Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market is projected to expand from USD 43.12 Billion in 2025 to USD 57.00 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 4.76%. As a critical powertrain element, the connecting rod transforms the reciprocating motion of the piston into the rotary motion of the crankshaft to propel the vehicle. Market progression is chiefly underpinned by sustained requirements for internal combustion engine vehicles in developing nations and the continued dependence on commercial vehicles for logistics, which demand the high torque characteristics of conventional engines. Furthermore, the aging global vehicle fleet generates a consistent revenue stream for the aftermarket sector through necessary engine overhauls and component replacements.

One major obstacle retarding market growth is the swift global shift toward battery electric vehicles, which entirely remove the internal combustion engine. Despite this fundamental change, the volume of traditional automobile manufacturing remains significant, effectively maintaining demand for these components. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers indicates that cumulative automobile production in China hit 31.28 million units in 2024. This strong manufacturing output demonstrates that the assembly of conventional and hybrid vehicles continues to drive substantial orders for connecting rods.

Market Drivers

The escalation in global vehicle production and sales volumes acts as the primary propellant for connecting rod manufacturing. As original equipment manufacturers increase output to satisfy consumer demand, the need for internal combustion engines remains high, resulting in direct component orders. Although electrification is growing, the vast scale of gasoline and diesel engine production in emerging markets guarantees a persistent requirement for powertrain parts. For instance, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers reported in their April 2024 'Flash Report' that domestic passenger vehicle sales achieved a record 4.21 million units in the 2023-24 fiscal year. This uptick in vehicle assembly mandates a corresponding supply of connecting rods for multi-cylinder engines, thereby upholding production lines and generating steady demand for forged and cast iron products.

Furthermore, the growth of the heavy-duty and commercial vehicle sectors acts as a vital catalyst for the market, especially regarding high-strength steel connecting rods. These vehicles, which rely heavily on high-torque diesel engines for construction and logistics, demand robust powertrain systems capable of enduring immense cylinder pressure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association's 'Commercial Vehicle Registrations' report from November 2024, new van sales in the EU rose by 8.5 percent to 1.17 million units in the first three quarters. Because this segment is less prone to rapid electrification than passenger cars, it offers long-term stability for suppliers. Underscoring the strength of the supply chain catering to these needs, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India noted that the automotive component industry's turnover reached USD 74.1 billion in 2024.

Market Challenges

The accelerated global move toward battery electric vehicles presents a major structural barrier to the connecting rod market's growth. This difficulty stems from the inherent difference in powertrain design; battery electric vehicles rely on electric motors for propulsion rather than internal combustion engines, meaning they do not require crankshafts, pistons, or the connecting rods that join them. As automotive original equipment manufacturers progressively redirect their capital investments and assembly operations toward electric platforms, the relative demand for conventional engine parts is naturally depressed, effectively contracting the addressable market for manufacturers of connecting rods.

Recent production trends in major automotive markets clearly illustrate this displacement of demand. As reported by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the production of new energy vehicles hit 12.89 million units in 2024. This significant figure represents nearly thirteen million vehicles entering the market without requiring a single connecting rod. As the market share of these vehicles grows, the associated decline in orders for internal combustion engine components directly inhibits volume growth in the connecting rod sector, neutralizing gains that would otherwise arise from the general expansion of the global vehicle fleet.

Market Trends

The creation of specialized connecting rods for hybrid powertrains is altering engineering standards as automakers increasingly adopt hybridization to transition from internal combustion to full electrification. Unlike conventional combustion engines, hybrid systems subject connecting rods to unique stress cycles caused by frequent start-stop sequences and the necessity for instant high-torque delivery, requiring components that balance low reciprocating mass with extreme fatigue strength. This continued dependence on advanced internal combustion technology within electrified models guarantees ongoing volume growth for high-specification powertrain parts. According to the Metal Powder Industries Federation's June 2025 'State of the PM Industry in North America - 2025' report, sales of traditional hybrid vehicles rose by approximately 37 percent in 2024, emphasizing the growing importance of combustion-engine mating components in modern fleets.

Simultaneously, the adoption of hollow connecting rod designs to reduce weight is emerging as a key trend, allowing engines to attain improved thermal efficiency and higher rotational speeds. Automakers are increasingly specifying these lightweight, complex components to satisfy rigorous global fuel economy regulations while maintaining the structural durability needed for turbocharged, downsized engines. This move toward precision-engineered, high-value powertrain assemblies is yielding significant returns for component manufacturers equipped to produce such advanced designs. For instance, Linamar Corporation’s March 2025 'Annual Report 2024' indicated that normalized operating earnings for its Mobility segment rose by 30.6 percent over the prior year, fueled by increased content per vehicle and the successful rollout of new propulsion programs employing these sophisticated technologies.

Key Players Profiled in the Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market

• Mahle GmbH
• Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
• Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
• Iwis Motorsysteme GmbH & Co. KG
• Miba AG
• Rheinmetall Automotive AG
• Clevite, Inc.
• Metaldyne Performance Group, Inc.
• KSPG AG
• Molins Engine Components Ltd.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, by Product Type:

• Aluminium Rods
• Steel Rods
• Titanium Rods
• Magnesium Rods

Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, by Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Car
• Light Commercial Vehicles
• Heavy Commercial Vehicle

Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, by Engine Type:

• Four Stroke
• L4
• L6
• V6
• V8 Engines

Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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