EL SEGUNDO, CA – Driven by government mandates, global shipments of automotive MEMS sensors are expected to nearly double from 2006 to 2012, according to iSuppli Corp.

iSuppli forecasts worldwide automotive MEMS sensor shipments will grow to 935.7 million units in 2012, rising at a CAGR of 12% from 2006.

Global auto MEMS sensor revenue will increase to $2.1 billion in 2012, increasing at a CAGR of 8%.

“Driving the rapid growth of the automotive MEMS sensor market in the United States and Europe is a set of chassis safety-related mandates that makes compulsory the implementation of electronic stability control systems and tire-pressure monitors,” said Richard Dixon, senior analyst for MEMS at iSuppli.

Shipments of MEMS pressure sensors for tire pressure monitoring systems are expected to reach 179 million units in 2012, up from 43.1 million in 2006. Shipments of MEMS inertial and pressure sensors used in ESC systems will increase to 158 million units in 2012, rising at a CAGR of 17%.

“These applications will allow the automotive MEMS sensor market to outgrow the automotive and car electronics segments over the next few years,” Dixon said.

A substantial market driver will emerge in 2009 when Europe’s stringent emission–control regulations go into effect, said the firm. This will boost demand for powertrain pressure sensors. Other healthy MEMS markets include high-g accelerometers for airbags.

“Mandates are reshaping the supply chain,” said Jérémie Bouchaud, principal analyst for MEMS at iSuppli. “In the case of ESC systems, transitioning rapidly from an expensive option to a standard function in just a few years will create a space for newcomers and threaten established second-tier suppliers.”

Bouchaud added the market transparency brought by government mandates may herald greater commoditization and price erosion in MEMS sensor products, as all suppliers provide products that conform to government specifications, and which accommodate a range spanning the most expensive to the cheapest available vehicle.

This will reshape the competitive landscape for MEMS sensors because of increased competition, Bouchaud added.