Interview : NTN Europe launches its range of replacement automotive sensors

Automotive sensors have become essential elements in the technological chain underpinning modern mobility. They collect and transmit data that is crucial to vehicle safety, performance and regulatory compliance.

With the transition to electromobility, increased connectivity and automation, the sensor market is experiencing sustained growth, driven by constant innovation and ever more demanding requirements. This strategic development reflects the profound changes facing the automotive industry today.

In response, NTN Europe is launching its range of sensors to meet market demand and offer its customers a wider range of spare parts. Amélie PAVIET (EMEA Marketing & Communication Director) and Vincent POURROY-SOLARY (Project leader R&D) discuss their views.

Automotive sensors are experiencing significant growth. How do you explain this dynamic?

Amélie PAVIET: The automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation. Vehicles are becoming smarter, cleaner and more connected. To make these advances possible, sensors are essential. They enable the vehicle to perceive its environment, optimise its performance and meet new regulatory standards. Today, we're talking about 70 to 100 sensors in an electric vehicle, and up to 200 for a latest-generation autonomous model. This represents a huge technological, environmental and quantitative leap forward.

How does this development represent an opportunity for NTN Europe?

Amélie PAVIET: Historically, NTN has been renowned for its precision mechanical components, particularly bearings. But with the digitalisation of vehicles, integrating sensors into our offering has become a strategic necessity. Launching a dedicated aftermarket range enables us to meet growing demand and broaden our value proposition for the aftermarket.

What types of sensor do you currently offer at NTN Europe?

Amélie PAVIET: NTN Europe supplies magnetic targets that are integrated into more than half of the wheel bearings used in the original equipment market. These targets are read to measure wheel rotation speed. A pioneer in this technology in the 1990s with the SNR brand, we developed ASB (Active Sensor Bearing) technology. Since then, we have strengthened our expertise in rotation measurement by developing optimised magnetic targets, combined with a standard sensor and reliable signal processing.

Today, we also offer a wide range of sensors (engine management, exhaust regulation, tyre pressure, thermal management, CO₂ emissions management, etc.), with over 1,500 references to ensure vehicle maintenance, comfort and safety.

What are the major technological challenges facing sensors today?

Vincent POURROY SOLARI: There are many. There is, of course, miniaturisation, which means that more sensors can be integrated without impacting on the overall architecture of the vehicle. But also the capacity for local data processing: intelligent sensors now incorporate microcontrollers and can interpret signals directly. Next, communication is becoming central, with the rise of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), which enables sensors to interact in real time with their environment.

What are the underlying trends you see over the next few years?

Vincent POURROY SOLARI: The most striking trend is the integration of signal processing into the sensors themselves and artificial intelligence. This means faster processing and dynamic adaptation to the environment. Sustainability also comes into play: materials must be recyclable, products designed to last, and their environmental impact reduced.

What role does NTN Europe intend to play in this new era of sensors?

Amélie PAVIET: We want to be a key technology partner. Our approach is comprehensive, with solutions tailored to the needs of the aftermarket. It's a strategy consistent with our vision of the cleaner, safer, more efficient mobility of the future.

Automotive sensors are a key driver of innovation in the automotive industry today. Their role, at the heart of safety, performance and sustainability requirements, is growing with the rise of electric, connected and autonomous vehicles.

The fast-growing market is driven by major technological advances that are redefining standards and user expectations. In this demanding context, NTN Europe is asserting its position as a key player, offering sensor solutions adapted to the needs of the original equipment and aftermarket, while anticipating future developments.

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