Automotive Transistor Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Architecture Type (Negative-Positive-Negative (NPN) and Positive-Negative-Positive (PNP)), By Application Type (Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global automotive transistor market size was valued at USD 4.90 billion  in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 5.07 billion  in 2023 to USD 6.90 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.50% during the forecast period.

A transistor is a semiconductor device that switches or amplifies electrical signals or energy. Additionally, transistors use electricity to amplify and switch electronic signals. It helps to control the current drawn from the circuit board precisely. Vehicle architecture has grown rapidly in recent years, and more and more vehicles are equipped with in-vehicle networks that require highly reliable voltage regulators and power diodes.

Field-Effect Transistors (FETs) and Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT) are two types of transistors. FETs have three terminals which are called gate, source, and drain. These are operated by applying an electric field to control the flow of charge carriers in the semiconductor channel. FETs are most commonly used in high-power applications in automotive systems, such as power inverters and engine control units. BJTs have three layers of semiconductor material (P-N-P or N-P-N) and are most commonly used for low-power applications. They are used for signal amplifications or as switches, allowing or blocking current flow. Transistors are crucial components in various automotive systems, such as ECUs, power electronics, lighting systems, ABS (Anti-Lock-Braking System), climate control systems, and entertainment systems.

Growing technological advancements in AI and machine learning and increasing focus on autonomous applications drive automotive transistor market growth. Additionally, increasing sales of electric vehicles across the globe is another reason fueling the market's growth over the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Supply Chain and Travel Restrictions During Pandemic Hindered Market Growth

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the global automotive industry. Various governments globally imposed nationwide lockdown measures to mitigate  the spread of the virus. In late 2020, the stringent restrictions imposed during the pandemic sharply declined vehicle sales. For example, Toshiba's sales fell from USD 33.893 billion in 2019 to USD 31.412 billion in 2020. Additionally, nationwide lockdowns significantly disrupted supply chains due to global trade restrictions and reduced commodity consumption. These factors have significantly impacted the global demand for system.

In late 2021, major players globally resumed manufacturing activities, with 50% of their total workforce mobilized while adhering to appropriate social distancing norms to prevent the spread of the virus. Various countries globally  launched mass vaccination campaigns to curb the spread of the virus. These factors led to a gradual increase in automobile demand, boosting the demand for the component during the projected  period.

LATEST TRENDS

Increasing Adoption of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors, such as  Silicon Carbide and  Gallium Nitride (GAN)

Wide bandgap semiconductors offers several advantages over traditional silicon-based transistors. SiC and GaN have lower conduction and switching losses, resulting in higher energy efficiency. This efficiency improvement led to an extended driving range in electric vehicles and reduced fuel consumption in internal combustion engine vehicles. The Wide Bandgap semiconductors have the potential to handle higher operating temperatures compared to silicon transistors, enabling automotive systems to operate in harsh conditions without compromising performance. Owing to their compact size, the SiC and GaN transistors can handle higher voltage and current, compared to traditional silicon transistors. And also their advance designing contribute to space-saving and fit with lightweight vehicles.

These semiconductors have faster-switching characteristics, allowing for more precise power electronics control in automotive systems like motor drivers and inverters. Due to their high efficiency and improved thermal properties, SiC and GaN transistors may require less cooling, reducing the cooling system's complexity and cost. Automotive and semiconductor manufacturers are focused on continuous research and development of wide bandgap semiconductors to improve their performance and reduce costs. As the technology matures and becomes more economically viable, integrating SiC and GaN transistors are expected to grow in automotive applications, leading to more energy-efficient and high-performance vehicles over the forecast period. This is one of the latest market trends in this market.

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DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Electrification in Vehicles to Drive the Market Growth

One of the significant driving factors for increasing the demand for transistors is the electrification of vehicles. As the automotive industry moves towards more electric and hybrid vehicles, the demand for advanced power electronics and semiconductor components, including transistors, has risen exponentially. Electric vehicles rely on Battery Management Systems (BMS) to monitor, manage, and optimize battery performance. Transistors are used in BMS to control charging and discharging current, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the battery pack. For instance, SiC transistors are used in the BMS of electric vehicles to handle high voltage and current levels with reduced power losses, leading to improved battery efficiency and longer range.

Advancements in Autonomous Driving and Safety Systems will Boost Market Growth

The rise of autonomous driving and advanced vehicle safety systems is also driving the growth of the market. These systems rely heavily on sensors, actuators, and sophisticated electronic control units that use transistors for signal processing, power control, and switching. Advancements in ADAS, LiDAR, RADAR, and Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) communication indicate the increasing demand for transistors in autonomous driving technology and safety systems. These factors are estimated to propel the market growth over the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Lack of Thermal Management May Hinder Market Growth

Thermal management is one of the crucial factors in an automotive system. As the automotive system becomes more advanced and power-hungry, the transistor used in these systems must handle high current and voltage levels. The increasing power demand from modern automotive systems, such as electric powertrains and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), necessitates high-power transistors. These high-power transistors generate more heat during operation. Additionally, vehicles have limited space for heat dissipation components such as heatsink and cooling fans, making implementing robust thermal management solutions challenging. These factors, in turn, hamper the market's growth over the forecast period.

SEGMENTATION

By Architecture Type Analysis

 Negative-Positive-Negative (NPN) Segment is  anticipated to  Dominate the Market Owing to its  Vital Role in Power Control Applications

Based on the architecture type, , the   market is segmented into Negative-Positive-Negative (NPN) and Positive-Negative-Positive (PNP).

