Interest in front-end modules has increased over the last ten years, partly due to the focus on vehicle safety issues and the need to comply with guidelines from the European Union (EU) for pedestrian safety. New EU regulations aimed at protecting pedestrians and cyclists involved in a collision with a vehicle have led to some novel innovations, with plastics manufacturers introducing a number of energy-absorbing ideas.

The European market has been the fastest-growing region in the world in terms of demand for front-end modules, with a number of manufacturers serving the market. However, this market is showing some signs of stabilisation, and as the European market reaches maturity, NAFTA, Chinese, Korean and even Japanese vehiclemakers are starting to take a keen interest in outsourcing these modules.

This fourth edition of just-auto's front-end modules provides an overview of the vehicle front-end modules industry, giving top level market fitment, volume and value forecasts for Europe, NAFTA, Japan, China, South Korea and South America from 2003 through to 2013.

We review the key market drivers for vehicle front-end modules, and update the technical review and market analysis.

Chapter 1: Introduction - Front-end modules (FEMs) typically encompass the bumper, headlights, radiator and various others components.

Chapter 2: The market - In terms of the worldwide front-end module market, just-auto believes that HBPO probably had the edge over Faurecia in 2006, due to its established relationship with Hyundai Kia in South Korea.
In this chapter we highlight the activity of the major market players, and include comments from key executives at the main manufacturers, such as Massimo Graziano, Marketing and Communications Manager at HBPO, and Claude Marchadour, Marketing Director, front-end modules at Faurecia.
We also include market share data for Europe, North America, the South Korean market and the World, plus market volume and value forecasts for passenger cars and light trucks to 2013.

Chapter 3: Technical review - What is a front-end module? It depends who makes it and for whom. According to Faurecia, several components and sub-assemblies are built into the front-end module, including headlights, radiator, engine cooling fan systems, and the bumper fascia and beam. This chapter looks at technical innovations, and how recent pedestrian protection regulations have created new technical issues for front-end module suppliers. We also include an exclusive interview with Ulrich Dajek, specialist in hybrid technology at Lanxess, discussing the group's front-end module applications.

Chapter 4: Manufacturers - This chapter includes profiles of the major manufacturers, namely, Calsonic Kansei, Decoma International, Daenso, Faurecia, HBPO, Peguform, Plastal and Visteon. It gives a brief overview of their locations, products, and mergers and acquisitions.

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 The market

Market trends
Market players
Calsonic Kansei
Decoma International
Denso
Faurecia
HBPO
Peguform
Plastal
Market shares
World
Europe
The South Korean market
North America
Market volume forecast
Market value forecast

Chapter 3 Technical review

Defining the elements
Recent innovations
Pedestrian protection
Q&A with Lanxess

Chapter 4 Manufacturers

Calsonic Kansei
Decoma International
Denso
Faurecia
HBPO
Peguform
Plastal
Visteon

Appendix 1 Standard requirements for pedestrian protection

List of figures
Figure 1: Global automotive front-end module market shares for passenger cars and light truck applications, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 2: European automotive front-end module market shares for passenger cars and light truck applications, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 3: South Korean automotive front-end module market shares for passenger cars and light truck applications, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 4: NAFTA automotive front-end module market shares for passenger cars and light truck applications, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 5: HBPO’s Integrated Front-end Philosophy (1 of 2)
Figure 6: HBPO’s Integrated Front-end Philosophy (2 of 2)
Figure 7: Faurecia supplies the front-end modules for the Audi A3
Figure 8: Faurecia supplies the front-end module carrier for the BMW 3 Series
Figure 9: Faurecia supplies the front bumper for the VW Sharan

List of tables
Table 1: Front-end module production in Europe, NAFTA, South Korea, China, Japan and South America for passenger cars and light trucks, 2003-2013 (units)
Table 2: Front-end module market value in Europe, NAFTA, South Korea, China, Japan and South America for passenger cars and light trucks, 2003-2013 (EUR ‘000s)