U.S. Turbocharger Market to Jump 45% This Year

Sales of turbocharged vehicles will surge to 3.2 million units this year from 2.2 million in 2011, predicts Honeywell International Inc. The company says turbocharged passenger vehicles will account for 85% of the increase.

Honeywell, which says it has more than 500 active turbocharger programs worldwide, notes that carmakers are turning to smaller turbocharged engines to improve fuel economy without sacrificing power when needed. The company cites industry data indicating the average engine displacement in the U.S. will drop from 3.6 liters in 2007 to 2.9 liters in 2016.

Turbocharger penetration in non-diesel engines in the U.S. has jumped from 2% to nearly 10% in the past three years and is likely to approach 24% by 2017, according to LMC Automotive.