Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Insights
The global automotive charge air cooler market is projected to offer an impressive growth opportunity and is likely to reach US$ 3,374.3 million in 2024. Organic growth in the automobile production owing to increasing disposable income and growing urbanization; strict government regulations regarding carbon emission reductions and fuel efficiency enhancements, such as CAFÉ Standards; and increasing penetration of turbochargers are some of the major growth drivers of charge air coolers in the automotive industry.

Wish to Get a Free Sample? Click Here
The automotive industry is undergoing the most potentially disruptive decade where stringent government regulations regarding the carbon emission reductions and fuel efficiency enhancements are generating enormous pressure on automakers. Automakers are unraveling it by finding distinct ways. Engine downsizing is one of the prime approaches for achieving such industry needs. Engine downsizing makes the engine hotter but makes the engine more powerful and efficient and give an impetuous growth in the demand for turbochargers in vehicles. This creates a need for effective cooling of charged air through charge air cooler (CAC) (also known as an intercooler).
Hot air entering engine can create a higher combustion temperature, which creates a greater nitrogen oxide formation and increases the thermal load on the engine and related components. Charge air cooler act as a cooling interface, which transforms hot air coming from a turbocharger or a supercharger to cool air entering combustion engine. CACs also contribute towards a reduction in turbo lag and an improvement in engine volumetric efficiency with lower engine displacement.
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Share Analysis

Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Share by Vehicle Type
The global automotive charge air cooler market is segmented based on the vehicle type as Passenger Car, LCV, and M&HCV. Passenger car is expected to remain the growth engine of the global automotive charge air cooler market during the forecast period. The high production of cars coupled with increased adoption of charge air cooler in gasoline engines is driving the segment.
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Share by Type of Inflators
Based on the product type, the automotive charge air cooler market is segmented as Air-Cooled Charge Air Cooler (also known as Air-to-Air Charge Air Cooler) and Liquid-Cooled Charge Air Cooler (also known as Water-Cooled Charge Air Cooler). Air-cooled charge air cooler is expected to remain the dominant product type in the market during the forecast period, whereas liquid-cooled charge air cooler is likely to grow at a faster rate during the same period. Smaller packaging space with reduced duct length, reduction in a pressure loss, an improvement in power and torque delivery, and enhanced efficiency are some of the key whys and wherefores for faster growth of liquid cooled charge air cooler as compared to air-cooled charge air cooler.
Another factor evoking interest towards the usage of a liquid-cooled charge air cooler is its versatility. It can be adjusted in various configurations, such as remote mounting or self-contained and can be integrated into the intake manifold or supercharger housing. On the other hand, an air-cooled charge air cooler is generally mounted standalone in the front of radiator only.
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Share by Fuel Type
Based on the fuel type, the automotive charge air cooler market is segmented as Diesel Engine-based Charge Air Cooler and Gasoline Engine-based Charge Air Cooler. The diesel engine is expected to remain the dominant segment of the automotive charge air cooler market during the forecast period, whereas gasoline engine is expected to witness higher growth during the same period.
Regional Insights
In terms of regions, Asia-Pacific is likely to be the largest automotive CAC market over the next five years. The region is likely to experience the highest growth during the same period. China and India are the growth engine of Asia-Pacific’s market for charge air coolers. Both countries together accounted for more than 60% of the Asia-Pacific’s market and are likely to grow at an impressive double-digit growth rate during the forecast period.
Europe is likely to be the second-largest automotive charge air cooler market during the forecast period, owing to the high penetration of diesel engine vehicles coupled with a greater penetration of turbochargers to address the strict emission norms of European Commission. North America, another considerable region, is also likely to generate a healthy demand for charge air cooler in the coming years, primarily propelled by the USA and Mexico.
Key Players
The supply chain of this market comprises raw material suppliers, charge air cooler manufacturers, system suppliers, automotive OEMs, and dealers. The key automotive charge air cooler manufacturers are Calsonic Kansei Corporation, Denso Corporation, Dana Incorporated, Hanon Systems Mahle GmbH, T.RAD Co., Ltd., and Valeo Group. The development of integrated charge air coolers and the formation of strategic alliances with OEMs and turbocharger suppliers are the key strategies adopted by the key players to gain a competitive edge in the market.
Research Methodology
For calculating the market size, our analysts follow either Top-Bottom or Bottom-Top approach or both, depending upon the complexity or availability of the data points. Our reports offer high-quality insights and are the outcome of detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. We leverage multitude of authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, government sources, trade associations, journals, investor presentation, white papers, and articles to gather the data. More than 10 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts are usually executed to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.
Market Scope & Segmentation
Research Scope
|
Trend & Forecast Period
|
2013-2024
|
Size in 2024
|
US$ 3,374.3 million
|
Forecast
|
8.7% CAGR during 2019-2024
|
Regions Covered
|
North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Rest of the World
|
Countries/Subregions Covered
|
The USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, The UK, Italy, Russia, China, Japan, India, Brazil, Argentina and Others
|
Figures & Tables
|
>150
|
Customization
|
Up to 10% customization available free of cost
|
The market is segmented in the following ways:
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Size, Share & Forecast by Vehicle Type:
- Passenger Car
- Light Commercial Vehicle
- Medium- & Heavy-Duty Vehicle
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Size, Share & Forecast by Product Type:
- Air-Cooled Charge Air Cooler
- Liquid-Cooled Charge Air Cooler
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Size, Share & Forecast by Position Type:
- Standalone CAC
- Integrated CAC
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Size, Share & Forecast by Fuel Type:
Automotive Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Market Size, Share & Forecast by Region:
- North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
- Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
- Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
- Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Argentina, and Others)
Report Features
This comprehensive 230-page report, from Stratview Research, provides a complete analysis of the automotive charge air cooler (CAC) market by providing the maximum number of segmentations. The primary objective of the report is to highlight the most germane opportunities for the market participants that lie ahead across regions. The report analyzes the trend period of the past five years (2013-2018), understand the current market and competitive dynamics, and future market possibilities in order to forecast the market for the period of 2019 to 2024 in terms of both value and volume.
The following are the key features of the report:
- Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
- Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
- Market trend and forecast analysis.
- Market segment trend and forecast.
- Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.
- Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
- Emerging trends.
- Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
- Key success factors.