Automotive Connecting Rod Market Size - By Material, By Process, By Vehicle, By Sales Channel Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Automotive Connecting Rod Market Size

The global automotive connecting rod market size was valued at USD 40.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2025 and 2034. The automotive connecting rod industry is projected to grow owing to the rapid increase in performance cars. Their increasing need for powerful, fuel-efficient cars has caused manufacturers to focus on high-strength, lightweight, and durable connecting rods.
 

That demand is especially high in sports cars, luxury cars, and electric vehicles. The performance and efficiency in motors are critical. Adding titanium and advanced alloys into the material also increasing the effectiveness of the rods. Moreover, the growing interest in motorbikes also increases the demand for specialized high-performance connecting rods. This trend increases competition and innovation amongst manufacturers, causing overall growth within the market.
 

For instance, according to GMI Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conversion Kit Market size was valued at USD 344.3 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 15% between 2024 and 2032. This high transition to hybrid and electric vehicles is expected to generate demand for automotive connecting rods.
 

Another reason for growth in automotive connecting rods demand is the mass production of electric vehicles (EVs). With the focus from EV manufacturers on motor performance and efficiency, lightweight and durable connecting rods are in demand in the powertrain. The emerging global interest in the US EV market subjects’ companies to stricter performance standards. Because EVs have fewer components than traditional internal combustion engines, the quality of connecting rods is more critical. Their rods serve segments that do not have a very light end of the market. They need to have specialized manufacturing capabilities.
 

Automotive Connecting Rod Market Trends

There is a shift towards two-piece connecting rods in the automotive industry in emerging markets due to their expected performance benefits and higher efficiency. The advantages of such rods are decreased piston rock, increased torque, and increased dynamic compression. Two-piece rods shift the piston’s pivot to allow for more controlled piston movement, which enhances engine durability and power.
 

This technology is gaining attention for its potential to revolutionize both OEM and racing applications. There are some advantages in high-performance EV powertrains that manufacturers are trying to exploit. If patents and prototypes are in the works, then in a few years, this trend might change the whole idea of traditional connecting rods.
 

For example, in October 2023, Transcend Energy Group launched the innovative two-piece connecting rod, Thunder Rod. This invention shifts the actuator's pivot point to the joining rod, allowing the piston to move up and down without sideways motion, thereby decreasing piston rock. The company claims that the Thunder Rod could increase torque and dynamic engine compression by 25-30%. Transcend states that the technology has the potential to change the OEM, racing, and aftermarket business. The company has patented the Thunder Rod and is in the early stages of road testing. It is also planning on displaying it at the SEMA showcase.
 

One of the notable challenges in the automotive connecting rod industry will be the raw material price volatility. Items such as aluminum, steel, and titanium seem essential but are also subject to price variation because of global events, supply disruptions, and other factors. Such cost variations affect pricing strategies and production budgets, thus affecting profit margins for manufacturers. To add, OEM, as well as aftermarket suppliers, struggle to find comparatively cheaper but high-quality materials. To tackle rising raw material prices, many manufacturers might have to opt for creative ways to cut costs while still maintaining quality.
 

Automotive Connecting Rod Market Analysis

Based on the vehicle, the market is segmented into passenger and commercial vehicles. In 2024, the passenger segment accounted for over 80% of the automotive connecting rod market share and is expected to exceed USD 45 billion by 2034.
 

• The automotive connecting rod industry is dominated by the passenger vehicle segment. It was noted that there is an increased demand for vehicle production and efficient and reliable engines. Passenger cars need robust and cost-effective connecting rods to achieve performance and fuel economy goals.
   
• Global sales of cars continue to rise, especially in the emerging markets; consequently, the demand for connecting rods in passenger vehicles is also on the rise.
   
• Additionally, the rising need for lightweight materials and improved engine compression technology increases the demand for specialized connecting rods in this segment. As the focus in the automotive industry shifts towards improved engine performance, the passenger segment continues to dominate the market.
   

Based on the sales channel, the automotive connecting rod market is divided into OEM and aftermarket. The OEM segment held above 85% of the market share in 2024.
 

• OEMs have a bigger share of the automotive connecting rods market since they deal with vehicle assemblers who purchase the entire primary connecting rod system for use in cars as they build them.
   
• They also hold more shares in the automotive connecting rod market because they can provide the specific vehicle components that are needed and are required by each vehicle model after ensuring that these components are produced to the highest standards and are supported by guarantees.
   
• Notwithstanding this, the aftermarket share is increasing rapidly as more cars need new or better parts when they get older. As the world’s population of vehicles increases, especially in the regions where older vehicles are dominant, there is an increased need for aftermarket parts due to their affordability and easier access.
   
• At the same time, the proliferation of the do-it-yourself repair culture, online parts shops as well as wider service networks has made non-branded aftermarket connecting rods easier to obtain. With the growing usage of complex transmission systems, new vehicles like dual-connecting rod or automated manual transmission vehicles, the aftermarket is becoming a major supplier of these parts and services.
   

In 2024, the China automotive connecting rod market accounted for 60% revenue share and is expected to exceed USD 10 billion by 2034.
 

