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This section provides an overview for steering wheels as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 4 steering wheel manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked steering wheel companies as of December, 2024: 1.Lokar, 2.Longacre Racing Products, 3.Personal.
Table of Contents
A steering wheel, a key component of a vehicle's steering mechanism, is a circular device that allows drivers to control the direction of the vehicle. It consists of a rim for gripping, a hub that connects to the steering shaft, and spokes that link the rim to the hub, facilitating the adjustment of the vehicle's travel direction.
Steering wheels enable drivers to change the vehicle's wheel angle, directly affecting the direction of travel. By gripping the steering wheel and rotating it, drivers can maneuver the vehicle to the right or left, with the rotation direction determining the movement. Larger steering wheels in trucks and buses reduce the torque needed for operation due to their size and the vehicle's weight, while smaller steering wheels in racing and sports cars allow for quicker, more agile responses.
The steering wheel operates on the principle of leverage, where the rotation of the wheel—essentially a large circle—transmits movement to the smaller steering shaft in the center. This transmission of movement extends to the steering gearbox and then to the tie rods, which adjust the wheels' direction, enabling steering with minimal effort.
This steering principle ensures that during a turn, the inner wheel rotates at a sharper angle than the outer wheel, reducing tire load and improving cornering efficiency. Unlike parallel steering mechanisms, where both wheels turn at the same angle, the Ackermann mechanism allows for a more natural and effective steering response.
Rack and Pinion Type: Known for its simplicity, lightweight design, and high responsiveness, this system pairs a pinion gear with a rack bar and is commonly found in sports models.
Ball Nut Type: With a more complex design than the rack and pinion, this type offers smoother operation and is suited for larger vehicles needing more steering force.
Power Steering: To assist in steering without heavy manual effort, power steering systems use hydraulic or electric power, mitigating the force required to turn the steering wheel, especially in vehicles with heavy front ends or significant tire-ground friction.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Lokar, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of motor vehicle parts and interior accessories. The company supplies clayton machine works, steering wheels, and automatic transmission parts. It also provides kit cars, muscle cars, drag racing products, and associated products. The company also provides OEM products for various vehicle manufacturers and serves aftermarket customers in the United States. Made in the USA, the company's core products come with a lifetime warranty.
Joyson Safety Systems, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier in the mobility safety industry, operating as a subsidiary of Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp. The company specializes in products for both active and passive safety systems that are the key to providing our customers with solutions for occupant protection. It offers critical components, systems, and technology to both automotive and non-automotive markets. Its product line encompasses steering wheels, airbag systems, seatbelts, and vision & radar systems.
Personal, founded in 1932, is a shift knob and steering manufacturer based in Corso Venezia, Italy. The company’s product range includes steering wheels, shift knobs, and spare parts. Its services include servicing original equipment for elite cars and reproducing and restoring vintage steering wheels. In March 2005, the company was acquired by Lorenzo Cerofolin and has been a supplier for car brands such as Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and many others ever since.
Longacre Racing Products, founded in 1978 and located in Washington, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of racing equipment, measuring tools, and accessories for the performance racing industry. The company manufactures a wide range of racing gauges and testing gear, including tire pressure gauges, valve spring testers, and tire pressure gauges. It also supplies switches, bulkhead connectors, and battery disconnets and accessories. The company's customers include professional racers and individual racing enthusiasts. It supplies its products through a network of national and international dealers and distributors.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Lokar |
38.3%
|
2 | Longacre Racing Products |
21.5%
|
3 | Personal |
21.1%
|
4 | Joyson Safety Systems |
19.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the steering wheel 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 | 2 | 100.0% |