The Blind Spot Boom: Why ADAS and Visibility Tech Are the Next Hot Investment

The automotive industry is at a crossroads. As SUVs and trucks dominate roads—accounting for 12% of U.S. market share growth since 2000—their design trends are eroding driver visibility, particularly in reverse and low-speed maneuvers. A

study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveals that modern SUVs have up to 58% less forward visibility than their 1997 counterparts, with rear visibility suffering similarly due to taller hoods, bulky side mirrors, and aggressive styling. This decline has deadly consequences: pedestrian fatalities rose by 37% and cyclist deaths by 42% since 2000. In this environment, automotive safety technologies like backup cameras, sensors, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are no longer optional—they're existential. Here's why investors should pay attention.

The Visibility Crisis: Why SUVs Are Blinded by Their Own Design

SUVs are built for size and style, not sightlines. The 2022 Honda CR-V, for instance, offers just 28% visibility of the area 33 feet in front of the vehicle—a 62% drop from its 1997 model. This is due to:
1. Elevated hoods and bulky mirrors, which create massive blind spots.
2. Aerodynamic designs prioritizing sleek curves over driver visibility.
3. Structural safety features, like reinforced pillars, that block sightlines.

The result? A 6-foot blind zone in front of many SUVs, contributing to 70% of non-traffic child fatalities, per advocacy group Kids and Cars. Automakers are scrambling to compensate—and investors should follow their lead.

The Tech Solution: ADAS as the New “Third Eye”

Safety technologies are now the only way to counter these design flaws. Key solutions include:
1. Backup cameras and sensors: Mandatory under the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act (2007), they reduce reversing crashes by 17% (NHTSA).
2. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Detects obstacles in blind spots and stops the vehicle.
3. Multi-camera systems and LiDAR: Enable 360-degree awareness, critical for low-speed maneuvers.

The is projected to grow from $25 billion to $42 billion by 2025, driven by regulatory mandates and consumer demand.

Investment Opportunities: Who's Leading the Visibility Revolution?

1. Tier 1 Suppliers:
2. Continental AG (CON.N): A leader in ADAS sensors and camera systems.
3. Magna International (MGA.TO): Supplies backup camera modules for 80% of U.S. light vehicles.
4. Mobileye (MBLY): Intel's autonomous tech subsidiary dominates vision-based ADAS software.

1. Automakers Betting on Safety:
2. Tesla (TSLA): Integrates cameras into its Autopilot suite, with plans to expand rear-visibility features in Cybertruck.

3. Ford (F): Rolls out AEB and 360-degree cameras across its F-Series trucks and SUVs.

4. Emerging Innovators:

5. Luminar (LAZR): LiDAR specialist partnering with Volvo and Toyota for long-range visibility systems.
6. Zenuity (owned by Veoneer and Volvo): Developing AI-driven blind-spot monitoring.

Risks and Considerations

• Regulatory Overreach: Stricter EU and U.S. mandates could raise costs for suppliers.
• Consumer Reliance: Overconfidence in ADAS may lead to driver complacency.
• Competition: Tech giants like Alphabet (GOOGL) and NVIDIA (NVDA) are entering the space, intensifying rivalry.

Conclusion: Visibility Tech Is a Long-Term Growth Play

The declining visibility of modern vehicles is a structural issue with no easy fix. As SUVs dominate the market and urban traffic complexity grows, demand for ADAS will only rise. Investors should prioritize sensors, software, and supplier stocks positioned to capitalize on this trend. With expected to hit 75%, the blind spot boom isn't just a safety fix—it's a multi-billion-dollar investment opportunity.

Recommendation: Allocate 5–10% of a tech portfolio to ADAS leaders like Mobileye and Continental, while keeping an eye on automakers that integrate these solutions effectively. The road ahead is safer—and more profitable—than ever.