BOULDER, Colo. (Jan. 2, 2013) — Worldwide sales of stop-start vehicles (SSVs) are expected to grow from 8.8 million in 2013 to 55.4 million in 2022, according to Navigant Research.
SSVs eliminate idling by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stationary and restarting it automatically when it is time to move. They offer a portion of the fuel economy benefits of hybrid vehicles at a fraction of the cost premium, Navigant said.
“The latest stop-start systems are beginning to adopt some of the features that were first developed for full hybrid vehicles, such as energy recovery through regenerative braking,” said David Alexander, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “The challenge for automakers is to get the biggest efficiency benefits from the smallest cost increment.”
One challenge for this market, according to the report, is that stop-start technology goes by many different names, depending on the auto maker and the region of the world. Car makers tend to assume that most consumers do not want to know how their vehicles work to achieve fuel efficiency, so they focus on promoting positive outcomes instead.
However, some consumers would be more likely to ask about optional packages if consistent terminology were used in the descriptions, according to the report, and if the benefits were more clearly explained in marketing and advertising materials.
Greater clarity across the industry in communicating the advantages of SSV technology could increase sales of SSVs for all manufacturers, the study concluded.
The report, “Stop-Start Vehicles,” analyzes the opportunities and challenges present in the global market for light duty SSVs, also known as micro hybrids, idle stop vehicles, and a variety of other names branded by auto makers.
For more information, visit Navigant's website.