• China is the leader in the automotive connecting rod business due to being the largest car producer and user in the world. The country has a large internal market that is wanted for private and goods vehicles. There is a great demand for different types of automobiles in China’s developing automotive industry owing to the availability of well-established supply chains, cheap production resources, and increasing investments in EV technologies.
   
• Furthermore, China leads the automotive connecting rod market even more due to the increased capital put into advanced materials and manufacturing technology. The combination of demand, innovation, and the scale at which China can manufacture consumer goods all lead to China maintaining a strong position in the marketplace.
   
• The core consumers of the automotive connecting rods market in Europe include manufacturers of passenger cars and commercial vehicles whose activity is fueled by the region’s strong automotive industry. The emphasis placed on advanced performance, fuel economy, and sustainability within the region’s sphere of activity solves the problem of rods for better advanced connecting rods. Innovations in technology in the region also include new materials such as light alloys and forged rods.
   
• Also, Europe’s transition towards electric and hybrid vehicles is impacting the structural design and materials used in the construction of connecting rods.
   
• North America, especially the U.S., is one of the established regions availing the automotive industry with connecting passenger and heavy-duty vehicles. The market is propelled by the demand for durable and reliable connecting rods for electric vehicles (EVs) and high-performance engines.
   
• The developed regions, aided by the strong automotive aftermarkets, ensure continual demand for replacing connecting rods. In this area, manufacturers are also looking for cost-supporting solutions like enhanced efficiency, durability, and weight-reduced engines. Tariffs, regulations, and other trade policies are other factors that affect the market in this area.
   

Automotive Connecting Rod Market Share

Mahle GmbH, Linamar Corporation, and Schaeffler AG collectively held a substantial market share of over 9% in the automotive connecting rod industry in 2024.
 

• The position of Mahle GmbH, Linamar Corporation, and Schaeffler AG in the automotive connecting rod industry is attributable to the company’s experience, technology, and manufacturing facilities.
   
• Because these companies have strong partnerships with many leading OEMs, they have guaranteed demand for their premium quality products. They are foremost in developing new products and technologies around the use of new materials and processes to improve engine performance and fuel economy. Their ability to operate on a large scale allows them to enjoy lower costs and higher profits.
   
• On the other hand, these companies are also allocating resources into R&D for the electric and hybrid vehicle powertrain systems. The fact that they have this geographical footprint, and that they have the ability to keep up with the market changes, will continue to strengthen their position in the market.
   

Automotive Connecting Rod Market Companies

Major players operating in the automotive connecting rod industry are:

• Aisin Seiki
• Bharat Forge
• CP-Carrillo
• Cummins
• Federal-Mogul
• Linamar
• Mahle
• Schaeffler
• Tupy S.A.
   

Global players in the automotive connecting rods sector have focused on various tactics with the intention of increasing their production capacities, broadening the range of products offered, and fortifying their competitive positioning in the automotive connecting rod market. More resources are being directed to sophisticated manufacturing processes, like forging and advanced types of metalworking that use powdered metals, which are necessary for producing connecting rods that are lightweight and strong without sacrificing durability as required by modern engines. In addition, these improvements address the fuel consumption and performance optimization concerns of the automotive sector in the context of more stringent emission controls worldwide.
 

Advanced innovation is directed at material science with the goal of constructing connecting rods of sophisticated alloys, carbon composites, and titanium, which enables considerable reduction of the internal combustion engines’ (ICEs) weight without losing their strength. Such developments are crucial as the automobile industry moves towards lightweight vehicle designs, especially hybrid and EVs. These efforts are in line with the global push towards vehicle electrification.
 

Automotive Connecting Rod Industry News

• In October 2024, American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, AAM India plc, and Bharat Forge Ltd tentatively agreed to a transaction in which Bharat Forge purchased AAM India Manufacturing Corp. The acquisition adds the commercial passenger vehicle axle and rod business in Pune alongside the AAM India Engineering and Development Center in Pune, as well as the AAM India PLC headquarters in Chennai. The acquisition amplifies Bharat Forge’s product and manufacturing strategy since AAM is primarily focused on India. The divestment by AAM, considering its primary market is passenger vehicles, hybrids, and EVs considered globally, becomes important in defining their focus also. It is anticipated that the acquisition will complete in 120 days pending approval from the Competition Commission of India.
   
• In October 2023, Transcend Energy Group introduced a groundbreaking two-piece connecting rod called the Thunder Rod. This innovation moves the pivot point of the piston to the connecting rod, allowing the piston to travel vertically without lateral forces, reducing piston rock. The Thunder Rod enhances engine performance by increasing torque and dynamic compression by 25-30%. Transcend claims the technology could revolutionize the OEM, racing, and aftermarket industries. The company has secured patents for the Thunder Rod and is already testing it on the road, with plans to showcase it at the SEMA show.
   

The automotive connecting rod market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue ($ Mn/Bn) and volume (Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Material

• Steel
• Aluminum
• Titanium
• Composite Materials
• Others

Market, By Process

• Forged connecting rods
• Cast connecting rods
• Powder-Metal connecting rods

Market, By Vehicle

• Passenger vehicles
  • Hatchback
  • Sedan
  • SUV
• Commercial vehicles
  • Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV)
  • Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV)

Market, By Sales Channel

• OEM
• Aftermarket

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Nordics
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa