The Benefits Air Suspension Systems Provide to Drivers

With the ongoing advancements in vehicle technologies, the automotive industry is taking a leap. Consequently, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are also showing inclination towards commercializing innovative automotive components such as air suspension systems. Automotive suppliers and manufacturers are jumping the bandwagon by increasing their focus on introducing highly tunable air suspension systems that offer high-quality design and performance parameters  such as vehicle ride, load capacity, handling, size constraints, and energy consumption.

Manufacturers are also bolstering their investments in research & development activities to discover a new class of automotive suspension systems that are road adaptive and are equipped with features to independently tune vehicle ride height and suspension stiffness based on the road conditions. With the use of unique and next-generation technologies, manufacturers are introducing air suspension systems that offer easy lifting/lowering on driver demand, optimum ride height, and high amounts of comfort irrespective of the road conditions and vehicle load.

The use of advanced technologies and braking control systems is emerging as a popular trend in the air suspension systems market. Manufacturers are investing high-end technologies to stay ahead of the game. Also, customizing the features of air suspension systems depending on compressors with different levels of pressures and flow rates is also becoming a prominent trend in the air suspension systems market. Manufacturers are mainly innovating around the designs of air suspension systems through the use of technologies in order to improve driving safety and comfort.

Furthermore, collaborating with automobile manufacturing companies is also emerging as a lucrative strategy for players in the air suspension systems market. For instance, WABCO Holdings Inc. - a leading manufacturer of braking control systems - announced in February 2019 that it has signed a US$ 230 million, long-term agreement with a leading manufacturer of premium passenger cars headquartered in Europe. The company aims to capitalise on the growing value of the standard air suspension in premium cars by offering advanced technology-driven products that improve driving capabilities of cars.

Air suspension systems were first introduced to the world in early 20th century. Since then a number of technological improvements have managed to widespread adoption of this systems technology. Air suspension systems is a type of system, which supports the automotive vehicle on the axles with the help of air springs or air bags as an alternative for conventional leaf springs or steel springs. Furthermore, the ability to transport heavy loads is increased with air suspension systems by levelling the suspension. In addition, they also reduce vibration and noise. Over recent years, air suspension systems have advanced into the commercial world. Besides from trucks and trailers, other way of transport vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles are using these suspension systems.

The worldwide market for Air Suspension Systems was projected to be valued at US$ 4,370.5 Mn at the end of 2017 and is likely to expand at a CAGR of 7.0% over the assessment period. The growth of air suspension systems market is projected to be mainly driven by globalization in near future. Air suspension systems are mainly sold by OEMs by incorporating the system in the vehicle. On the basis of vehicle type, the worldwide air suspension systems market can be divided into three segments: heavy trucks, trailers and buses & coaches. Intercontinental trade between North American, Asian and European countries will reinforce the replacement and sales of both light and heavy trucks.

The Benefits

Air suspension systems offer various significant benefits that are useful to drivers. The prime benefit is Ride Quality: While the old-style steel spring suspension can cause a harsher ride, automotive vehicles with air suspension offer a glide over bump. Also, as air suspension systems are often adjustable, the drivers can choose a comfortable ride if they’re on a rough road or a harsh ride for improving handling. Another huge benefit air suspension systems provide to trucks and cars is improved towing abilities as drivers can maintain balance when towing to account for heavier loads.

Some advantages air suspension systems provide are listed below

• It escalates driving comfort.

• It has improved drivability.

• It offers a safer feeling to driver.

• It robotically adjusts the ride height depending on the speed of vehicle.

• It decreases wind resistance effectively.

• It lessens fuel consumption.

• Vehicles often said to glide over bumps.

• It escalates firmness and better towing capabilities.

• It provides a smooth ride quality.

• Drivers have an option to choose a calm ride if they’re on a uneven road or a harsh ride for better handling.

• It is specially designed to minimize vibration and to moderate shock.

• It offers better road handling and stability of the truck and trailer.

• It filters the unevenness of the road which increases comfort.

• It has a better facility for easily loading and unloading the automotive vehicle.