Air Suspension Market

[281 Pages Report] The air suspension market is expected to reach USD 13.9 billion by 2030, up from USD 10.0 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 5.6%. The market is primarily driven by consumer preference for vehicle comfort and safety and the widespread adoption of air suspension systems in heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs). Heavy trucks are commonly equipped with air suspension systems due to their capacity to carry heavy and variable loads, which can significantly affect their stability and handling. These systems automatically adjust the vehicle height and stiffness based on the load, ensuring optimal performance and safety. Additionally, air suspension systems require ample space, making trucks well-suited for installation. This will, in turn, raise the demand for heavy commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, in the coming years.

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Market Dynamics

Driver: Surge in heavy commercial vehicle sales

In recent years, the global demand for commercial vehicles has increased significantly. OICA reported that commercial vehicle sales increased from 23.0 million units in 2021 to 26.4 million units in 2023. This growth can be attributed to increasing infrastructure spending, rising import-export trade, urbanization, growing e-commerce activities, the construction industry for residential and industrial applications, smart-city projects, and last-mile delivery services. With improving economic and technological advancements and regulatory changes, the global demand for heavy-duty vehicles will continue growing.

In North America and Europe, most heavy trucks, multi-axle buses, and semi-trailer trucks have air suspension as a standard fitment. These models include Volvo FH, Volvo 9700, Mercedes-Benz Citaro, Scania Touring HD, MAN Lion’s Coach Mercedes Actros, Freightliner Cascadia, Scania R-series, Iveco Trakker, Eurocargo, Kenworth C500, T440, T470, T800 and W900. Meanwhile, the global demand for premium vehicles has also grown with a shift in consumer demand for comfort and safety. The developed nations of Europe and North America, along with Asia Pacific countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea, are key markets for these vehicles. Therefore, the global rise in commercial vehicle sales, along with upcoming regulations on cabin comfort for heavy trucks and semi-trailers, would encourage OEMs to offer air suspension systems in heavy trucks.

Restraint: High development and adoption costs

Technological innovations have significantly propelled the market for air suspension systems. However, these modern electronically controlled air-suspended systems are more complex. Design, prototyping, and production require significant investment, resulting in higher costs and longer development times. The integration of additional sensors, solenoid valves, and electronic control units into existing vehicle models necessitates significant design modifications, further raising the cost of air suspension systems. In developed regions such as Europe and North America, there is an increasing demand for premium segment vehicles, which prompts the adoption of advanced technologies. However, in price-sensitive markets such as Asia Pacific and the Rest of the World, economy-segment cars are commonly preferred. Therefore, due to the high cost of air suspension systems, OEMs are hesitant to integrate these systems into mid-segment vehicles, especially in developing countries. This may restrain the growth of the air suspension market.

Opportunity: Trend of lightweight air suspension systems

The trend of lightweight vehicles has helped OEMs decrease CO2 emissions and increase fuel efficiency. Light-duty vehicles’ suspension systems and chassis constitute 22–27% of the vehicle weight, including the suspension, steering, brake, tires, and wheels. Conventional suspension systems are heavy, increasing vehicle weight and fuel consumption. Suspension makers are continually searching for the optimum blend of material content in a chassis and components, lowering the weight without compromising the performance. For instance, Kenworth Truck Company (US) succeeded in decreasing the suspension system weight by 400 pounds with the help of an air-ride suspension system. Similarly, SAF Holland SE (Germany) presented a lightweight CBX23 AeroBeam fixed frame air suspension, which gives a balance between power and weight for improved performance in heavy trucks. The textile-reinforced rubber air springs reduce the weight of the suspension systems. Such initiatives would prompt other players to develop lightweight air suspension systems and related components to tap new business opportunities in the coming years.

Challenge: Significant presence of local suppliers

Prominent air suspension manufacturers such as Continental AG (Germany), ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany),  ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany), Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. (US), and Firestone Industrial Products LLC (US) offer a wide range of air suspensions and related components in the OEM market. These manufacturers also offer after-sale services for vehicles. Customers mostly prefer to install air suspension systems in their vehicles through aftermarket. Local players such as Air Lift Company (US), Arnott, RideTech (US), and Gibraltar Air Springs (India) also offer air suspension components in the aftermarket for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. These companies primarily focus on the customized automotive air suspension market, which can impede the growth of more extensive, established companies. The need for replacement and retrofit solutions is anticipated to expand with the growing popularity of air suspension systems. This intense competition may further hinder the expansion of well-established players in the air suspension market.

Air Suspension Market Ecosystem

Air suspension manufacturers have the latest technologies, diversified portfolios, and strong global distribution networks. These manufacturers include ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany), Cummins-Meritor Inc. (US), SAF Holland SE (Germany), ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany), and Continental AG (Germany). The ecosystem analysis highlights various players in the air suspension ecosystem, primarily representing component providers, manufacturers, and automotive OEMs.

Electrotonically controlled air suspension systems to be fastest-growing segment by technology

The electronically controlled segment is expected to exhibit the fastest growth, driven by technological innovations. Many electric and hybrid vehicles are positioned in the premium class segment, mainly equipped with advanced suspension systems to meet consumer demand for performance and luxury. Asia Pacific secures the largest share of electronically controlled air suspension systems, followed by Europe, due to higher technological adoption and wider acceptance. Several passenger car models in Europe, including the Audi e-Tron, Audi e-Tron GT, Mercedes EQE, Mercedes EQS, Porsche Taycan, Jaguar I-pace, SYD Tang EV, Rivian RIS, and Rivian RIT, are equipped with these systems. Similarly, heavy-duty trucks with electronically controlled air suspension improve stability by automatically responding to load and road conditions changes. Maximizing the vehicle’s height for improved aerodynamics increases fuel efficiency, minimizes wear on the vehicle, and enhances safety and handling. The rapid adoption of these systems in heavy-duty vehicles will further impact the growth of electronically controlled air suspension systems in the coming years.