The NPN segment dominates the market growth during the forecast period. The NPN transistor is a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) that consists of three semiconductor layers, i.e., two n-type regions (emitter and collector) surrounding a p-type region (base). The NPN transistors' ability to control current flow makes it suitable for amplification and switching tasks, and it operates based on the majority carrier flow from the emitter to the collector, controlled by the base. Modern vehicles require efficient power management, equipped with various electronic systems. Power control is one of the primary applications of NPN transistors in the automotive sector, helping maintain its dominance in the market.

The Positive-Negative-Positive (PNP) transistor holds the second-largest market position. PNP transistors operate on the principle of controlling the flow of holes from the emitter to the collector by the base current. This transistor is widely used in signal-processing applications within modern vehicles. Their ability to handle high current and voltage levels and their role as amplifiers and electronic switches make them indispensable in the automotive industry. This factor is expected to maintain the second-largest position of PNP transistors over the forecast period.

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By Application Type Analysis

Passenger Car Segment Is Expected Dominate Owing To Increasing Vehicle Production

The market is segmented into passenger cars and commercial vehicles based on application type.

Currently, in 2022, the passenger car segment dominated the market and is anticipated to dominate during the forecast period. Stringent government regulations to equip vehicles with driver assistance systems that improve vehicle safety are fueling the growth of the passenger car segment. Increasing global vehicle production is also one of the key factors in maintaining the dominance of the passenger car sector in this market. With significant investments in R&D and continued technological development by automakers, adaptive cruise control systems are becoming more cost-effective and easier to use in all vehicle models. The growing integration of transistors owing to the adoption of ADAS technologies is expected to maintain the dominance of this segment over the forecast period.

Commercial vehicles heavily rely on electronic systems to manage engine performance, optimize fuel consumption, and ensure safety. Transistors find diverse applications in commercial vehicles, contributing to efficient operation and performance. The e-commerce and logistics industry has increased the demand for commercial vehicles with advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blindspot detection, etc.; driving for long hours can be tiring for commercial vehicle drivers. The ACC system is responsible for maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle ahead and helps prevent driver fatigue by allowing the driver to concentrate on other aspects of driving. 

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Geographically the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the world.

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The Asia Pacific market was valued at USD 2.49 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.24 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.47%, and is expected to drive market development for the region during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.  The growing demand for increased automobile production and sales from countries such as India, Japan, China, and South Korea is helping to dominate the Asia Pacific market. In addition, the growing demand for electric and connected vehicles from countries such as China and Japan, which account for 65% of the EV market share, has also helped it maintain its dominant position.

The North America region is anticipated to hold the second-largest position in the market. North America's automotive industry has witnessed significant advancements over the past several years. Increased emphasis is being given to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Moreover, customers in this region increasingly demand feature-loaded applications that give them more control over their vehicles. Additionally, infotainment systems have witnessed drastic changes over time, with automotive companies increasingly providing large touch panels in vehicles, primarily cars, enabling the users to interact with the application more efficiently. Companies such as Tesla, General Motors, and Ford Motor Company increasingly provide these application features to attract customers.

Additionally, stringent government regulations regarding emissions and safety standards have encouraged manufacturers to incorporate advanced electronic systems in vehicles, driving the need for transistors. The increasing demand for electric vehicles in North America has also fueled the demand for transistors in EVs. This factor is helping to maintain the second-largest position in North America over the forecast period.

The European market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Government agencies in the region have stepped up their vehicle rating system, requiring manufacturers to produce vehicles that meet government safety standards. Sensor-based technology is increasing in the automotive sector to meet government safety standards. Therefore, the demand for advanced driver assistance systems is expected to increase the demand for automotive transistors during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Companies are Focusing on Partnerships, Acquisition, and Building Advanced Positive-Negative-Positive (PNP) to Gain a Competitive Edge over Others

Some leading companies dominate the global market due to their critical strategic decisions, robust producst portfolio, and market share dominance. These include a group of 4-5 key companies with a more extensive geographic presence and persistent R&D, resulting in secure regulatory approvals.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• STMicroelectronics (Switzerland)


• Infineon Technologies (Germany)


• Texas Instruments (U.S.)


• Toshiba (Japan)


• Diodes Incorporated (U.S.)


• Rohm (Japan)


• Sanken Electric (Japan)


• Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan)


• Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., (U.S.)


• NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2022: Renesas Electronics Corporation acquired Reality Analytics (Reality AI) to improve artificial intelligence. The acquisition of Reality AI will enable Renesas to expand its internal capabilities to provide comprehensive and highly optimized endpoint solutions from both a hardware and software perspective.


• March 2022: Renesas Electronics Corporation announced the expansion of its collaboration with Honda on the "R-Car V4H System-on-Chip (SoC)" for central processing in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving solutions. R-Car V4H achieves up to 34 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) of deep learning performance, enabling high-speed image recognition and processing of surrounding objects by in-vehicle cameras, radar, and lidar.


• September 2021: Toshiba expanded its lineup of automotive bipolar transistors and announced that it had commercialized the automotive bipolar transistor "TTC502" mounted on the compact SOT-23F. The SOT-23F package uses a flat lead construction and is tested to the temperature cycling requirements of automotive applications and meets the assembly quality requirements of automotive applications.


• September 2021: GaN Systems signed an agreement with BMW to supply GaN power transistors to the automaker. This automotive-grade GaN power transistor aims to improve efficiency and power density in critical EV applications.


• July 2021: Nexperia has launched nine new power bipolar transistors for automotive and industrial applications and has expanded its product portfolio of thermally and electrically favorable DPAK packages with applications from 2 A to 8 A and 45 V to 100 V.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market report provides a detailed analysis and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, application types, and architecture types. Besides, 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 contributed to the market's growth in recent years. 

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