Automotive Brake Components AfterMarket - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Automotive Brake Components Aftermarket is projected to expand from USD 37.79 Billion in 2025 to USD 55.61 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.65%. This sector encompasses the secondary distribution and installation of essential replacement hardware, such as pads, rotors, calipers, and shoes, which are necessary following the initial vehicle purchase. Growth is primarily fuelled by an aging global vehicle fleet and rising annual mileage, both of which necessitate regular maintenance and parts replacement, ensuring steady consumption of friction materials and hydraulic components largely independent of new vehicle manufacturing cycles.

A major hurdle slowing market growth is the industry's pivot toward electric vehicles equipped with regenerative braking, a technology that greatly extends the life of friction parts and lowers replacement frequency. According to the Auto Care Association, sales in the United States light-duty automotive aftermarket hit 413.7 billion dollars in 2024, highlighting the immense economic scope of the service sector. Despite this massive scale, manufacturers face the ongoing challenge of increased component durability, which threatens to limit future volume growth in traditional wear categories.

Market Drivers

The increasing average age of the global vehicle fleet serves as a fundamental catalyst for the brake components aftermarket, driving the need for frequent replacement of high-wear parts. As vehicles stay on the road longer, the natural deterioration of hydraulic and friction systems forces owners to fund repairs to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. With older vehicles typically out of warranty, service preferences shift to independent aftermarket providers for cost-efficient maintenance of components like calipers and rotors; for instance, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported in April 2024 that the average age of cars in the United Kingdom reached a record 9.0 years, guaranteeing a steady baseline of demand for deep mechanical repairs.

Concurrently, the growing global vehicle parc directly boosts the volume requirements for braking hardware, as new registrations - especially in emerging markets - enlarge the addressable market once these vehicles reach their prime replacement age. Data from the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China released in July 2024 indicated that national motor vehicle ownership hit 440 million units by the end of June 2024, creating a massive recurring revenue opportunity for distributors. Underscoring the financial scale of this demand, O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. reported sales of 4.36 billion dollars in their October 2024 earnings results, reflecting strong consumer consumption of maintenance products.

Market Challenges

The shift toward electric mobility poses a significant barrier to the brake components aftermarket because of fundamental differences in vehicle deceleration mechanics. While internal combustion engines depend exclusively on friction braking, electric vehicles employ regenerative braking systems that capture kinetic energy during deceleration and convert it into stored power, thereby handling the bulk of the braking load. As a result, the mechanical use of hydraulic components and friction materials, such as pads and rotors, is drastically curtailed, allowing these parts to last significantly longer than standard replacement intervals.

This technological evolution interrupts the consistent replacement cycles that the aftermarket relies on for steady revenue generation. As electric vehicles gain traction in the secondary market, the frequency of service for wear-and-tear items declines, impacting sales volumes for both manufacturers and service providers. For example, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders noted in 2024 that the used vehicle sector experienced a sharp rise in activity, with sales of used battery electric vehicles climbing 57.4 percent to a record 188,382 units; as this segment grows, demand for traditional replacement braking hardware is expected to face continued downward pressure.

Market Trends

The acceleration of e-commerce and digital sales channels is transforming the distribution landscape of the brake components aftermarket, especially within the professional installer sector. Distributors and retailers are prioritizing investments in proprietary digital platforms to optimize B2B ordering, enabling repair shops to locate and purchase parts with enhanced speed and precision. This technological integration is vital for reducing service bay downtime and ensuring recurring commercial revenue; notably, AutoZone, Inc. reported in September 2024 that domestic commercial sales rose by 10.9 percent over the prior year, highlighting the effectiveness of digital strategies in gaining market share.

At the same time, the move toward environmentally friendly friction materials is forcing manufacturers to revamp production methods to satisfy rigorous environmental standards and sustainability objectives. In addition to complying with regulations requiring copper-free formulations, companies are actively refining their manufacturing footprints to lower the carbon intensity of braking hardware and improve resource efficiency. This trend fosters innovation in material science and circular economy practices, as evidenced by Brembo's April 2024 sustainability report, which noted a 9.5 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per unit of finished product, demonstrating the industry's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

Key Players Profiled in the Automotive Brake Components Aftermarket

• Akebono Brake Industry Co. Ltd.
• ABS Friction Inc.
• Baer Inc.
• BorgWarner Inc.
• Brembo SpA
• Carlisle Companies Inc.
• Continental AG
• Disc Brakes Australia Pty. Ltd.
• First Brands Group
• Freeman Automotive UK Ltd.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Automotive Brake Components Aftermarket has been segmented into the following categories:

• Automotive Brake Components Aftermarket, by Product Type
• Disc Brakes
• Drum Brakes
• Automotive Brake Components Aftermarket, by Vehicle Type
• Passenger Vehicles
• Commercial Vehicles
• Automotive Brake Components Aftermarket, by Sales Channel
• Online
• Offline
• Automotive Brake Components Aftermarket, 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 Brake Components Aftermarket.

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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