ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The automotive electronics market is primed for outsourcing, Jabil Circuit CEO Tim Main said in an interview published this week.

Main told Forbes.com that the combination of higher electronics content in vehicles and “an intense need” for auto makers and their suppliers to cut costs bodes well for “great long-term growth.”
According to Main, less than 10% of automotive electronics are currently outsourced. The value of the captive market is about $50 billion, Main estimates.

He declined to offer a growth estimate but said he would not be surprised if the segment showed double-digit returns in the near term.

He added that consumer electronics makes up $2 billion in sales for Jabil and is the EMS firm’s largest segment, yet its vertical nature suggests “tremendous” opportunities for outsourcers.