From the late 19th century to today, the automotive sector has undoubtedly been a fucus. With the continuous advancement of electrification, autonomous driving, and connected vehicle technologies, many developed countries have increased their investment in automotive technologies, driving the industry toward a more sustainable, efficient, and intelligent future.
According to data from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), global vehicle sales reached approximately 80 million units in 2023, and are expected to exceed 90 million units by 2025. The growth in car sales has also spurred the development of the connector market. As a signal hub for connecting various electronic systems, automotive connectors are widely utilized in power systems, body systems, information control systems, safety systems, and on-board equipment. These small components play a significant role in delivering electrical signals to various vehicle systems, powering all devices from the engine control unit to the car radio. Through these types of connectors, signals allow for seamless communication and collaboration between electronic components in vehicles.
Let us answer your curiosity about the number of automotive connectors used:
1. Traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicles
- Basic Models: A typical internal combustion engine car usually contains around 500 to 700 connectors. These connectors are used for systems such as the lighting, engine control unit (ECU), infotainment, powertrain, and basic sensors.
- Mid-Range Models: The number of connectors can reach 1000 to 1500, as these vehicle models are equipped with more electronic control units (ECUs) and electrical components such as climate control, and enhanced infotainment systems, and electronic seat adjustment.
- Luxury Models: In high-end luxury vehicles, the number of connectors can reach 1,500 to 2,000 or more. Due to the integration of more advanced features, including active driving assistance systems, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and onboard networking systems. Some high-end electric vehicles (such as the Tesla Model S) are equipped with numerous sensors and high-performance electrical systems, pushing the number of connectors to over 2,000 in some cases.
2. Electric Vehicles (EVs)
- Standard Electric Vehicles: EVs, with their more complex electrical and electronic systems (eg battery management systems, electric drive systems, regenerative braking, and charging infrastructure), often have 700 to 1,000 connectors.
- Premium EVs: High-end electric vehicles (such as those with autonomous driving features, more sensors, or high-power charging systems) can have 1,200 to 1,500 connectors, with some even exceeding 2,000 connectors due to the complexity of their electrical systems and high-voltage battery connections.
3. Commercial Vehicles (Trucks, Buses, etc.)
- Commercial vehicles, which may have more extensive electronic control systems for things like diagnostics, safety, and power distribution, generally use between 700 to 1,500 connectors.
4. Autonomous and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Vehicles
- Autonomous Vehicles: With the growing development of self-driving technology, cars equipped with a wide array of sensors (LIDAR, radar, cameras), control units, and advanced communications systems can use 2,000 to 3,000 connectors or more.
5. Hybrid Vehicles
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): HEVs, which utilize both internal combustion engines and electric powertrains, usually contain approximately 1,000 to 1,500 connectors due to the combination of traditional and electric vehicle technologies.
Nowadays, with the rise of electrification, connected cars, and autonomous vehicles, the number of connectors in cars is expected to increase remarkably in the future. The industry market size is expected to grow further.
