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This section provides an overview for automotive air conditioners as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 5 automotive air conditioner manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked automotive air conditioner companies as of December, 2024: 1.DBK Group, 2.Old Air Products Inc., 3.MAHLE Japan Ltd..
Table of Contents
An automotive air conditioner is a system designed to control the temperature and humidity within a vehicle's cabin. It operates by circulating a refrigerant through a closed system, effectively regulating the interior climate for comfort.
The system's core component, the compressor, is powered by the vehicle's engine. In electric vehicles, the heating function may utilize an electric heating element to warm water within the heater core, compensating for the absence of engine waste heat.
Automotive air conditioners maintain a comfortable cabin temperature and humidity level, similar to residential units. They play a crucial role in preventing window fogging, especially under high humidity conditions or with multiple passengers.
Activating the air conditioner alongside the heater can mitigate window fogging in winter by dehumidifying the cabin air.
The air conditioning system relies on a refrigerant, often referred to as air conditioning gas, for heat exchange processes. These processes include:
The compressor elevates the refrigerant's pressure and temperature, transitioning it from a gas to a semi-liquid state.
In the condenser, the semi-liquid refrigerant releases its heat, condensing into a high-pressure liquid.
Through the expansion valve, the refrigerant is rapidly expanded, resulting in a low-temperature and low-pressure mist.
This mist moves to the evaporator, where it cools and dehumidifies the air being circulated into the cabin.
Efficient operation of the automotive air conditioner can impact fuel consumption. Rapid cooling to the desired temperature is more fuel-efficient than prolonged, low-intensity use.
Minimizing sunlight exposure inside the cabin, which contributes to higher temperatures through infrared radiation, can also reduce the need for air conditioning.
The refrigerant R12, used historically, was phased out by 1995 due to its ozone-depleting properties. Today, HFC134a is common, although it is a potent greenhouse gas. R1234yf is emerging as a more environmentally friendly alternative, with lower global warming potential and no ozone depletion impact, signaling a shift towards more sustainable refrigerants in automotive air conditioning.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Old Air Products Inc., established in 1989 and located in Lewisville, Texas, is a manufacturer of aftermarket air conditioning systems and parts for classic cars and trucks. The company offers a wide range of air conditioning systems and parts for cars and trucks, including under dash units, hurricane systems, perfect fit systems and easy fit systems. The company’s products are designed to fit and function with the specific needs of the classic vehicles.
Mahle Japan Ltd., established in 1968 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of components and systems for the automotive and industrial sectors. The company's products include components for E-mobility, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles, alongside magnet-free electric motors and 3D printing facilities. Its large engine components division collaborates with manufacturers to develop engine systems and provide cylinder liners, piston rings, and valves. Its small engine components division offers systems for recreational market engines and compressors, including mechatronic components and permanent-magnet alternating current generators. The company also provides fuel injection systems for optimized engine performance and emissions control.
Ruia Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., incorporated in 1976 and based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is a manufacturer of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) products and concrete admixtures. The company offers FRP tanks and pipes for chemical as well as water transport or storage applications, and concrete admixtures for enhancing the properties of poured concrete. It also offers unsaturated polyester resin for use in industrial composites and coatings. The company mainly serves clients in the industrial manufacturing and construction sectors.
DBK Group, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Rülzheim, Germany, is a manufacturer of heating & cooling solutions. The company develops electrical components and custom-designed thermal management solutions for multiple industries. It provides electrical heating and cooling solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as provides Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS). The company's EMS services include the entire chain from consultation to production, testing, and shipping while maintaining the quality standards of ISO 13485.
Hella GmbH & Co., founded in 1899 and based in Lippstadt, Germany, is a manufacturer of lighting and electronic components and systems for vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers. Its products include sensors, interior lighting, headlamps, actuators, and cockpit electronics. In 1984, its annual sales went over one million deutschmarks for the first time. In 2022, it joined Faurecia to form FORVIA, and together, the two are the world’s seventh-largest automotive supplier. The aftermarket segment caters to garages and the independent aftermarket, while the special applications segment provides products to other groups like boat builders and energy suppliers.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DBK Group |
26.7%
|
| 2 | Old Air Products Inc. |
24.5%
|
| 3 | MAHLE Japan Ltd. |
17.5%
|
| 4 | HELLA GmbH & Co. |
16.7%
|
| 5 | Ruia Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. |
14.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the automotive air conditioner page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
1 | 25.0% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 25.0% |
|
India
|
1 | 25.0% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 25.0% |