Trucks to be largest segment by vehicle type

The trucks segment is expected to secure a leading position in the air suspension market due to the need for improved ride quality in specialized applications such as refrigerated trucks and the delivery of sensitive commodities. Asia Pacific is witnessing substantial economic growth in this segment, especially in China and India, due to rising demand for trucks and other commercial vehicles. Domestic manufacturers have begun using air suspension systems in their models, subject to stringent environmental laws and high consumer demand for ride comfort. This, in turn, propels the air springs market for trucks in the region.

Asia Pacific to surpass other regions

Asia Pacific is a prominent market in the global automotive industry, accounting for over 40% of the world’s truck and bus production. This output is further complemented by the OEMs’ increasing tendency to incorporate air suspension systems into high-end trucks and buses to meet the rising demand in this segment. The region has also seen a surge in the sales of luxury passenger cars and premium SUVs, attributed to the growing purchasing power of consumers. This shift in consumer preference toward more luxurious vehicles necessitates a smoother ride, prompting OEMs to more frequently adopt air suspension systems in the luxury and SUV segments.

Key countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea dominate the region’s car ownership landscape, significantly influencing the market dynamics. China, with its vast population, has a high demand for passenger cars, keeping it at the forefront of the market. Meanwhile, India is experiencing rapid growth in the air suspension control system market, propelled by the increasing demand for passenger cars and a preference for personal mobility. The substantial public transport network in India, especially in its larger cities, is driving the need for a more comfortable ride experience, further boosting the air suspension market’s growth.

To capitalize on this growing market, global suppliers are keen to strengthen their presence in the Asia Pacific region. For example, Wabco (US) signed a long-term agreement with Hyundai Motor Company (South Korea). Under this agreement, Wabco will supply a wide range of its advanced technologies, including electronically controlled air suspension systems and air processing units, to Hyundai’s new medium-duty trucks. Such initiatives from regional OEMs are poised to create lucrative business opportunities for air suspension manufacturers, particularly in the trucks segment.

Asia pacific: air suspension market snapshot

Key Players

Prominent players in the air suspension market are ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany), ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany), Continental AG (Germany), Cummins-Meritor Inc. (US), and SAF Holland (Germany). These players have adopted various strategies, such as product launches/developments, partnerships, agreements, and expansions, to strengthen their position in the market.

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Scope of the Report

Along with the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations in accordance with the company’s specific needs.

The study segments the Air Suspension system market:

OE Market, by Component

• Air springs
• Shock Absorbers
• Air Compressors
• Electronic Control Units
• Air Reservoirs
• Height Sensors
• Solenoid Valves
• Pressure Sensors

OE Market, by Technology

• Electronically-controlled
• Non-Electronically controlled

OE Market, By Vehicle Type

• Passenger Cars
• LCVs
• Buses
• Trucks

Cabin Air Suspension Market,  by vehicle type

• Sem-Trailers
• Rigid Truck
• Aftermarket, By Component
• Air Bellows
• Shock Absorbers  bushes

Electric & Hybrid HDVs Air Suspension Market, By Vehicle Type

• LDVs
• Buses
• Trucks

Electric & Hybrid HDVs Air Suspension Market, by Technology

• Electronically-controlled
• Non-Electronically controlled

By Region

• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Europe
• Rest of the World [RoW]

Recent Developments

• In March 2024, Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. introduced ROADMAAX Z, its lightest rear air suspension with a 46,000-lb. capacity. This system offers excellent performance on- and off-highway, as well as quality ride and cargo protection, and is approved for use with lift axles and for up to 25% of off-highway operations. ROADMAAX Z features patented Zero Maintenance Damping (ZMD) technology, ensuring a consistent ride throughout the air spring’s lifespan, thus setting a new standard for heavy-duty drive axle air suspension systems.
• In July 2023, Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. launched its air and mechanical suspensions and axles for trailer applications in India. The products include the Hendrickson Severe Duty Suspension (HSDS) premium suspension, which is available in capacities ranging from 12T to 14T for the Indian market. The HSDS system incorporates a tire inflation and deflation system (Tiremaax Pro) and patented Tri-functional bushings.
• In November 2022, ZF Aftermarket, a division of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, unveiled its new line of air springs of superior Sachs quality. As vehicle air suspension systems become more advanced and complex, repair work on air suspensions presents a fresh challenge for automotive workshops. ZF’s product experts have now made air spring replacement hassle-free for workshops with this new range. Alongside model-specific service information, special training courses on air suspension will also be available.
• In June 2022, Cummins-Meritor, Inc. introduced the ProTec Independent Front Suspension (IFS) for motorcoach applications. The new IFS MIS-20E is the first suspension specifically designed to meet the demands of large load carrying and ride quality in motor coaches. This solution is the first fully integrated suspension and steering system offered by the firm as a drop-in replacement for bus and coach makers.
• In March 2021, ThyssenKrupp AG launched a new production line for dampers at the company’s automotive facility in Changzhou. The new plant now manufactures electronically adjustable damping systems. These semi-active dampers use sensors to detect vibrations during travel, analyzing driving conditions and the vehicle’s status.

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