5 Automotive Air Conditioner Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for automotive air conditioners as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 5 automotive air conditioner manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked automotive air conditioner companies as of April, 2024: 1.DBK Group, 2.HELLA GmbH & Co., 3.Old Air Products Inc..
Table of Contents
What Is an Automotive Air Conditioner?
An automotive air conditioner is a system designed to control the temperature and humidity within a vehicle's cabin. It operates by circulating a refrigerant through a closed system, effectively regulating the interior climate for comfort.
The system's core component, the compressor, is powered by the vehicle's engine. In electric vehicles, the heating function may utilize an electric heating element to warm water within the heater core, compensating for the absence of engine waste heat.
Uses of Automotive Air Conditioners
Automotive air conditioners maintain a comfortable cabin temperature and humidity level, similar to residential units. They play a crucial role in preventing window fogging, especially under high humidity conditions or with multiple passengers.
Activating the air conditioner alongside the heater can mitigate window fogging in winter by dehumidifying the cabin air.
Principles of Automotive Air Conditioners
The air conditioning system relies on a refrigerant, often referred to as air conditioning gas, for heat exchange processes. These processes include:
1. Compression
The compressor elevates the refrigerant's pressure and temperature, transitioning it from a gas to a semi-liquid state.
2. Cooling
In the condenser, the semi-liquid refrigerant releases its heat, condensing into a high-pressure liquid.
3. Atomization
Through the expansion valve, the refrigerant is rapidly expanded, resulting in a low-temperature and low-pressure mist.
4. Heat Exchange
This mist moves to the evaporator, where it cools and dehumidifies the air being circulated into the cabin.
Other Information on Automotive Air Conditioners
1. Fuel-Efficient Use
Efficient operation of the automotive air conditioner can impact fuel consumption. Rapid cooling to the desired temperature is more fuel-efficient than prolonged, low-intensity use.
Minimizing sunlight exposure inside the cabin, which contributes to higher temperatures through infrared radiation, can also reduce the need for air conditioning.
2. Types of Air Conditioner Gas
The refrigerant R12, used historically, was phased out by 1995 due to its ozone-depleting properties. Today, HFC134a is common, although it is a potent greenhouse gas. R1234yf is emerging as a more environmentally friendly alternative, with lower global warming potential and no ozone depletion impact, signaling a shift towards more sustainable refrigerants in automotive air conditioning.
List of 5 Automotive Air Conditioner Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Germany
- India
- Japan
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Old Air Products Inc.
Automotive Air Conditioners
Manufacturer Overview
Old Air Products Inc., established in 1989 and located in Lewisville, Texas, is a manufacturer of aftermarket air conditioning systems and parts for classic cars and trucks. The company offers a wide range of air conditioning systems and parts for cars and trucks, including under dash units, hurricane systems, perfect fit systems and easy fit systems. The company’s products are designed to fit and function with the specific needs of the classic vehicles.
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DBK Group
Automotive Heating Solutions
Manufacturer Overview
DBK Group, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Rülzheim, Germany, is a manufacturer of heating & cooling solutions. The company develops electrical components and custom-designed thermal management solutions for multiple industries. It provides electrical heating and cooling solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as provides Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS). The company's EMS services include the entire chain from consultation to production, testing, and shipping while maintaining the quality standards of ISO 13485.
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HELLA GmbH & Co.
Automotive Air Conditioners
Company Overview
Hella GmbH & Co., founded in 1899 and based in Lippstadt, Germany, is a manufacturer of lighting and electronic components and systems for vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers. Its products include sensors, interior lighting, headlamps, actuators, and cockpit electronics. In 1984, its annual sales went over one million deutschmarks for the first time. In 2022, it joined Faurecia to form FORVIA, and together, the two are the world’s seventh-largest automotive supplier. The aftermarket segment caters to garages and the independent aftermarket, while the special applications segment provides products to other groups like boat builders and energy suppliers.
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Automotive Air Conditioner Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DBK Group |
28.6%
|
| 2 | HELLA GmbH & Co. |
20.8%
|
| 3 | Old Air Products Inc. |
19.5%
|
| 4 | Ruia Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. |
15.6%
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| 5 | MAHLE Japan Ltd. |
15.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the automotive air conditioner page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- MAHLE Japan Ltd.: 71,947
Newly Established Company
- Old Air Products Inc.: 1989 (35 years ago)
- Ruia Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.: 1978 (46 years ago)
- MAHLE Japan Ltd.: 1920 (104 years ago)
Company with a History
- MAHLE Japan Ltd.: 1920 (104 years ago)
- Ruia Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.: 1978 (46 years ago)
- Old Air Products Inc.: 1989 (35 years ago)
Automotive Air Conditioner Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Automotive Air Conditioner Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
1 | 25.0% |
Japan
|
1 | 25.0% |
Germany
|
1 | 25.0% |
India
|
1 | 25.0% |
