Automotive Acoustic Engineering Services Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By System Type (Physical Testing, Virtual Testing), By Application Type (Interior, Drivetrain, Powertrain, Body, and Others), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2032

The global automotive acoustic engineering services market size was valued at USD 14.24 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 76.2 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15% during the forecast period.  The Europe dominated the Automotive Acoustic Engineering Services Market with a share of 47.96% in 2019. The market is growing with the increasing demand for noise reduction in vehicles, stringent regulations, and focus on enhancing passenger comfort.

The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering with automotive acoustic engineering services witnessing a negative demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over. Based on our analysis, the global market will exhibit a huge decline of -27.68% in 2020. In 2019, the global automotive acoustic engineering services market was valuec USD 14.24 billion.

Acoustic engineering services are defined as the process of eliminating noise from different vehicle components, the extent of which does not affect the external and internal environment of the vehicle. A vehicle consists of various components such as electric motors, engines, etc., that produce unwanted noise and create noise pollution. This unwanted noise is, in turn, controlled by the acoustics engineering services. Various automotive manufacturers around the world have started to adopt acoustic testing equipment to manufacture noiseless vehicles and strengthen their market positions. In addition to this, with the introduction of advanced vehicles worldwide, many software-based noise reduction technologies have been introduced, which is expected to boost the growth of the market.

COVID-19 Impact: Prolonged Nationwide Lockdown is Hampering Market Growth Owing to Suspended Manufacturing Activities

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the growth of the acoustic engineering market. The pandemic has severely hindered the global automotive industry. In the context of a sharp decline in auto production and sales, the auto industry is facing an upsurge. Continued nationwide lockdown in several countries has affected cross-border trade and caused raw material prices to rise. As the number of COVID-19 patients increases every day, major global OEMs have stopped production. Due to the suspension of production and research activities, major manufacturers are facing huge financial losses. For example, in March 2020, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) stated that the shutdown of the automotive industry has led to a loss of around USD 314.6 million turnovers per day.

LATEST TRENDS

Increasing Trend of Engine Downsizing to Favor Market Growth

Engine downsizing is to equip a smaller and lighter engine in a vehicle that provides the power of a large engine with equal or higher efficiency. Engine downsizing is done by installing forced aspiration components such as superchargers or turbochargers which would replace the number of cylinders in the engine and by reducing engine displacement. The low number of cylinders and displacement causes fluctuating speed and high vibrations, which in turn reduce the sound quality of the vehicle. Thus, the increasing trend of engine downsizing is expected to positively affect the market growth.

DRIVING FACTORS 

Stringent Noise Reduction Norms Imposed by Government to Propel Acoustics Engineering Services Growth

Noise is one of the most common environmental problems in our society. Automobiles hold one of the major shares of air and noise pollution in the world. Vehicles, when equipped with various mechanical components such as the engine and powertrain components, produce more noise as they have numerous moving parts installed. For example, the internal combustion engine (ICE) produces more noise as it has a lot of mechanical components without which the combustion process cannot be completed. This constant noise produced by the car distracts the driver and may cause an accident.

In order to curb the rising noise pollution, the government in various regions has imposed stringent norms on automotive manufacturers to manufacture less noisy vehicles. For example, in April 2012, the European Commission proposed new noise emission limits for automobiles. Under this proposal, the commission is anticipated to reduce the noise emission of cars by 4 decibels and of huge lorries by 3 decibels in two steps between 2014 and 2017. Additionally, new cars manufactured from 2019 should have a maximum of 68 decibels and 78 decibels for lorries. 

Increasing Customer Preference for Comfortable Cabin to Drive Market Growth

Recently, there has been a huge demand for the safety and comfort of the vehicle cabin. The rising inclination of consumers towards luxury features such as ambient lighting, infotainment, sunroof, and massage seats, etc., has fueled the demand for passenger cars. On the other hand, installation of these features has led to structural and airborne noise, which is leading to an increased demand for acoustics engineering services in the automotive sector. The increasing demand for physical and virtual testing of doors, sunroof, infotainment, etc., in vehicles is creating great opportunities for the market. For instance, Hyundai Motor Group launched the world’s first lightweight Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system to achieve noiseless driving. The system actively controls the noise by producing sound waves that are opposite to incident noise.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Rental Cost of Acoustics Engineering Equipment to Restrain Market Growth

In recent years, various acoustics engineering service providers have been inclined towards renting testing equipment or use rented equipment to test their vehicle as this setup is highly expensive. Each component requires different and various testing equipment, which needs to be tested under different load and temperature conditions. It becomes very difficult for mid and small-scale companies to buy and keep this equipment owing to its high cost and complex maintenance.

SEGMENTATION

By System Type Analysis

 Virtual Acoustics Testing Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market

Based on the system type the global market is segmented into physical acoustics testing and virtual acoustics testing.                

In recent years it has become necessary for the automotive industry to reduce the development cost of the vehicle without hampering its performance such as safety and comfort. This can only be achieved with the help of virtual acoustics testing as it is cost-effective compared to physical testing.

Also, in this type of testing, mathematical models and software are used to perform various tests that replicate the real scenario of the vehicle and detect noise and vibrations in the vehicle. Virtual testing helps to reduce the research and development of the vehicle as it quickly and precisely detects the fault in the vehicle. As it is software, it does not have limitations similar to the physical testing and hence it gives precise results.

