Asbury Automotive Group’s CEO to highlight dealership’s role at upcoming Automotive News Congress

The market for multilayer ceramic capacitors used in vehicles is poised for significant expansion, thanks to advances in miniaturisation, safety systems, and global supply chain shifts, with Asia-Pacific leading the charge.The market for multilayer ceramic capacitors, or MLCCs, used in automotive electronics, is really showing some strong growth these days. It’s mainly fueled by big technological shifts and the way vehicle electrification is changing. In fact, the sector was valued at about $12.8 billion in 2024, and it’s expected to grow to nearly $19.7 billion by 2032. That’s a compound annual growth rate—CAGR—of around 6.5%. This upward trend basically highlights how crucial MLCCs are in stabilizing semiconductor functions and managing power signals, especially given the more and more complex electronic systems in today’s cars. Now, MLCCs are pretty much essential passive components in vehicles because they pack a high capacitance punch and can withstand tough automotive environments. A typical modern vehicle is estimated to have somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 of these units—way more than the roughly 1,000 capacitors you’d find in high-end smartphones. This huge number actually points to how dominant the automotive industry is in the MLCC market. And especially with electric vehicles—well, those numbers jump even higher. For EVs, you’re looking at upwards of 10,000 MLCCs per car, due to their complex power management, battery inverters, and advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS. Asia-Pacific is leading the charge when it comes to this market. It controls over half of the global share, with China alone making up about 32%. Japan, on the other hand, is a big player as well, being the top exporter of finished vehicles—shipping roughly 3.5 million units in 2022, which shows its strong position in supply chains for components like MLCCs. Government push for electrification and hybrid tech in this region has definitely helped boost demand here. As a result, the CAGR for Asia-Pacific’s automotive industry is forecasted at about 7.6% through 2033, making it a vital engine for growth in the overall MLCC ecosystem. Another important factor driving this market forward is the rise of ADAS. Vehicles with things like collision avoidance and lane-keeping aid, and even autonomous driving features, need high-reliability MLCCs that meet industry standards like AEC-Q200 certification. Usually, these systems use between 500 and 800 specialized MLCCs each, and in premium vehicles, that number can be even higher. Globally, safety regulations are pushing automakers to include more of these gadgets, which keeps the demand for capacitors that are durable and can perform well even under tough conditions, pretty steady. In response to these needs, manufacturers are also innovating in miniaturisation. Packages that used to be 0603 (that’s a size code for surface-mount devices) are now shrinking down to 0201 and even smaller sizes. And, interestingly enough, they’re doing this without sacrificing capacitance strength. Big players like Murata Manufacturing, TDK, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and Taiyo Yuden are at the forefront, developing ultra-compact, high-capacitance MLCCs that can handle higher temperatures and voltages. These advances allow for better component density on circuit boards, meaning the cars can feature more sophisticated functions without taking up more space. Material science is also making big waves here. Technologies like atomic layer deposition are helping improve dielectric layer uniformity and increase capacitance density—pretty handy for next-gen MLCCs. Plus, manufacturers have ramped up production in North America and Europe to reduce lead times, especially as global supply chains have faced disruptions lately. These moves help them stay responsive and competitive. As for the market landscape, it’s pretty competitive but somewhat oligopolistic—mostly dominated by Japanese and Korean firms. Murata, for example, holds nearly 40% of the worldwide market by leveraging its technological edge and strong partnerships with OEMs. TDK and Samsung also hold sizable shares and are pushing forward with innovations in miniaturization and reliability. Newer Chinese companies like Holy Stone and Walsin Technology are entering the scene as well, mainly competing on price and production scale, backed by government R&D investments. Established players are countering by localising their production and bolstering their high-temperature, high-voltage MLCC portfolios, which are essential for EVs, ADAS, and connected car systems. Looking ahead, the growth of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication and 5G connectivity in cars promises to open up new markets for RF-optimized MLCCs that deliver high-Q stability across broad frequency ranges. It’s pretty interesting, right? These emerging applications give MLCC makers more room to innovate and grab market share. All in all, the automotive MLCC market seems set for sustained expansion. Factors like vehicle electrification, smarter safety systems, miniaturisation, and improving communication tech will keep fueling growth. With ongoing advances in materials and manufacturing, and strategic expansions globally, MLCC suppliers are in a good position to meet the increasing demands of both the aftermarket and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) well into the next decade. Source: Noah Wire Services

