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Automotive Steering Knuckle Market Size
The global automotive steering knuckle market size was valued at USD 7 billion in 2024 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.4% between 2025 and 2034. The growth of the market can be attributed to the rising shift towards EV, especially in North America and Asia Pacific. According to Statista, in 2023, the EV market reached a total revenue of USD 769.3 billion with China and the U.S. making up about 70% of the global revenue in 2023 and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 25% by 2029.
EVs require distinct engineering compared to traditional ICE vehicles, focusing on reducing weight, improving powertrain efficiency, and boosting overall performance. Automakers are increasingly using lightweight materials such as aluminum and high-strength steel in components such as steering knuckles. These materials help reduce the vehicle's weight, which in turn enhances energy efficiency and extends the range of EVs, directly contributing to improved battery performance.
Report Attributes | Details |
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Base Year: | 2024 |
Market Size in 2024: | USD 7 Billion |
Forecast Period: | 2025 to 2034 |
Forecast Period 2025 to 2034 CAGR: | 4.4% |
2034 Value Projection: | USD 10.7 Billion |
Historical Data for: | 2021 – 2024 |
No. of Pages: | 175 |
Tables, Charts & Figures: | 200 |
Segments covered: | Vehicle, Material, Manufacturing Process, Application, Sales Channel |
Growth Drivers: |
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Pitfalls & Challenges: |
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As EV manufacturers work to make vehicles lighter for better fuel economy and to meet CO2 emissions regulations, the demand for lightweight parts, including steering knuckles, is growing. This trend is not just limited to EVs but extends across the industry, where manufacturers are under increasing pressure to comply with stricter environmental standards. Using materials such as aluminum to reduce weight helps lower energy consumption and supports the automotive industry's commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance.
The growing number of aging vehicles on the road and an increase in vehicle ownership globally contribute to the growth of the aftermarket for steering knuckles. As vehicles age, steering knuckles often need replacement due to wear and tear, making the aftermarket a key revenue source for steering knuckle suppliers. In regions with high presence of older vehicles such as North America and Europe, the demand for steering knuckles for maintenance and repair is rising. Additionally, more consumers customizing their vehicles, opting for performance upgrades that include replacing steering knuckles for better handling and durability.
Automotive Steering Knuckle Market Trends
Technological innovations, such as ADAS, autonomous driving technologies, and zonal electrical architecture, are changing vehicle design. Steering knuckles are crucial to these innovations because they must support various systems, such as sensors, suspension systems, and brake. With the integration of ADAS, the need for precise, durable, and lightweight steering knuckles is growing. Modern systems' complexity and the focus on safety and driver control mean steering knuckles must be stronger and more resilient to handle higher stress.
Stricter safety standards and regulations, especially in Europe and North America, are increasing the demand for better steering knuckles. Regulations around crash safety, pedestrian protection, and collision avoidance require components such as steering knuckles to be strong and precisely made. The integration of active safety features into vehicles such as lane-keeping assist and automatic braking, increases the pressure on steering knuckles to perform well under stress. As safety regulations become tougher, manufacturers must produce steering knuckles that can withstand higher levels of force and meet more rigorous testing standards.
Aftermarket providers are emphasizing on enhancing the customer experience through launch of e-commerce websites. For instance, in May 2024, Select Automotive, a UK-based supplier of automotive components to the vehicle aftermarket sector launched SteeringKnuckle.co.uk, a retail e-commerce website focused on offering a selection from company’s steering knuckle range. The website is designed to be user friendly allowing customers to identify the correct parts and checkout using a range of convenient payment methods. Currently, it features parts for Audi, Ford, Seat, VW and Skoda with plans to add more brands.
Raw materials such as aluminum, steel, and magnesium are essential for making automotive steering knuckles. Disruptions in the global supply chain, geopolitical issues, and natural disasters can cause these material prices to fluctuate, raising production costs for manufacturers. For instance, during the pandemic, supply chain issues increased material costs and delayed parts delivery, making it hard for manufacturers to meet demand on time. This unpredictability is a major challenge, especially for smaller manufacturers who lack have the financial flexibility to handle the increase in costs.
