Automotive cabin air filters are one of our core businesses. As a leading manufacturer with over 10 years of experience, we provide automotive air conditioning filters to over 20 car brands. We also provide products to many after-sales markets. So, I know a lot about automotive air conditioning systems and their related markets and manufacturers.
The global automotive air-conditioning market size was US$10.7 billion in 2019. Due to the pandemic’s impact, the global automotive air-conditioning market size was US$10.4 billion in 2022. The compound annual growth rate CAGR during the five years from 2018 to 2022 was -1.90%. The global scale is expected to reach US$11.9 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.11% from 2023 to 2029.
What is the car air conditioner?
Car air conditioners are devices that cool, heat, ventilate, and filter the air in the cabin. It can provide a comfortable riding environment for passengers, reduce driver fatigue, and improve driving safety. Automotive air conditioners mainly comprise refrigeration systems, heating systems, ventilation and air filtration systems, and control systems.
Car air conditioner types
Air conditioning systems can be divided into many types according to different classification methods.
For example, according to the driving mode, it can be divided into independent air conditioners and non-independent air conditioners. The former is mostly used in large vehicles, and the latter is mostly used in small buses or cars.
In addition, according to performance, they can be divided into single-function air conditioners and integrated heating and cooling air conditioners. The former is mainly used in passenger cars and trucks, while the latter is mostly used in vehicles.
Also, according to the control method, it can also be divided into manual air conditioners, automatic air conditioners, electronically controlled air conditioners, etc.
Nowadays, semi-automatic and fully automatic air conditioners account for a large proportion of the market, and electronically controlled intelligent air conditioners are the research direction.
Development trends in the automotive air conditioning industry
Electric vehicle field
The air conditioning system of electric vehicles is the biggest difference from traditional cars except for the electric power system.
Because the air conditioning system of electric vehicles is not driven by an engine, it eliminates the end drive and drive wheel of the traditional compressor. It adds a drive motor and a unique control module. The air conditioning compressor no longer relies on the engine to obtain working power, and the vehicle power output is more stable.
Electric vehicles have attracted the attention of governments and major car companies around the world, and their development is promising in the long term. However, electric vehicles’ air conditioning and thermal management parts differ from traditional vehicles. The new electric vehicle air conditioning market has enormous potential.
Scroll compressor car air conditioner
In automotive air conditioning, scroll compressors are called third-generation compressors. They are gradually replacing traditional swash plates and rotary compressors with unique performance advantages, especially in electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles must use the electric drive to adjust the air conditioning system automatically, and the industry recognizes the electric scroll compressor as the ideal electric drive air conditioning compressor. With the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry, scroll compressors have broad prospects.
The list of TOP 10 automotive air conditioner manufacturers worldwide
First, I made a table that allows you to understand the information about these manufacturers quickly.
| Number | Manufacturer | Year establish | Headquarters |
| 1 | DENSO | 1949 | Japan |
| 2 | MAHLE Behr | 1920 | Germany |
| 3 | VALEO | 1923 | France |
| 4 | Hanon system | 1986 | Korea |
| 5 | DELPHI | 1890 | USA |
| 6 | SANDEN | 1943 | Japan |
| 7 | Bergstrom | 1949 | USA |
| 8 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | 1884 | Japan |
| 9 | BOSCH | 1886 | Germany |
| 10 | Air International Thermal Systems | 1967 | Australia |
Let’s check the details one by one
Top1 DENSO
Headquarters: Japan
Year established: 1949
Website: https://www.denso.com/global/en/
Denso ranked 242nd in the Fortune Global 500 and 2nd in the Top 100 Auto Parts Manufacturers. Its main products include power transmission system components, air conditioning system components, body-related products, driving safety-related products, information and communication products, etc.
Their products are not only car air conditioners but also have the highest share in the car air conditioner market. I have to put them first.
Top2 MAHLE Behr
Headquarters: Germany
Year established: 1920
Website: https://www.mahle.com/
Mahle is a giant that produces automotive cabin air filters, air filters, and other accessories. Mahle began to acquire Behr shares in 2010, and its shareholding ratio reached 51% at the end of 2013. At the same time, it agreed with the original shareholders to integrate Behr, collectively known as “Mahle Behr,” into the outside world. Mahler Behr’s main products include air conditioning and engine cooling systems. The combination of the two allowed them to rapidly expand their market share in the automotive air conditioning market. Now Behr has become a sub-brand of Mahle.