The global market for automotive edge controllers is experiencing a rapid growth, driven by advancements in vehicle data processing, AI integration, and connected vehicle ecosystems, with projections reaching over USD 31 billion by 2030.The market for automotive edge controllers is seeing quite an impressive boom across the globe, really. It’s fueled by the rising trend of integrating advanced computing units into vehicles to handle the enormous amount of data coming from various sensors like cameras, radar, lidar, and CAN buses. According to HTF Market Intelligence, the worldwide demand for these controllers is projected to grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of about 22.1% from 2025 through 2030. This surge reflects the expanding need for tech that powers features like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), self-driving capabilities, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and just generally more software-defined vehicle architectures. So, what are automotive edge controllers exactly? Well, they’re crucial because they allow vehicles to process huge amounts of data in real time—right at the edge, inside the vehicle itself. This is pretty helpful, especially as cars become more software-centered. In fact, key industry players—think Bosch, Continental, Denso, ZF Friedrichshafen, Aptiv, Magna, along with major semiconductor companies like Infineon, Texas Instruments, and NXP—are pouring a lot of investment into this space. A notable trend is shifting away from the traditional multiple independent electronic control units (ECUs) to more integrated domain and zonal controllers, which, honestly, makes systems more efficient and better connected. Looking at the market dynamics, it’s clear that several factors are fueling this growth. First off, the increased adoption of ADAS tech in vehicles from Level 2 to Level 4 autonomy. Then, there’s the widespread rollout of 5G networks, making connected vehicle ecosystems more robust. Plus, the rise in electric vehicles (EVs), which often rely on software-heavy control systems, plays a significant role. Not to mention, the expansion of V2X infrastructure supports all sorts of use cases—whether it’s telematics, fleet management, or EV platform integration. North America is currently leading the charge, but Asia Pacific is catching up rapidly, mainly driven by more automakers ramping up production and embracing new tech. Other sources tend to agree that this growth trend isn’t just hype. For example, Mordor Intelligence predicts the automotive edge computing market will grow from around USD 12.7 billion in 2025 to over USD 31.36 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of roughly 19.82%. This growth is driven by an explosion of vehicle-generated data and the need for real-time processing to meet safety regulations. Then there’s Research and Markets, which paints an even more optimistic picture—estimating a CAGR of about 32.4% from 2025 to 2031. They attribute this to widespread adoption of AI, better cybersecurity measures, and more connected vehicle solutions. All these AI elements are pretty critical for decision-making in autonomous and semi-autonomous cars, after all. The market for AI accelerators within automotive edge controllers is also growing fast. Grandview Research estimates that this segment reached nearly USD 1.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed USD 10 billion by 2030. The addition of AI acceleration boosts the computational capabilities, which is vital for complex machine learning algorithms that address safety, navigation, and predictive maintenance functions. However, it’s not all smooth sailing. There are some hurdles the market faces—like high R&D costs and the complex supply chains for semiconductors needed for these controllers. Managing heat and ensuring reliability in the tough conditions inside a vehicle are also technical challenges. Plus, regulatory uncertainties surrounding autonomous vehicle systems, along with growing consumer concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity, act as restraints. Not to forget, the cost sensitivity in mass-market vehicles means manufacturers have to balance performance with affordability. Looking ahead, some promising opportunities could come from deeper collaborations between automakers and semiconductor giants like NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Intel, and NXP. These partnerships might help speed up innovation and deployment of new edge controller tech. Standardization across manufacturers and aligning regulations globally will be crucial for continued growth. As the market develops, it’s also likely that more focus will shift beyond passenger cars to include commercial vehicles, where telematics, fleet management, and powertrain control systems create plenty of demand. All in all, the outlook for the automotive edge controller market over the coming decade looks very positive. It’s driven by rapid technological advances, regulatory pressures, and the ongoing shift toward software-centric vehicle architectures. For industry stakeholders—think OEMs, logistics companies, distributors, repair shops, and fleet managers—keeping an eye on these developments will be essential. They’ll want to align their investments and partnerships with this fast-changing landscape to stay competitive in the long run. References: - Paragraph 1 – [1], [2], [3] - Paragraph 2 – [1], [3] - Paragraph 3 – [1], [2], [5] - Paragraph 4 – [3], [7] - Paragraph 5 – [1], [5] - Paragraph 6 – [1], [3], [5] - Paragraph 7 – [1], [2], [3], [7] Source: Noah Wire Services

Asbury Automotive Group shows resilience with solid service revenue and positive stock growth, but a recent FTC lawsuit accusing discriminatory practices introduces new uncertainties for the company's future trajectory.Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG) has shown pretty steady operational resilience and, honestly, a moderate performance in the stock market over the past few years—despite all the ongoing challenges that hit the automotive industry. The company’s mainstay service and maintenance operations continue to do well, offering a pretty reliable income stream, which in turn helps cushion against the ups and downs of new car sales. Over the last year, Asbury’s shares have gone up by roughly 7%, which indicates some investor confidence—though, of course, worries about tariffs that could impact overall vehicle sales and cut into profits are lingering. Well, those concerns seem to temper their optimism just a bit. Looking at the long-term picture, data shows that Asbury has pretty much grown over time; for example, in 2023, its stock performance increased by about 25.51%, and in 2022, it was up around 3.77%. This upward trend over its 23 years of trading suggests that the company has managed to adapt and grow despite facing economic headwinds. I mean, this growth isn’t just luck—it signals that the company’s solid operations, plus the wider market environment that favors established automotive retail and service firms (especially those branching into aftermarket maintenance), really seem to be working in its favor. That said, there’s a significant legal hurdle right now that could introduce some uncertainty about its reputation and how it operates day-to-day. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Asbury, accusing the company of discriminatory practices at three dealerships in Texas. The allegations revolve around claims that Black and Latino customers were consistently charged higher prices and faced additional, unauthorized add-on charges. Specifically, Black customers supposedly paid about $298 more on average, and Latino customers about $214 more, than white customers for similar services. The FTC further reports that up to 75% of customers at these locations encountered these unauthorized charges. Asbury, however, strongly denies these charges and has said it plans to fight the lawsuit wholeheartedly. Now, from a supply chain and aftermarket perspective, these kinds of legal developments are pretty important for lots of players involved—OEMs, logistics firms, service providers—you name it. The FTC’s scrutiny could have wider repercussions for how compliance and customer service are handled across the dealer network. It’s a reminder of how crucial transparent pricing and ethical treatment are if a company wants to keep its brand reputation intact and maintain customer trust. All in all, Asbury Automotive Group remains an interesting and potentially attractive name in the automotive aftermarket field, especially given its strong service business and a history of positive stock performance. But, it’s also important for market folks and investors to keep an eye on the evolving legal and regulatory landscape, because these challenges could very well influence the company's focus and how it’s perceived by the public down the line. Honestly, it’s pretty interesting, right? Source: Noah Wire Services