Automotive Brake System Market Report

Electronic braking systems, such as anti-lock braking systems, brake assist, and electronic brake force distribution, play an important role in reducing stopping distances. Anti-lock braking system improves vehicle stability and control, outperforming traditional brakes in intense braking scenarios. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the anti-lock braking system ensures the shortest stopping distance possible. Brake assist, linked to an antilock braking system, can decrease stopping distances by 45%. The adoption of anti-lock braking systems and brake assist is expected to rise due to safety regulations. Electronic brakeforce distribution, an extension of the anti-lock data system of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, shows that the demand for passenger cars has grown in the year 2023 compared to 2022, as the sales for passenger cars in 2022 were recorded at 58.6 million and rose to 65.2 million in 2023.

The braking system provides balanced force distribution to each wheel, enhancing stability, reducing stopping distance, improving traction, and optimizing braking efficiency. Also, the demand for automotive brake systems is expected to rise with the rising sales of passenger cars. As per the data of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, the demand for passenger cars has grown in the year 2023 compared to 2022, as the sales for passenger cars in 2022 were recorded at 58.6 million and rose to 65.2 million in 2023. Thus, the rising sale of global passenger cars is directly expected to boost the demand for the automotive brake system market.

Freezing of air brakes is a common issue in heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and trailers due to moisture in brake lines. This problem is mostly appearing in winter and requires extensive efforts to resolve. In vehicles with anti-lock brake systems, moisture can cause valves to trap moisture and freeze, leading to brake breakdowns. Managing moisture in trailer brake lines is crucial, especially with stability control. Air brake freeze-ups are a significant challenge in regions like Europe and North America. The high costs of advanced braking technology pose a significant challenge. Regular maintenance of brake systems involves replacing various components such as brake fluid, pads, shoes, and rotors, which can be expensive.

Additionally, maintaining an anti-lock brake system (ABS) includes costly sensor replacements. Repairing crucial components like master cylinders, calipers, and drums can amount to significant expenses. These financial considerations, along with additional maintenance costs, hinder the widespread adoption of advanced braking systems. For example, ABS sensor replacement can cost between USD 150 and USD 400, brake fluid replacement between USD 90 and USD 200, and overall component replacement around USD 750 to USD 1,000.

In November 2023, at its Next Generation Mobility Day in Shanghai, ZF presented a new, purely electro-mechanical brake system for the first time. Braking force was generated at each wheel by an electric motor, i.e. without a hydraulic system and brake fluid. The brake system had been developed at ZF's development centers in China, the USA, and Germany for the global market. In October 2023, Brembo, the leading company in the development and production of high-performance braking systems, announced its go-to-market of the new Brembo Beyond Greenance Kit, an eco-friendly brake solution, currently specifically engineered for light commercial vehicles. It matched both customer expectations and environmental awareness to contribute to a sustainable and greener world, without compromising on the top braking performance expected from Brembo products. The Greenance Kit was the perfect combination of performance and durability, ensuring a much lower environmental impact during braking, with a significant reduction in particulate emissions: -83% in PM101 and -80% in PM2.5. 

Asia Pacific can be considered a lucrative market due to the rising production of cars and commercial vehicles. Various countries of Asia Pacific are becoming major automotive hubs, driven by both local consumption and export opportunities. According to the report of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, out of the top five global vehicle manufacturers, four are Asia Pacific countries. As per the data in 2023, China tops the list of global production of cars and commercial vehicles and has combined produced 30 million units, followed by Japan, which holds the third rank and annually produces 8.9 million units. India held the fourth rank and produced a total of 5.8 million units, while South Korea secured the fifth rank and produced 4.2 million units. This makes the Asia-Pacific region promising for the automotive brake system market. North America as well as the European Union can also be considered a lucrative market, as government regulations of the United States and the European Union are expected to drive the growth of the automotive brake system market by mandating the addition of automatic emergency braking (AEB) in new vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) in the US and the EU's General Safety Regulation (GSR) are implementing rules to improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by delayed braking responses, pushing automakers to integrate advanced braking technologies.