The physical testing segment is expected to showcase considerable growth in the market during the forecast period. Few components of the vehicle do not require a controlled atmosphere for testing, thereby, for such components, tests can be performed in atmospheric conditions that are budget-friendly compared to virtual testing.

By Application Type Analysis

Interior type Segment is Expected to Hold Largest Market Share

Based on the application the market is segmented into interior, drivetrain, powertrain, body, and others.

The interior segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period amid the growing demand for comfortable, safe, and noiseless vehicle cabins.

Acoustic engineering service providers perform virtual and physical testing of all components/systems and enhance the acoustic performance of the interior cabin. Therefore, the increasingly stringent safety regulations for occupants and vehicles, along with the deployment of technologically advanced features are expected to fuel the demand for new components in the cabin. This is likely to lead to complexities in the interior cabin while emphasizing the need to improve the acoustic performance of internal components and the safety of the occupants. For example, Bose invented a noise cancellation system to achieve reduced cabin noise in cars. The company unveiled a highly targeted technology that uses a combination of algorithms, microphones, accelerometers, and signal processing software that controls the noise at different conditions as well as automatically adjusts the noise range that will lead to enhanced cabin comfort, as the car ages over time.

The powertrain segment is expected to hold the second-largest position in the market. Powertrain components cause a large amount of noise pollution and create disturbance to the driver and occupants. Key OEMs are focusing to develop a technologically advanced hybrid or completely electric powertrain which is noiseless compared to the conventional drivetrain. OEMs have become successful to develop electric vehicle powertrain which generates less noise compared to conventional vehicles. The components in electric vehicles that are used to convert AC to DC generate noise which can be clearly heard inside and outside the car. In order to make the powertrain more silent and refined, there is a growing need for automotive acoustics engineering services.

By Vehicle Type Analysis

Passenger Car Segment is Expected to Remain Dominant

Based on the vehicle type, the market is segmented into passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The passenger car segment holds the largest share of the global automotive acoustics market. The rising demand for alternative powertrain in passenger cars is fueling its demand during the forecast period. The alternative powertrain includes new components that add up to the new noise sources, such as tires, HVAC, batteries, electric motors, and several other low decibels noise from squeaks, creaks, wind, acoustics, wind, and brakes from vehicles that need to be controlled and identified with the help of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) test. For example, according to the NHTSA law issued in January 2013, when driving at a speed of 30 kmph, the minimum external sound requirements for electric and hybrid vehicles must be between 63.8 to 68.9 dB(A).

The commercial vehicle segment is expected to showcase significant growth in the market during the forecast period. The rising demand for autonomous and noiseless vehicles is expected to boost the demand for automotive acoustics engineering services across commercial vehicles globally.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Europe is Expected to Hold Largest Market Share amid Presence of Major Key Players

Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

Europe is anticipated to dominate the global market amid the early adoption of advanced technologies in this region. The key players such as BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen are focusing to manufacture noiseless vehicles to meet the rising consumer demand. Key players are also focusing to offer physical and virtual testing to meet the requirement of OEMs in the region. For example, Bosch, one of the major engineering service providers, established a new factory in Abstatt, Germany in April 2019. The testing plant is semi-anechoic, soundproof, and isolated from the outer world in order to provide an effective means to test and compare new or modified components and calibrations under uniform conditions and consider their impact on the entire vehicle. This reduces the cost and time involved in designing new car audio and optimizing old car audio.

Asia Pacific is expected to experience considerable growth in the market. The increasing disposable income of consumers and noise reduction norms imposed by the government bodies in the region is fueling the need for advanced automotive acoustics engineering services.

The market in North America is expected to grow considerably owing to the consistent developments in autonomous vehicles and battery electric vehicle technology, which are essentially noiseless.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Autoneum Holding AG is a Key Player in the Acoustics Engineering Services Market

Autoneum Holding AG is a Swiss company dedicated to providing acoustic and thermal management solutions for automobiles. It provides solutions to reduce noise and heat management for manufacturers of light vehicles and heavy trucks. The company's business covers Europe and North America, South America, and Asia (except Japan). It operates through its unlisted affiliates or is represented by its joint ventures and licensees. In 2014, Autoneum launched the Environment Health & Safety Management System (MEHS) policy in order to execute Environment Health Safety (EHS) standard in all Autoneum locations worldwide. The MEHS policy is based on national and international laws and regulations to meet the EHS standard ISO 14001. Acquiring prestigious certifications and increasing partnerships with key players to develop advanced products is strengthening the company’s global market position.

LIST OF KEY PLAYERS PROFILES:

• Autoneum (‎Zurich, Switzerland)


• Schaeffler (Werdohl, Germany)


• HEAD acoustics GmbH  (Herzogenrath, Germany)


• FEV Group Gmbh (Aachen, Germany)


• AVL List GmbH (Graz, Austria)


• Siemens Industry Software Inc (Texas, United States)


• Bertrandt (Ehningen, Germany)


• Brüel & Kjær (Nærum, Denmark)


• EDAG Engineering GmbH (Wiesbaden, Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• September 2020: FEV Group opened a high-voltage battery development center in Sandersdorf-Brehna. It is one of the world's largest development centers for high-voltage batteries for passenger and commercial vehicles. This development center is expected to save the cost of consumers, as various performance and electrical tests are conducted under one roof. This test center has the capacity to a mechanical and environmental impact on battery cells and other battery components such as inverters and onboard chargers.

REPORT COVERAGE

The automotive acoustics engineering services market report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product types, and leading applications of the product. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation