Automotive Knock Sensor Market Size, By Offering (Piezoelectric Knock, Inductive Knock), By Application (Passenger Vehicle, Commercial Vehicle [Light Commercial, Medium Commercial, Heavy Commercial), By Sales Channel (OEM, Aftermarket), Forecast 2024 - 2032

Automotive Knock Sensor Market Size

Automotive Knock Sensor Market size was valued at USD 748.7 million in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 4% between 2024 and 2032. The growing focus on fuel efficiency and reduced fuel consumption is driving the adoption of advanced automotive engine management systems that rely on knock sensors for accurate detection and control of combustion processes.
 

This ensures optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. Knock sensors detect abnormal combustion. The sensor signals the engine control unit (ECU) to adjust the ignition timing, ensuring a smoother, more controlled burn. With knock sensors providing real-time feedback, engines can operate with a leaner air-fuel mixture. Knock sensors function as a safeguard for the engine. By preventing knocking, knock sensors help extend engine life, reducing the need for repairs and replacements, which translates to lower overall fuel consumption over the vehicle's lifetime. In April 2023, Hyundai unveiled the redesigned Sonata with a focus on improved fuel efficiency. One of the key features contributing to this is the integration of advanced knock sensors. These sensors help the Sonata's engine operate with a leaner burn, maximizing fuel usage and extending mileage.
 

The overall growth in automotive production, especially in emerging markets, drives the demand for automotive components, including knock sensors. The constant increase in vehicle production volume necessitates the use of reliable and efficient knock detection systems. Knock sensors are considered as a crucial part of gasoline engines, and with more cars being built, there is a direct correlation to the need for more knock sensors. It is an essential component in most gasoline-powered cars, from budget-friendly sedans to heavy-duty trucks. This widespread use across various vehicle segments ensures a strong connection between rising production numbers and knock sensor demand.
 

In March 2024, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), global automotive production saw a 5% increase in Q1 2024, highlighting the growing demand for automotive components such as knock sensors. As car manufacturers ramp up production, they need more parts to assemble the vehicles. Knock sensors, being essential components in most gasoline engines, thus experience a corresponding increase in demand.
 

Developing and manufacturing advanced knock sensors with high sensitivity and reliability involves significant costs. This can impact the pricing of these sensors, making them less affordable for budget-conscious consumers and smaller automotive manufacturers. Further, continuous innovation in sensor technology requires substantial investment in research and development. Variations in engine designs and configurations across different vehicle models complicate the standardization of knock sensor technology.
 

Each engine type may require a different sensor configuration or placement, making it challenging to develop a one-size-fits-all solution. Adapting knock sensor technology to various engine layouts without compromising performance is a significant challenge. Knock sensors are exposed to harsh engine conditions, including elevated temperatures, vibrations, and chemical contaminants. Ensuring their long-term durability and reliability in such an environment is challenging and creates hinderance in market growth.
 

Automotive Knock Sensor Market Trends

Technological innovations in sensor technology, such as improved sensitivity and miniaturization, are enhancing the effectiveness of knock sensors. This leads to better engine management and increased adoption of modern vehicles. Newer knock sensors boast improved sensitivity and thus allow them to detect even quieter or incipient knocking events within the engine. These finer detection capabilities translate to more precise adjustments to ignition timing, leading to even more optimized combustion and potentially better fuel efficiency.
 

Further, modern knock sensors are becoming increasingly smaller and lighter, and this miniaturization makes it easier to integrate them into different engine designs, thus potentially creating opportunities for applications in even more vehicles. In addition, smaller sensors can be placed closer to the combustion chamber, leading to faster and more accurate knock detection. In February 2024, Bosch unveiled its latest knock sensor technology with enhanced sensitivity and digital integration, enabling more precise engine control. It focuses on enhanced sensitivity and digital integration. This positions Bosch competitively within the market and highlights the ongoing focus on improving knock sensor capabilities.
 

Governments worldwide have been imposing stricter emission standards to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. These regulations target pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC) which contribute to smog and other environmental problems. Automotive knock sensors play a crucial role in optimizing engine performance and ensuring compliance with these regulations by detecting engine knock and enabling precise engine control.
 

In June 2024, the European Commission revised the Euro 7 emission standards, requiring more stringent NOx and CO2 limits for vehicles??. These regulations emphasize the need for advanced engine control technologies, including knock sensors, to meet the new standards?. To meet these new standards, car manufacturers in Europe will be required to adopt advanced technologies that improve engine efficiency and reduce emissions and knock sensors will be a breakthrough technology in this situation.

Automotive Knock Sensor Market Analysis

Based on offering, the market is divided into piezoelectric knock and inductive knock. In 2023, the piezoelectric knock accounted for a market share of over 70%. Piezoelectric knock sensors are preferred in modern vehicles, owing to their high sensitivity, durability, and ability to operate under extreme conditions. These sensors offer high accuracy and reliability under various engine operating conditions, making them essential for modern engine designs?. This technology is considered suitable for a range of applications such as conventional internal combustion engines, hybrid power trains and others. Advancements in piezoelectric materials and sensor designs have enhanced the efficiency and miniaturization of these sensors, making them more suitable for modern engines?.
 

In April 2024, Bosch announced advancements in their piezoelectric knock sensor technology, for improved sensitivity and durability. This new generation of sensors is to be integrated into a broader range of vehicles, including electric and hybrid models, due to their enhanced performance. The improved durability of these sensors ensures its capabilities to withstand the harsh operating conditions within an engine for a longer period. With better detection capabilities, these sensors can provide the engine control unit (ECU) with more precise information about engine combustion.
 

Based on application, the automotive knock sensor market is categorized into passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. The passenger vehicles are expected to hold around USD 700 million by 2032. Passenger vehicles represent the largest segment for automotive knock sensors, due to the high volume of vehicle production and increasing focus on fuel efficiency and emissions control in this category.
 

Further, stringent emission regulations across nations are driving the adoption of knock sensors to ensure that passenger vehicles comply with these standards by optimizing combustion and reducing harmful emissions. Furthermore, consumers' growing demand for fuel-efficient passenger vehicles is promoting the use of advanced engine management systems that include knock sensors for better engine control?.
 

In March 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its fuel efficiency standards for passenger vehicles, emphasizing the need for precise engine management systems, including advanced knock sensors. The revised EPA standards are more stringent, pushing automakers to develop vehicles that achieve higher fuel efficiency. Knock sensor technology is a well-established and cost-effective solution that can help car manufacturers meet these stricter targets.
 

In 2023, APAC has a significant share in the automotive knock sensor market with around 35% of the business share. Rapid industrialization, growing automotive production, and increasing adoption of advanced engine management systems are propelling the demand for automotive knock sensors in APAC. China, Japan, South Korea, and India are significant contributors due to their large automotive manufacturing bases and advancements in vehicle technologies. Growth in hybrid vehicle production is driving innovation in knock sensor technology.
 

In April 2024, a report released by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) emphasized the role of advanced knock sensors in meeting China's new emission regulations?. It has planned to implement stricter emission regulations to combat air pollution. These regulations target pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC) regulations being enforced in other regions. ?It highlights the importance of knock sensors for cleaner emissions is a positive development for the knock sensor market in China.
 

In North America, particularly the U.S., and Canada; high vehicle ownership, stringent emission standards, and the focus on fuel efficiency are some of the major factors driving the automotive knock sensor market. The growth in vehicle production has influenced the development of knock sensors that are compatible with hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems. Further, an increase in the integration of knock sensors with advanced engine control units to enhance performance and emissions control? is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market. In June 2024, Delphi Technologies expanded its knock sensor production facility in Michigan to cater to the growing demand from U.S. automotive manufacturers. By expanding its production capacity, Delphi has been strategically positioning itself to capture a larger share of the growing knock sensor market in the US. This move ensures them have the resources to meet the anticipated demand from automakers.
 

In European countries such as Germany, France, and the U.K., strict emission regulations, technological advancements in automotive engineering, and strong demand for high-performance vehicles drive the automotive knock sensor market. Further, continuous investments in R&D has been reported to develop more sensitive and reliable knock sensors for high-performance engines in the region. In April 2024, Robert Bosch GmbH announced enhancements to their knock sensor technology, aimed at meeting the upcoming Euro 7 emission standards across Europe. Bosch demonstrates an initiative-taking approach to addressing the challenges faced by European automakers. This positions them as a strong solution provider in the market.
 

Automotive Knock Sensor Market Share

Bosch and Continental AG dominate the market with over 10% market share. Bosch is a global leader in technology and services, operating in sectors such as automotive, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy. In the automotive domain, Bosch stands out for its innovations in autonomous driving, and advanced automotive powertrain system. The company provides a wide range of automotive solutions, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), powertrain components, and sensor technology, such as its state-of-the-art knock sensors.
 

Continental AG is a major player in the automotive industry, renowned for its innovations in automotive safety, connectivity, and powertrain technology. Continental's extensive portfolio includes high-performance vehicle components such as tires, braking systems, and advanced sensors, including knock sensors designed to optimize engine performance and emissions control. With a focus on intelligent mobility solutions, Continental leverages its expertise in electronics and software to provide advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and solutions for vehicles.
 

Automotive Knock Sensor Market Companies

Major players operating in the automotive knock sensor industry are:

• Bosch
• Continental
• Delphi
• Denso
• Hitachi
• Honeywell
• Mitsubishi
• STMicroelectronics
• TE Connectivity
• Vaelo

Automotive Knock Sensor Industry News

• In May 2024, Denso Corporation expanded its production facilities in China to meet the increasing demand for advanced knock sensors. This expansion will help cater to the local automotive market's need for sensors that support stringent emission regulations and fuel efficiency goals.
   
• In March 2024, Ford incorporated enhanced piezoelectric knock sensors into its latest line of hybrid vehicles. These sensors are designed to optimize combustion control, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in Ford's new hybrid models.
   

The automotive knock sensor market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD) and shipments (Units) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Offering

• Piezoelectric knock services
  • Piezoelectric resonance knock 
  • Piezoelectric non-resonant knock
• Inductive knock

Market, By Application

• Passenger vehicles
  • Piezoelectric knock services
  • Inductive knock
• Commercial vehicles
  • Piezoelectric knock services
  • Inductive knock
  • Light commercial
    • Piezoelectric knock services
    • Inductive knock
  • Medium commercial
    • Piezoelectric knock services
    • Inductive knock
  • Heavy commercial
    • Piezoelectric knock services
    • Inductive knock

Market, By Sales Channel

• OEM
• Aftermarket

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA