In automobile manufacturing, polyurethane materials (TDIandMDI) play an important role. They are widely used in polyurethane coatings for automotive exterior body painting to provide a protective coating to prevent damage to the vehicle. In addition, polyurethane foam cushions are also commonly used materials in car seats, providing excellent elasticity and comfort, providing a better experience for riding and driving.
The application of polyurethane materials not only improves the appearance and comfort of the car, but also enhances the durability and aesthetics of the car body, making an important contribution to the improvement of car performance and quality. According to European cars Manufacturers Association (ACEA), The number of new car registrations in Europe continues11months maintained growth, among which sales of pure electric vehicles soared 55% year-on-year55%, while diesel Car deliveries fell by 10% year-on-year. Factors such as rising demand for electric vehicles, improving parts supply and a low sales base have combined to drive the recovery of the European auto market.
Although sales of new cars in Europe have exceeded one million for two consecutive months, gasoline cars and hybrid cars are still the first choice for consumers, but the market share of pure electric cars has surpassed that of diesel cars for the first time. 6In June, the number of registrations of pure electric vehicles in Europe increased significantly, especially in countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands. The number of registrations is close to one million, among which, the sales of the five major European car markets have increased – the United Kingdom (+25.8% ), Germany (+24.8%), Spain (+13.3%), France (+11.5%) and Italy (+9.1%), and the number of new car registrations in the EU reached10010,000 units, a year-on-year increase17.8%.
Graph 1: EU new passenger car registrations in 2021-2023
Data source : ACEA
However, supply chain shortages may still affect the development of the auto manufacturing industry. While some automakers are working to reduce order backlogs, supply chain issues could return as demand for electric vehicles surges. Therefore, the outlook for the European auto industry is somewhat uncertain.
According to the data released by ACEA, in the first half of the year, the cumulative number of new car registrations in Europe increased year-on-year17.6%to659million vehicles, which shows that the European auto industry is re-emphasizing�Recovering from supply disruptions caused by the epidemic. However, new car sales in Europe are still below2019 pre-pandemic levels. GlobalDataAnalyst forecast,2023Western European car market sales will reach110000000 in 2019, but still below2019 The level before the new crown epidemic. The market rebound brought about by the easing of the supply shortage may gradually weaken in the second half of the year. Market competition will become a major factor, and automakers need to be more flexible to respond to market changes.
To sum up, polyurethane materials play an integral role in automobile manufacturing, providing protective coatings and comfortable seats for cars. The European auto market is gradually recovering, and the demand for pure electric vehicles has surged, but it still faces challenges in the supply chain and market competition. Automakers need to continue to innovate to meet consumer demand and stand out from the competition. As production and sales increase in an all-round way, the demand and usage of polyurethane will also increase simultaneously.