which the market for passive entry and other related technologies have developed.  In particular the report looks at the development of smart keys and additional features which the car companies have added to door latches and locking systems including power release, power close and developments in keyless entry.

The report also discusses the development of electronic latches and the problems with their adoption.

The report includes case studies of the locking systems on individual vehicles, such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the first van to have remote keyless entry.  It also describes how the vehicle security market has evolved in the last decade and where it might be heading. 

Differences between Europe, North America and Japan are described, together with projections for take-up rates of new technologies.

The report also identifies the main suppliers in this market, analyses their product offerings and strategies ─ as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Market shares throughout the markets of Europe, North America and Japan are also provided.

The report provides answers to such vital questions as:
  • What will be the next developments in latch design and vehicle security?
  • Why does the commercial vehicle market represent a major opportunity?
  • How can suppliers offer increased functionality to latches, whilst also addressing weight concerns?
  • Despite user concerns and the reluctance of some VMs to adopt passive entry, why is both the fitment of passive entry and the electronics content of security systems set to increase?
  • Which factors are driving the increased use of corporate latches?
Report contents

Chapter 1: Introduction/Executive Summary: scene setting, definition of terms, report scope

Chapter 2: Evolution of the vehicle security market: technical changes, changes in vehicle manufacture purchasing (the move to corporate latches) and differences between Europe and the rest of the world Chapter 3: The Market: market projections of passive entry and related technologies
Chapter 4: Supplier Review: supplier analysis, covering ArvinMeritor, HuF, Intier, Kiekert, Valeo and Continental
Chapter 5: Future developments: identifies the 4 key areas in which further developments will take place


Case Studies

1: The Kiekert modular latch
2: Passive entry: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
3: Passive entry: BMW - Comfort Access on the 1-series
4: The Audi A4 - Advanced key from Marquardt


Chapter 1: Introduction - Executive Summary
Chapter 2: Evolution of the vehicle security market
Chapter 3: The market
3.1: Supply structure - introduction
3.2: Changes in vehicle security features and latch design since the late 1980s
3.2.1: Double locking - not a success, but a catalyst for change nonetheless
3.2.2: Corporate latches - a means to save costs
3.2.3: Supplier loyalty lower in Europe than in Japan
3.2.4: Volkswagen the leader in corporate latches
3.2.5: The ideal solution was not without its problems
3.2.6: CAD systems ease the trend to corporate latches
3.2.7: Applying electronics to vehicle security systems - the fully electronic latch?
3.2.8: Despite problems, ArvinMeritor is continuing with electronic latches
3.2.9: Electronic applications continue to grow despite the ‘failure’ of the electronic latch
3.2.10: Power management and system wake-up = major challenges
3.2.11: Renault’s solution has widespread appeal and application
3.3: Passive entry - a high tech feature with entry level application
3.3.1: Why has passive entry met with consumer resistance?
3.3.2: The commercial vehicle market - a major opportunity?
3.3.3: The future of passive entry
3.3.4: Passive entry did not follow traditional fitment pattern
3.3.5: Current and future take-up of passive entry
3.4: Recent specific developments in key technology and capability
3.4.1: Ford North America - opening the door via a keypad
3.4.2: GM USA - the key fob as an information centre
3.4.3: Nissan Japan - using mobile phones to unlock cars
3.4.4: Tesla - a sports car with extra security
Chapter 4: Supplier review
4.1: Introduction
4.2: Categorising the suppliers
Chapter 5: Future developments
5.1: Emerging markets
5.2: Safety
5.3: Low-effort latches
5.4: Weight reduction
List of tables:
Table 1: European and North American passive entry OE fitment (%)
Table 2: Summary of suppliers’ core business
Table 3: Lock and latch supply patterns
Table 4: Keyless entry supply patterns
Table 5: Keyless entry/keyless start and other door related systems availability (Premium brands)
List of figures:
Figure 1: Automotive latches and lock cylinder market shares: Europe (2009)
Figure 2: Automotive latches and lock cylinder market shares: North America (2009)
Figure 3: Automotive latches and lock cylinder market shares: Japan (2009)
Figure 4: Automotive passive entry systems market shares: Europe (2009)
Figure 5: Automotive passive entry systems market shares: North America (2009)
Figure 6: Automotive passive entry systems market shares: Japan (2009)
Figure 7: The keypad on the Lincoln MKS and the Ford Flex

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