European Pollution Regulations Drive Demand for High-performance Automotive Functional Fluids, finds Frost & Sullivan

Group II to group V base oils to support better fuel economy and longer life lubricants

LONDON, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- European pollution regulations and the intensifying demand for fuel economy are driving the uptake of premium priced, high-performance, long-life automotive functional fluids.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.chemicals.frost.com), European Automotive Functional Fluids Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $18.8 billion in 2012 and estimates this to reach $23.09 billion in 2018. The research covers engine oils, transmission fluids, power steering fluids, brake fluids and coolants.

"Automotive lubricants were initially based on conventional group I mineral oils and the market was more or less commoditised," noted Frost & Sullivan Chemicals, Materials and Foods Senior Research Analyst Deepak Karthikeyan. "However after the Euro V and Euro VI pollution regulations and heightened demand for fuel economy from both OEMs and end users alike, lubricants are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex."

Such trends have meant that base oils used for manufacturing automotive lubricants are moving towards higher quality, high-performance group II to group V base oils. These base oils are lighter and have a lower viscosity index, supporting better fuel economy and longer life lubricants.

"On the one hand, market revenues will rise as these advanced base oils cost double that of conventional group I mineral oils," said Karthikeyan. "On the other hand, volume demand is set to decline as durable and superior products will result in extended oil drain intervals."

Investing in technologies and having a product line based on superior base oils and additives will accelerate growth. Offering customer service by leveraging IT tools and building OEM partnerships will also be vital to success.

"Participants in the European automotive functional fluids market need to build brand equity by introducing newer, high-performance products," advised Karthikeyan. "Increased marketing spend and workshops for end users and distributors should be aimed at building product awareness. This will help in expanding market share."

If you are interested in more information on this research, please send an email to Chiara Carella, Corporate Communications, at chiara.carella@frost.com, with your full name, company name, job title, telephone number, company email address, company website, city, state and country

European Automotive Functional Fluids Market is part of the Chemicals & MaterialsGrowth Partnership Service programme. Frost & Sullivan's related research services include: European Automotive Lubricants Additives Market and European Automotive Paint Additives Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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European Automotive Functional Fluids Market
M878-39

Contact:
Chiara Carella
Corporate Communications – Europe
P: +44 (0) 20 7343 8314
M: +44 (0) 753 3017689
E: chiara.carella@frost.com
http://www.frost.com