14 DAY TRIAL // China seems to be behind the times in some way, partly because of strict internal policies and partly because its industrial evolution has been mostly focused on other things. Right now, we can say for sure that the automotive chip market is set to grow.
According to IHS iSuppli analysts, the market for chips used in cars will grow in that particular country by year's end.
Which is to say, compared to 2012, the sales of semiconductors used in cars and car entertainment systems will be 10% higher.
That will put revenues at $4.1 billion / €3.04 billion, versus last year's $3.8 billion / €2.8 billion. In those terms, that's a lot of money.
And that's not even the end of it. Over the next four years, the analysts predict a further rise, to $6.1 billion /€4.52 billion in 2017.
The increasing sales of light vehicles will play an essential role in this turn of events, especially now that infotainment is picking up speed.
With the decrease in demand for PCs of all kind, the industry is focusing more on mobile and other alternative, which automotive technology happens to be.
Sure, eventually, demand will slow back down, but that will only happen when stricter policies begin to be enforced over the next half a decade.
Until then, makers of microprocessors, sensors, semiconductors related to the powertrain, pretty much everything will be up to inventors to decide.
Considering that, it's not a surprise that inventors and researchers would hurry up with their projects now. Once the government gets around to imposing policies for vehicle emissions, fuel efficiency and upgraded safety, regulations will crack down on their creativity.
Still, applications that enhance driving experience will keep coming. China will just have to make sure the infrastructure supports the rising number of vehicles and associated goods. No pressure there.