Automotive Ducts Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, & Competitive Analysis: 2021-2026

Market Insights

Automotive is among the industries that are highly subjected to the changing economic conditions and purchasing power of individuals. In 2019, the automotive industry experienced its biggest ever decline in automobile production since 2010, mainly due to economic downturns in various key countries. The industry challenge got exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, severer than that caused by The Great Recession (2008-2009) (Automotive production plummet during the Great Recession: -12.1% YoY 2008-2009 and The Great Lockdown: -16.7% YoY 2019-2020).

The COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading with new strains affecting the recovery trajectory in several parts of the world. Most of the major countries are squandering money to raise their vaccination rate in order to bring normalcy. The developed economies are well ahead in the race and are aiming to fully vaccinate their people by late 2021, whereas the developing nations, especially densely populated ones like China and India, are planning to fully vaccinate their people by late 2022.

The demand for ducts in the automotive industry in the coming years is principally reliant on the recovery trajectory of automobile production, which, in turn, is dependent upon the normalcy in the market conditions, especially devastated by the pandemic. In the long run, the automotive ducts market is subjected to grow at a promising CAGR over the next five years to reach a milestone figure of US$ 1.7 billion in 2026.

Several factors may collectively rejuvenate the demand for automotive ducts in the coming years. Among several factors, expected recovery in vehicle production supported by an increase in disposable income, increase in motorization rate, etc. shall remain the biggest growth factors. Other noticeable drivers are the increasing penetration of SUVs in the overall vehicle production and stringent regulations regarding carbon emission reductions and fuel efficiency enhancements in major markets. Automakers are increasingly incorporating advanced lightweight parts or systems to address stringent government regulations. Such a trend is also imprinting a great impact on ducts as automakers are demanding lightweight yet durable ducts. Both, reinforced and non-reinforced plastics, are the perennial choices of tier players for the development of lightweight automotive ducts.

Segment Analysis

Automotive Duct Market Share by Vehicle Type

The automotive ducts market is segmented based on the vehicle type as passenger car, LCV, and M&HCV. Passenger car is likely to remain the most dominant vehicle type and is likely to witness the highest growth over the next five years. Increasing motorization rate and reasonably higher production of passenger cars than commercial vehicles are the key factors behind its dominance. LCV, another major segment, is also subjected to record a modest recovery in the post-pandemic market developments.

Automotive Duct Market Share by Application Type

Based on the application type, the market is segmented as HVAC ducts, under-the-hood ducts, and others. HVAC ducts are likely to remain the most dominant application type and are likely to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, whereas under-the-hood ducts are likely to remain the second-largest application type over the same period. HVAC ducts are largely made with plastics (polypropylene or polyethylene plastics). Instrumental panel duct is considered to be the biggest application of ducts in an automobile, which is located in the HVAC area. Other major HVAC ducts generating a noticeable demand are roof ducts, console ducts, and pillar ducts.

Automotive Duct Market Share by Material Type

Based on the material type, the market is segmented as plastic ducts, foam ducts, and other ducts. Plastic ducts are likely to remain the most dominant segment and are also expected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period. Key plastics used to make ducts with or without reinforcements are Polyamide (PA), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Foam ducts are likely to remain the second-largest segment till 2026.

Automotive Duct Market Share by Process Type

Based on the process type, the market is segmented as blow molding, injection molding, thermoforming, and others. Blow molding is likely to remain the most dominant segment over the next five years. Blow molding is the most economical process for producing plastic ducts. Also, the equipment cost is lower, and the manufacturing cost per duct is lower than that of ducts manufactured through the other processes (thermoforming and rotational molding).

Automotive Duct Market Share by Pressure Type

Based on the pressure type, the market is segmented as low-pressure ducts and high-pressure ducts. Low-pressure ducts include HVAC ducts, such as instrumental panel ducts, console ducts, roof ducts, and pillar ducts; and some under-the-hood ducts, such as clean air ducts and dirty air ducts; and ducts covered under the others segment, such as radio cooling duct and brake ducts. High-pressure ducts are majorly used in under-the-hood application areas.

Regional Insights

In terms of region, Asia-Pacific is estimated to maintain its unassailable lead in the global market with China being the engine’s propeller. The regional dominance is due to the high production of passenger cars and LCVs to meet the rising indigenous demand and increasing vehicles’ export. The region is the largest SUV producer with China being the leading country, which further elevates the demand for HVAC ducts in the region. Europe and North America are also projected to generate sizeable demand for automotive ducts during the forecast period. Germany, France, and Russia are known for their advanced technologies in the automotive industry. he automotive ducts market is segmented into the following categories.

Automotive Ducts Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Vehicle Type

Passenger Car (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
LCV (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
M&HCV (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Automotive Ducts Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Application Type

HVAC Ducts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Under-the-Hood Ducts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Automotive Ducts Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Material Type

Plastic Ducts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Foam Ducts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Other Ducts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Automotive Ducts Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Process Type

Blow Molding (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Injection Molding (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Thermoforming (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Automotive Ducts Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Pressure Type

Low-Pressure Ducts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
High-Pressure Ducts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Automotive Ducts Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Region

North America (Country Analysis: the USA, Canada, and Mexico)
Europe (Country Analysis: German, France, the UK, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, South Korea, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Argentina, and Others)

Key Players

The supply chain of the market seems quite convoluted with the presence of many stakeholders including raw material suppliers, automotive duct manufacturers, part/system manufacturers, and OEMs.

Key automotive duct manufacturers are-

• MANN+HUMMEL Group
• Continental AG
• Mahle GmbH
• Sogefi Group
• Trocellen GmbH
• ABC Technologies Inc.
• Nihon Plast Co. Ltd.
• Hutchinson SA
• Kyoraku Co. Ltd.
• Röchling Group
• INOAC Corporation
• Sekiso Co. Ltd.
• Rehau AG
• Bolton Plastic Components Ltd.
• Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.

Research Methodology

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with the publisher’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. About 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all major regions and industry experts have been executed to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Features

This strategic assessment report, from the publisher, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s automotive ducts market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. The report estimates the short- as well as long-term repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the automotive ducts market at the global, regional, as well as country levels. Also, the report provides the possible loss that the industry will register by comparing pre-COVID and post-COVID scenarios. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.