Automotive Seats Market

[340 Pages Report] The global automotive seat market is estimated to grow from USD 53.7 billion in 2023 to USD 58.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 1.2% over the forecast period. The increasing stringency in safety regulations and industry standards, demand for quality, advanced features and cost-effectiveness, innovations & customization options in the seating segment, and increasing focus on electric vehicles are driving the automotive seats market. Asia Pacific and the Americas will remain the top regional market for this product.

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Market Dynamics

DRIVER: Rising demand for powered seats in mid-segment cars & SUVs

Powered seats are often seen as a luxury feature, and they can add to the overall appeal of a mid-segment car. As technology advances, this feature is becoming more affordable in terms of cost, so it has a higher reach with a broader range of customers. For instance, SUVs are becoming increasingly popular, and many vehicles have powered seats. This drives the demand for powered seats in the mid-segment car market, as many buyers are looking for SUVs with the same level of comfort and luxury as a premium car. According to the MarketsandMarkets analysis, the global market for SUVs is projected to grow from USD 949.3 billion in 2023 to USD 1,221.7 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 6.6% in terms of value.

Carpooling and sharing is growing rapidly, which has led to an increase in demand for cars, which is easy to get in and out of the cars. Powered seats can make it easier for people with disabilities or limited mobility to get in and out of a vehicle, which is why they are becoming increasingly popular among car-sharing companies. According to the demand for carpooling and car sharing, car seat manufacturers are developing and offering seats that cater to the unique requirements of carpooling and car-sharing services, ultimately driving the evolution of the automotive seating market.

RESTRAINT: High cost of advanced modular seats compared to conventional seats

Modular seats comprise several components that need to be assembled, which adds to the cost. These modular seats are often used with advanced materials, and manufacturing processes add cost. This high cost of modular automotive seats challenges OEMs as they need to balance the cost of modular seats with their benefits, such as increased flexibility, customization, and weight savings. The major features, such as powered, heated, and ventilated applications, are now being offered commercially in most vehicles, and massage seats are an option in high-end vehicles. For instance, for massage seats, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, and Cadillac. The top-end variants and premium passenger cars offer memory seats as a standard feature in developing countries.

Standard seats are commonly offered in the A, B, and C segment cars, which comprise compact and inexpensive cars. Heated seats, offered in most D, E, and F models, are more prevalent in the developed nations of North America and Europe. Ventilated seats are an option for various high-end car classes, including E, F, SUV-D, and SUV E. They are also an option for the back seats. Only a few high-end automakers, like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Jaguar, offer massage seats in their models. Most medium and premium passenger car models in developed nations have memory seats as standard equipment. Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, and other automobile manufacturers offer memory seats for the driver. The economic segment rules the market, especially in underdeveloped countries. As a result, the market for modular seats might suffer.

OPPORTUNITY: Growing focus on autonomous cars and increasing preference for ride sharing

With the advancement of automated driving, the automotive industry is focused on research and development with driver assistance technologies. Furthermore, autonomous vehicles are less likely to be involved in accidents. Still, the OEMs offer more safety features and components in the automotive seats of a vehicle such as airbags, seatbelts, and headrests that can better protect passengers in the event of an accident. According to a study by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute (VTPI), more than 70% of fully autonomous vehicles will be used for ride-sharing, with only 30% likely to be privately owned.

In IAS L4 & L5 autonomous vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced by various interiors more focused on the passenger and requiring little to no driver input. The durability of seats will be important as car sharing grows in popularity. Privacy will be crucial when several commuters are in the same car simultaneously. This will lead to adopting multizone climate control or separate listening zones with speakers mounted to each headrest. Seats must be secure and comfy and have the most recent technological features. Seat makers will be forced to invent or acquire new, appealing products that leverage emerging technology due to OEM and consumer preferences. For instance, Lear Corporation Intu™ Intelligent Seating System uses various sensors to monitor the driver's or passenger's body position, including seat pressure, respiration, and heart rate sensors. The system uses this data to adjust the seat for optimal comfort and support. For example, if the driver is sitting in a slumped position, the system automatically adjusts the seat back to a more upright position.

