Business Wire, Dec 22, 2006
DUBLIN, Ireland — Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c47523) has announced the addition of Automotive Leather in Europe 2007 to their offering.
The specification of leather is being used more and more by car manufacturers in Europe to add luxury and differentiation to their vehicle interiors. Traditional users in the luxury and specialist car segments like BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are being joined by volume car manufacturers in specifying the material with the result that usage is spreading noticeably throughout model ranges.
At the same time players in the leather supply chain – including tanners, cut and sew operators, process chemical and coating manufacturers, first tier system suppliers – are facing up to a wide range of challenges posed by the automotive industry’s current development. For example, vehicle manufacturers are looking to achieve significant savings in their sourcing costs for materials and systems, thereby increasing pressure on their leather suppliers and, in some cases, compromising quality.
These developments pose a number of interesting questions including:
* How rapid will be the roll-out of leather among volume car producers?
* How far down the model ranges will fitment go, and what will be the balance between leather’s availability as an option or standard?
* What, if anything, will the luxury car producers do in order to maintain the exclusivity of leather in their vehicles?
* What are the implications of greater leather consumption on prices, quality and sources of supply?
* Will the attempts of Chinese leather suppliers to enter Western markets be successful and what is the future of South American supplies?
* Will the greater use of leather provide a spur to the use of other leather competing materials like Alcantara?
* To what extent will environmental issues influence leather
These issues and many more are covered in Automotive Leather 2007 – a research-based multi-client study which specialises in the automotive interiors sector and has conducted a number of projects on the global automotive leather industry. In addition the report contains data on current and forecast leather fitment and analyses the latest trends and developments in this increasingly important interiors material sector.
The study will be made available at two levels according to the depth of data analysis required.
Topics Covered
Level 1
Introduction
Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 1
Market Analysis – Seating
The fitment of leather in automotive seating applications among vehicle producers with European assembly facilities
Current and forecast (to 2010) by make and segment
An assessment of the European experience in the global context with particular reference to leather fitment in North America, Japan, South Korea and China.
Chapter 2
Market Analysis – Other Product Groups
An indication of the use of leather in non-seating applications
* Interior trim
* Gearshift gaiters
* Steering wheels
* Door panels
* Instrument panels
Chapter 3
Determinants of Choice
The factors which determine leather specification and the role of vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers in setting the standards
Includes a review of how these choice priorities vary according to manufacturer and vehicle segment.
* Quality
* Price
* Availability
Chapter 4
Leather Developments 2006
A round-up of the main developments affecting the size, structure and profitability of the worldwide automotive leather supply sector during the past year
Includes an examination of the developing role of low cost suppliers and the shift of cutting and sewing operation from high cost Western countries to lower cost regions.
Chapter 5
Competitors to Leather
A review of current and emerging materials which have the potential to influence the future usage of leather
Chapter 6
Concept Cars
The use of leather in the latest concept vehicles
Chapter 7
Industry Interviews
The findings of in-depth discussions with a range of players in the leather sector including vehicle manufacturers, seat suppliers, leather producers and processing equipment manufacturers
Chapter 8
Company Profiles
Profiles of the leading leather suppliers and processors
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c47523.
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