Downsized turbocharged engines are a “no compromise solution” for automakers seeking to satisfy more stringent global fuel economy and emission regulations and customer demand for better-performing vehicles. Turbochargers can help downsized engines improve fuel economy as much as 20 to 40 percent in gas and diesel engines, respectively, when compared with larger naturally aspirated engines and still provide the same or better engine performance. In addition to improving fuel efficiency, downsized turbocharged engines also reduce harmful exhaust emissions.

“Continued pressure to improve the driver experience and meet future industry requirements is spurring the positive trend seen in this year’s forecast, which include double-digit growth in both North America and China,” said Honeywell Transportation Systems president and CEO, Terrence Hahn. “We expect the industry to produce more than 200 million new turbo-equipped vehicles during the next five years, driving continued demand for well-designed, boosted engines that reduce fuel consumption and improve vehicle performance.”

IHS Automotive Senior Director for Long Range Planning Philip Gott has been tracking the automotive industry and the technologies automakers are using around the world to help improve performance.

“During the past decade, turbochargers have moved from a niche technology in the high-performance market segment to an integral part of manufacturers’ mainstream emission control and fuel economy strategies,” Gott said. “Because they are compatible with virtually all engine technologies, they represent a global growth opportunity, making substantial gains even in the limited-growth markets of the U.S., Japan and Europe.”

GLOBAL TURBO PROJECTIONS

• China leading global turbo growth: The world’s fastest-growing automotive market is expected to increase turbo penetration from 23 percent in 2014 to 41 percent in 2019, thereby doubling the number of turbocharged vehicles sold each year to more than 13 million.
• U.S. adding turbos at double-digit rate: As the second-fastest-growing global market, North America’s turbo market will grow by 14 percent per year in the next five years to more than 8 million total turbocharged vehicles by 2019, equating to 38 percent of the market.
• Europe adding gas turbos to world’s largest turbodiesel fleet: Turbo penetration in Europe is already the highest globally and will grow 2 percent by 2019 from 67 percent to 69 percent with an expected 16 million total turbocharged vehicles sold each year.
• Turbo mix in India to shift toward more gas applications: Honeywell projects turbo penetration to increase 2 percent, from 46 percent in 2014 to 48 percent in 2019, with the total number of turbocharged vehicles sold each year approaching 3 million units.
• Japan adding turbos despite expected decline in overall sales: Honeywell projects turbo penetration will increase by 5 percent from 18 percent in 2014 to 23 percent, reflecting annual sales of 1.3 million turbocharged vehicles by 2019.
• Korea turbo penetration outpacing production: Honeywell projects turbo penetration to increase by 3 percent from 42 percent in 2014 to 45 percent, reflecting annual sales approaching 1 million turbocharged vehicles in 2019.
• South America adding turbo technologies to mix: Honeywell projects turbo penetration to increase by 7 percent from 17 percent in 2014 to 24 percent, reflecting annual sales approaching 2 million turbocharged vehicles in 2019.

The Honeywell Global Turbo Forecast is a proprietary analysis and estimate of automotive industry trends and is based on comprehensive data received from global vehicle- makers, third-party analysts and industry experts.