Carmakers are Currently Demanding More of Glass Suppliers than Ever Before, as Designers are Adding Increasing Amounts of Glass to their Cars

This 3rd edition is 50% bigger than the 2nd edition, contains more forecast data, and includes many exclusive interviews with industry executives.

Carmakers are currently demanding more of glass suppliers than ever before, as designers are adding increasing amounts of glass to their cars. The trend is toward complex shapes to aid vehicle styling, such as curved, higher and wider windscreens, as on the Citroen C3. As the use of glass increases, value added products are becoming more important to the automotive market, including solar control properties, de-icing and de-misting capabilities, integrated antennas for radio, TV, cell phone and navigation, integrated rain sensors, coatings for improved visibility, and functional layers such as laminated side glass.

In this 3rd edition review of vehicle glazing systems, the analysis in chapter two is extended by forecasting the market for laminated side glass, rain repellent glazing and the market value of complete glazing systems through 2011. Chapter three sets out some recent technical advances and trends, as mentioned above. It includes three exclusive Q&A interviews with Research Frontiers Inc, Exatec and Solutia Inc. Chapter four provides brief profiles of the major producers, namely Asahi Glass, Guardian Industries, Nippon Sheet Glass, Pilkington, PPG Industries, Saint-Gobain and Visteon.