Growth in pipeline for China automotive hose market

Dublin – Demand for automotive rubber hose in China is expected to reach 640 million meters and market size at RMB24.1 billion (€3.1bn), predicts market research supplier Research and Markets.

The forecast represents a significant expansion of the already enormous market, which totalled 460 million meters and worth RMB17.4 billion in 2013, according to R&M.

As China’s automobile industry develops further, demand for rubber hose will maintain a steady growth trend, said the firm – highlighting a report titled “China Automotive Rubber Hose Industry Report, 2014-2017”.

Automotive rubber hose can be divided into several main categories: engine hose, fuel hose, air conditioner hose, brake hose and power steering hose.

Engine hose accounted for nearly 28% of total market demand for hose in 2013, with the report estimating it to exceed 170 million meters in 2017.

In terms of market value, fuel hose is the largest segment, topping RMB5 billion in 2013, more than 29% of total market value of automotive rubber hose. It is predicted to hit RMB 7 billion by 2017, higher than that of other types of hoses.

The report spotlights some of the main players in the automotive rubber hose market, including Hutchinson, which entered Chinese market in 1995.

The French major now has one subsidiary in Wuhan and Suzhou respectively, with the former specialising in automotive rubber hose business and supplying its products to Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen, Ford, Shanghai GM, Volvo, Fiat, Nissan, Beijing Benz, BMW and Inergy.

Chinese companies cited in the report include Tianjin Pengling Rubber Hose Co., Ltd, which mainly produces engine cooling system pipeline and fuel hose.

Tianjin Pengling’s products are offered to FAW-Volkswagen, Shanghai Volkswagen, Great Wall Motors, etc. The company took up a 5.7-percent market share in 2013, and is expected to surpass 8% by 2017, as capacity continues to be ramped up.