In recent years the cabin air filter sector has been the only part of the European filter replacement market to consistently achieve annual growth rates well in excess of 10%. Filter experts Sogefi say that this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, offering excellent profit potential to motor trade businesses.

For every 100 new cars sold in Europe today, 97 come with cabin air filters as standard, regardless of whether or not they are equipped with air conditioning. This development has had a significant knock-on effect on the aftermarket business. Cars equipped with cabin air filters now account for 85% of the total European car parc and this proportion is set to increase even further in coming years.

Figures from GiPA, a leading provider of automotive aftermarket sales data in France, gives a good sense of what is happening. A total of 3.3 million cabin air filters were sold there in 2011. This increased by a third to 4.4 million units in 2013 and the forecast is for continued growth. 

Andrea Taschini, General Manager of Sogefi's Aftermarket Business Unit, says, “The public's growing awareness of the dangers of environmental pollution and the health benefits of frequent filter changes underpin growth in demand for replacement cabin air filters.”

Sogefi Group believes it is the ideal partner for those who want to seize the growth opportunities offered by cabin air filters. The company is a leading exponent of designing and manufacturing high performance cabin air filters for both the original equipment and aftermarket sectors.

Sogefi Aftermarket has a comprehensive stock list of almost 300 cabin air filter part numbers, with 50 new part numbers introduced in 2013 alone. Between them, these provide an impressive 95% coverage of the European car parc. This coverage is offered by very well respected filter brands, Fram®, CoopersFiaam and Purflux brands.

Under these brands, Sogefi, offers the aftermarket two types of filter which correspond to Original Equipment specifications. Pollen air filters screen out all particles larger than 40 microns, including bacteria, pollen and exhaust gases, while activated carbon filters use an active carbon layer between two layers of non-woven fibres to screen out odours as well as particles.

Cabin air filter replacement is generally a quick and easy job for the service mechanic and should be part of all annual servicing.