The global Four-wheel Steering System market size is projected to reach a value of USD 36.9 billion by 2027 from USD 29.3 billion in 2020 USD 9.5 billion globally in 2020 and is estimated to grow over 7.5% CAGR between 2021 and 2027. Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel (ship, boat) or vehicle (car, motorcycle and bicycles) to follow the desired course. Four wheel steering, 4WS, also called rear-wheel steering or all-wheel steering, provides a means to actively steer the rear wheels during turning maneuvers. It should not be confused with four-wheel drive in which all four wheels of vehicle are powered. Four wheel steering is a method developed in automobile industry for the effective turning of the vehicle, increase the maneuverability and reduce the drivers steering effort. In city driving conditions, the vehicle with higher track width and wheelbase face problems of turning as the space is confined the same problem is faced in low speed cornering. The turning radius is reduced in the four wheel steering of the vehicle which is effective in confined space, in this project turning radius is reduced without changing the dimension of the vehicles. In situations like vehicle parking, low speed cornering and driving in city conditions with heavy traffic in tight spaces, driving is very difficult due to vehicle’s larger track width and wheelbase. When both the front and rear wheels steer toward the same direction, they are said to be in-phase and this produces a kind of sideways movement of the car at low speeds. When the front and rear wheels are steered in opposite direction, this is called anti-phase, counter-phase or opposite-phase and it produces a sharper, tighter turn. Hence, there is a requirement of a mechanism which result in less turning radius and it can be achieved by implementing four wheel steering.

The steering mechanism consists of rack and pinion arrangements which are used to turn the wheels in the front. And a bevel gear arrangement is made just after the steering and power is transmitted through the transfer shaft to the gear box assembly. Then power is transmitted to the rear wheels. Layout/Operation of the system: Two subsystems: Rack and pinion for front and rear, identical geometry and components. Steering column is fitted with 3 bevel gears meshes and transmits power to front and rear rack and pinion. As steering wheel is turned the entire rotation is transferred to front rack and pinion and only half of the rotation is transferred to rear rack and pinion. Ackermann steering mechanism is a geometric arrangement of linkages in the steering of vehicle designed to solve the problem of wheels on the inside and outside of a turn needing of different radii. The intention of Ackermann geometry is to avoid the need for tyres to slip sideways when following the path around a curve. The geometrical solution to this is for all wheels to have their axles arranged as radii of circles with a common centre point. As the rear wheels are fixed, this centre point must be on a line extended from the rear axle. Intersecting the axes of the front wheels on this line as well requires that the inside front wheel is turned, when steering, through a greater angle than the outside wheel. Therefore, these factors will provide major lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market in upcoming years.

Type Outlook

The crab steering segment is expected to dominate the market share in 2020 of global four-wheel steering system market. The most effective type of steering, this type has all the four wheels of the vehicle used for steering purpose. In a typical front wheel steering system the rear wheels do not turn in the direction of the curve and thus curb on the efficiency of the steering. Normally this system is not been the preferred choice due to complexity of conventional mechanical four wheel steering systems. However, a few cars like the Honda Prelude, Nissan Skyline GT-R have been available with four wheel steering systems, where the rear wheels turn by an angle to aid the front wheels in steering. However, these systems had the rear wheels steered by only 2 or 3 degrees, as their main aim was to assist the front wheels rather than steer by themselves. With advances in technology, modern four wheel steering systems boast of fully electronic steer-by-wire systems, equal steer angles for front and rear wheels, and sensors to monitor the vehicle dynamics and adjust the steer angles in real time.

Application Outlook

The heavy commercial vehicle segment is expected to dominate the market share in 2020 of global four-wheel steering market. This is attributed to the fact that rise in demand for safety of vehicle passengers as per government mandates is expected to propel the global four wheel steering market. When a vehicle is equipped with a four-wheel steering system, it transforms a vehicle into all wheel steering or four-wheel steering vehicle. In terms of steering, four-wheel steering vehicles offer multiple benefits over front wheel steering vehicles such as increased safety during turning, reduced steering angle, and reduced steering response time. Increase in demand for comfortable and safe vehicles across the globe is expected to be a key factor boosting the global four-wheel steering system market. The four-wheel steering system offers enhanced stability and enables the driver to avoid potholes and high winds while driving with minimal swaying of the vehicle. t.

Regional Outlook

Europe has presence of several economically stable countries. Majority of key automotive OEMs and aftermarket players including major automakers have strong presence across Europe. Additionally, automotive research institutes across Europe are solely committed to improve automobile safety, performance, and vehicle efficiency to improve the overall dynamics of the vehicle. Therefore, Europe is expected to witness increased demand for four wheel steering systems compared to that in other regions. Additionally, several automakers in Europe are promoting the four-wheel steering system owing to its advantages over traditional steering system in vehicles, which is likely to boost the four-wheel steering system market in the region.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a highest CAGR in the four-wheel steering system during the forecast period. The four wheel steering system can improve the safety rating of a vehicle and minimize the probability of an accident due to rollover or instability. New vehicles equipped with the four-wheel steering system can respond faster when turning and switching lanes. Furthermore, four wheel steering system enables the vehicle to turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels, which enables the driver to complete smaller circular turns at lower speeds. All the factors mentioned above are expected to increase the adoption of the four wheel steering system in automobiles in near future and consequently, drive the global four wheel steering system market.

Key Companies & Recent Developments

Partnerships, strategic mergers, and acquisitions are expected to be the most successful strategies for industry participants to get speedy access to growing markets while also improving technological capabilities. Manufacturers of four wheel steering systems are focusing on developing vehicles that provide comfort. Furthermore, stringent rules and regulations by governments are driving the sales growth of four wheel steering systems.

Market Segmentation of Global Four-wheel Steering System Market

By Type

1. Crab Steering

2. Passive Rear Wheel Steering

3. Articulated Steering

By Application

1. Passenger Vehicle

2. Light Commercial Vehicle

3. Heavy Commercial Vehicle