Top3 VALEO
Headquarters: France
Year established: 1923
Website: https://www.valeo.com/en/
Valeo is a century-old company whose products include automotive air conditioners, powertrains, lighting systems, driving assistance systems, thermal systems, etc. They have accompanied the development history of the automobile industry and are one of the essential suppliers of world-renowned automobile factories. Their current goal is to become an important part of the mobile field, whether it is 4-wheelers or 2-wheelers.
Top4 Hanon system
Headquarters: Korea
Year established: 1986
Website: https://www.hanonsystems.com/En#
Hanon specializes in automotive air conditioning and HVAC systems, unlike the other companies above. Their concentrated research and development makes them more prominent. According to my research, their share of the global automotive air conditioning market is at least 8-10%. Typically, GM uses their equipment. And this is just one of their many high-profile clients. Although Hanin is relatively young compared to other companies with a long history, it is already one of the leading companies in this industry.
Top5 DELPHI
Headquarters: USA
Year established: 1890
Website: https://www.delphiautoparts.com/
Delphi has four core businesses: electronic and safety systems, heat exchange systems, powertrain systems, electronic/electrical systems, etc. He is a former Fortune 500 company. Their main products are oxygen sensors, ignition wires, engine control modules, car air conditioners, etc. Although they have experienced acquisitions and reorganization after 2005, they are still a force that cannot be ignored in automobile manufacturing.
Top6 SANDEN
Headquarters: Japan
Year established: 1943
Website: https://www.sanden.co.jp/english/
Sanden is a global first-tier manufacturer of automotive air conditioning compressors and automotive air conditioning systems. Its air conditioning compressor sales have long been among the top 3 in the world. They also produce heat exchangers, bus air conditioners, and battery thermal management systems. Hisense Group has acquired them and established joint ventures to expand their influence in the car air conditioner and air conditioning compressor space. As a result, they got Tesla’s five-year order, which I’m not surprised about.
Top7 Bergstrom
Headquarters: USA
Year established: 1949
Website: https://www.bergstromauto.com/
Bergstrom is North America’s largest commercial vehicle air-conditioning manufacturer, mainly supporting General Motors, Caterpillar, John Deere, Navistar, etc. It ranks first in the air-conditioning market share in large vehicles, such as trucks, engineering vehicles, etc. Not only in North America, it also has the largest market share in Europe. I noticed that it has a technology, an air conditioning system that can charge the battery when the truck is running, and when it is parked, it can protect the engine without idling. This technology alone is undoubtedly enough to make them number one in the market.
Top8 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Headquarters: Japan
Year established: 1884
Website: https://www.mhi.com/
It is one of Japan’s largest manufacturing companies and a member of the Mitsubishi Zaibatsu. It mainly produces household air conditioners, commercial air conditioners, vehicle air conditioners, air purifiers, air conditioning compressors, and other products. Their home air-conditioning technology is very advanced, and they apply the same technology to car air-conditioning, making them even more competitive. In addition, they have their brand of cars. Their product range is extensive, and car air conditioners are just a small part of it, but I still have to put them on this list.
Top9 BOSCH
Headquarters: Germany
Year established: 1886
Website: https://www.boschautoparts.com/
When it comes to Bosch, I think you must be familiar with it because his popularity is so high. They are the world’s number-one supplier of auto parts. I once joked that they could produce all the parts for a car in addition to the entire vehicle. Likewise, they also manufacture car air conditioners. I don’t have to mention that their car cabin air filters are also famous, for which they have also established an online retail system. I think they are familiar with all the models and configurations on the market. This helped them build a comprehensive online channel.
Top10 Air International Thermal Systems
Headquarters: Australia
Year established: 1967
Website: http://www.ai-thermal.com/
They mainly produce automotive air conditioning, engine, and battery cooling systems. They have a relatively high market share in Asia and have opened up the North American market. In recent years, with the development of electric vehicles, their market share in electric vehicles has increased. For example, Tesla and LI use their air conditioning systems. In addition, they have also launched unique products in terms of temperature control and automotive electronic control. I discovered they have 25 factories worldwide, a testament to their worldwide reach.
Last summary
With the development of the automobile industry, consumers will pay more attention to the safety, stability, comfort, entertainment, auxiliary and energy saving, and emission reduction of automobiles. Some new automobile air conditioning products that align with energy-saving and environmental protection requirements will be more popular.
Regarding technological developments, automotive air conditioners will develop toward environmentally friendly, green air conditioners, small energy saving, comfort, and automation.
As a manufacturer of automotive air conditioning filter elements, we have developed corresponding products and materials in this direction.