CHALLENGE: Challenges faced by textile & seat trim material suppliers

The interiors of automobiles frequently feature textiles and trim materials, which can be used in many applications. Polyamide, rayons, and polypropylene, which have a polyester foundation, make polyester fabrics. Alternative materials like nonwoven polyesters are also being considered to replace foam in body fabric and car interiors instead of laminate composites. These accessories lighten the entire seat while enhancing comfort. The fabric is mainly used throughout the vehicle's interior, and the upholstery or body cloth is mostly used in vehicle seats. Each car uses 9 billion yards of cloth, or 100 yards on average, for seat interiors. Almost two-thirds of the textiles used in cars are found in the interior trim, including seat covers, carpets, roofs, and door liners. The remaining material is employed to strengthen tires, hoses, airbags, safety belts, and other parts. According to Automotive World magazine observations, the fabrics required to upholster a standard car's interior, including the seat coverings, weigh roughly 30 kg (651 lbs). According to forecasts, demand for polyester fabrics as seat trim material will increase. The rise in demand for fabrics and trim materials is fueling competition in these businesses.

OEMs and Tier-I suppliers frequently launch new seat designs to satisfy consumer demand. These unique shapes can call for using cutting-edge trim materials and building methods. As a result, the providers of trim materials put forth endless effort to meet the requirements of OEM and seat suppliers.

Automotive Seats Market Ecosystem.

The major OEMs of the automotive seats market have the latest technologies, diversified portfolios, and strong distribution networks globally. The major players in the automotive seat market are Adient Plc (US), Faurecia (France), Lear Corporation (US), Toyota Boshoku Corporation (Japan), and Magna International (Canada).

Powered seat technology has the highest market in the Asia Pacific region

Powered seats can be adjusted with a button, making it easy to find a comfortable position. This is especially helpful for people with limited mobility or back pain. It can be customized to fit the individual needs of the driver or passenger. These powered seats often have additional advanced features such as memory settings, heated and ventilated options, massage functions, and integrated lumbar support. Furthermore, technological advancements and the decreasing cost of powered seat systems have played a crucial role in their wider adoption.

Powered seats have become increasingly popular in the SUV market in the Asia Pacific area. SUVs are becoming increasingly popular with consumers because of their roominess, adaptability, and capacity to travel through various terrains. SUVs often come equipped with powered seats, which raises the level of comfort and luxury in these vehicles overall. Additionally, cost reductions from economies of scale and improved manufacturing techniques have increased the affordability of powered seats for consumers. According to MarketsandMarkets analysis, the Asia Pacific region has the highest market share, accounting for about ~47% of powered seats, and is growing gradually due to increasing demand for premium and luxurious vehicles. The Asia Pacific market for passenger vehicles and SUVs is expanding significantly, which will cause the need for powered seats to rise. This will create profitable prospects for regional automakers and suppliers.

Synthetic leather will dominate the automotive seat trim material market

Synthetic leather gives a luxurious appeal and provides more comfort than traditional leather, so it is used mainly in mid-segment to high-variant vehicles. According to MarketsandMarkets analysis, synthetic leather contributes to ~56% of the seat trim material market, and the Asia Pacific region has the highest market share. This leather gives more personalized and customizable options, fulfilling the demand for unique and stylish interiors in automotive vehicles.

OEMs are focused on the used and recycled materials in vehicle trim, and synthetic leather can be made from used & recycled materials. Numerous OEMs are developing sustainable materials for the automotive industry. For instance, Toray showcased their new synthetic leather made from recycled plastics and named it "Eco-Leather" in February 2022, less costly than traditional leather. On the same, DuPont also introduced a new synthetic leather generated from the plant-based components named "Sorona Performance Leather" in 2021. Some key players for the synthetic leathers are Covestro Ag (Germany), Asahi Keasei (Japan), and JSR Corporation (Japan). The demand from the automotive industry will continue to grow with the upcoming EV and Hybrid vehicles trend.

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region for the side curtain airbags market

Side curtain airbags are safety features that can help to protect passengers in the event of a side impact or rollover. Due to rising traffic accidents and increased government mandates, the demand for safety features like side curtain airbags has been made compulsory in this region. According to MarketsandMarkets analysis, the side curtain airbags market is the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 17.7% from 2023 to 2030, and it holds the largest market share of ~41% in terms of value in component type. In 2020, new regulations were assigned by the governing body for side curtain airbags to increase safety. For instance, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a notification in 2020 making side curtain airbags compulsory for all passenger cars, vans, and SUVs manufactured after October 1, 2022. The regulation also states that all new cars manufactured after October 1, 2023, must have a minimum of six airbags, including two side airbags and two curtain airbags.

Furthermore, the countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have also started installing side and curtain airbags in all passenger cars to increase safety. Side curtain airbags are typically installed in the seats of vehicles. As a result, the increasing demand for side curtain airbags is expected to drive the demand for the side curtain airbag equipped seats.

The OEM has the highest market in seat trim by sales channel market.

OEM sales channel focuses on supplying seat trims to automotive manufacturers to ensure consistency in quality and design for mass-produced vehicles. The OEM sales channel involves the direct supply of automotive seat trims to original equipment manufacturers. OEMs directly install the seat trims during the production process. The OEM sales channel operates through contracts and agreements between seat trim manufacturers and automotive OEMs. These manufacturers typically produce seat trims in large quantities and deliver them directly to the OEM assembly lines for installation during vehicle production. Each vehicle model's requirements and specifications are considered in the design and production of these seat trims. According to MarketsandMarkets analysis, the OEM sales channel will grow at a CAGR of 2.4%.

Also, the Asia Pacific region has the highest market share of 59% in the year 2023 for OEM sales channels, according to MarketsandMarkets analysis. This region has the highest number of OEMs and key players, which has boosted the sales of seat trim material for OEMs. For example, OEMs like Toyota (Japan), Nissan (Japan), Hyundai Motors (South Korea), and Tata (India), etc., and seat trim manufacturers such as Suminoe Textile / Suminoe Teijin Techno (Japan) and TB Kawashima (Japan). All these players have the highest sales for passenger cars and SUVs due to a rise in customer demand, which has increased the OE sales for the automotive seat trim market. 

Key Market Players

The automotive seat market is consolidated with the players such as Adient Plc (US), Faurecia (France), Lear Corporation (US), Toyota Boshoku Corporation (Japan), and Magna International (Canada) are the key companies operating in the automotive seats manufacturing. These companies adopted new product launches, partnerships, and joint ventures to gain traction in the seat market.

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Scope of the Report

Recent Developments

• In April 2023, Faurecia announced the development of its Zero-Gravity Captain Chair, a rear passenger seating solution that delivers advanced well-being tailored for the Chinese market. Inspired by NASA’s space exploration, the seat can be set to a “zero gravity” position, which reclines it to an almost flat angle.
• In April 2023, Faurecia introduced the new “Skin Light Panel” that offers weight reduction, extra room for rear passengers, improved recyclability, and cost savings. This new Skin Light Panel also delivers perfect integration into the complete seat, including rear airbag management. The seating panel has a smooth finish, high-performance scratch-resistance material, and life-long durability.
• Lear Corporation has announced the strategic acquisition of InTouch Automation, a supplier of Industry 4.0 technologies and complex automated testing equipment critical in producing automotive seats. InTouch’s product portfolio allows Lear Corporation to collect and analyze real-time data while standardizing testing procedures throughout its just-in-time (JIT) seating production process.
• In October 2022, Lear Corporation announced that the company's premium and fully recyclable ReNewKnit sueded material will launch in seating and door panel applications with a global automaker in 2024. ReNewKnit is a Lear Corporation exclusive, first-to-market automotive textile that is fully recyclable at its end of life. ReNewKnit will strengthen the company's sustainable solutions technology portfolio while supporting our carbon reduction goals.
• In April 2022, Toyota Boshoku developed an IoT (Internet of Things) seat cover equipped with a system that assesses the driver’s fatigue and mitigates sleepiness during driving and started a demonstration test for transport companies.

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