Market development

The number of vehicles equipped with ESC has increased steadily. In the first half of 2008, the share of newly registered passenger cars in Europe equipped with ESC rose to 53 percent. In addition, the latest installation rate data shows that worldwide just under every third newly registered vehicle is equipped with ESC at present. That acceptance of ESC will continue to increase in the years to come as well. While in the premium and medium car segment ESC has long been considered a standard safety fitment, in small cars ESC is usually offered as an option or not available at all. However, ESC is just as important for small cars as for larger vehicles. Buyers should therefore be sure to ask for the safety system as an optional feature if it is not already on board as standard equipment.