Analysis Report: Power Steering (Japanese Market)

EPS technology advancements accompanying ADAS implementation

List of Suppliers

  • JTEKT Corporation
  • NSK Steering & Control, Inc.
  • Astemo, Ltd.
  • KYB Corporation

Analysis Report: Power Steering (U.S. and European Markets)

Ⅰ. Introduction

  Among the key vehicle operations of “go, turn, and stop”, the steering mechanism is an important product that affects steering performance. With the popularization of the automobile, manufacturers over time have added more advanced systems such as air conditioning and automatic transmissions. Similar to these systems, power steering is an enhanced version of the basic system that helps drivers to steer a vehicle more easily and comfortably by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel. In recent years, steering system architectures are evolving to a high level of functionality with system redundancy (to ensure fail-safe operation) and are becoming one of the critical functional components in the CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric) era.

  Initially power steering was offered as a high-end optional equipment feature available only on some models in the luxury car segment. But power steering now comes equipped on most vehicles as standard equipment to avoid those issues with heavy handling that are common in vehicles with an FWD layout. Today most passenger vehicles in Japan, including mini-vehicles and commercial vehicles, are equipped with power steering as standard equipment.

  In the evolution of power steering technology, early systems were commonly hydraulic-assisted ones, with the engine's power used to drive a hydraulic pump. However, as described below, the adoption of electric power steering (EPS) systems is growing rapidly to improve fuel economy because with EPS it is possible to eliminate the hydraulic pump and associated engine load. In fact, most of the models in the current Japanese market are equipped with EPS systems rather than hydraulic systems.

  In addition, electric power steering technology has continued to evolve, with steer-by-wire systems (no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels) already in production and on the market. Going forward, the product will need to evolve further in parallel to keep pace with the improved functionality of autonomous driving systems.  Although the European market is taking the lead, not only the conventional front wheels, but also electric steering systems applied to the rear wheels have also been commercialized. Further evolution of driving stability control at high speeds and autonomous unmanned parking functions in certain limited parking spaces is also expected.

  This report describes four power steering system suppliers (JTEKT, NSK Steering & Control, Astemo, and KYB) and their products in the Japanese market, focusing on models, excluding commercial vehicles, produced in Japan by the eight Japanese automakers. For more information on ZF Friedrichshafen and Robert Bosch Automotive Steering, whose products are used in some Japanese cars, see Analysis Report: Power Steering (U.S. and European Markets).

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