Automotive Steering Knuckle Market Analysis
Based on vehicle, the market is divided into passenger cars, commercial vehicles and off-road vehicles. In 2024, the passenger cars segment held a market share of over 65% and is expected to cross USD 6 billion by 2034. As consumers prefer more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles, passenger cars are being designed with lightweight components, driving demand for lighter steering knuckles. The trend is especially strong in EVs, which require lightweight parts to extend battery life and improve range.
Additionally, advancements in autonomous driving and ADAS, passenger cars are leading to more sophisticated safety features in cars. This increases the need for high-performance steering knuckles to support various safety features including collision detection, lane-keeping assist, and active suspension systems.
Based on material, the automotive steering knuckle market is categorized into cast iron, steel, aluminum, and others. The cast iron segment held a market share of around 40% in 2024. Cast iron remains a popular material for steering knuckles due to its cost-effectiveness and durability under high stress. It offers the strength needed for heavier vehicles such as trucks, making it widely used in commercial vehicles and high-performance applications.
Furthermore, cast iron is also easy to manufacture and is readily available, making it a reliable choice for automakers looking for efficient, cost-effective mass production. Its use in steering knuckles is especially significant in regions such as North America and Europe, where it is a standard for various vehicle types.
Asia Pacific automotive steering knuckle market accounted for 40% of the revenue share in 2024. Asia Pacific, especially countries such as India, South Korea, and Japan are witnessing growth in vehicle production and sales. This growth is increasing the demand for steering knuckle due to higher domestic use and exports. Governments in China and India are offering tax rebates, subsidies, and investing in infrastructure to promote EV adoption.
As EV production grows, manufacturers need lightweight and efficient steering knuckles made from aluminum or magnesium to improve vehicle efficiency and battery range. China, the largest market for EVs, is rapidly shifting to electric vehicles, boosting the demand for lightweight steering knuckles. Chinese automakers are focusing on reducing vehicle weight to enhance energy efficiency and battery range, supported by China's efforts to cut carbon emissions.
European countries are enforcing strict emission standards, pushing automakers to create more efficient vehicles. To meet these regulations, automakers are using lightweight steering knuckles made from aluminium or high-strength steel to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency. Europe is also moving towards electric mobility, with many countries aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2050. This shift to EVs increases the need for lightweight, energy-efficient components such as steering knuckles to improve vehicle range and battery life.
In North America, the demand for pickup trucks and SUVs is growing. These larger vehicles need strong steering knuckles made from cast iron or high-strength steel for better handling and support. Furthermmore, the region also has presence of older vehicles still in use, leading to a steady demand for replacement parts, including steering knuckles. As these vehicles age, parts including the steering knuckle need to be replaced for maintenance and safety, driving demand in the automotive aftermarket sector, especially for light trucks and sedans.
Automotive Steering Knuckle Market Share
Continental AG and Benteler hold a market share of over 5% in the automotive steering knuckle industry. Continental is leveraging its expertise in lightweight materials to produce steering knuckles that reduce overall vehicle weight. This supports the industry's move towards fuel efficiency and electric vehicles (EVs). They are focusing on developing aluminum and high-strength steel knuckles to meet the growing demand for lighter automotive parts. This helps the company to maintain a significant presence in the automotive steering knuckle market.
Benteler is expanding in key markets such as Asia Pacific and North America. They are building new production facilities and expanding existing planst to meet the increasing demand for automotive parts in these regions. The company is committed to sustainability, focusing on the recyclable materials and energy-efficient manufacturing processes for steering knuckles. This aligns with the increasing regulatory focus on sustainability in automotive production.
Automotive Steering Knuckle Market Companies
Major players operating in the automotive steering knuckle industry include:
- Benteler
- Bharat Forge
- Bosch
- Continental
- Dana
- Magna International
- MAT Foundry
- Nexteer Automotive
- Thyssenkrupp
- ZF Friedrichshafen
Automotive Steering Knuckle Industry News
- In November 2024, Steel Strips Wheels (SSWL) launched its new product, the Aluminum Steering Knuckle, in the automotive component sector. The product is aimed at the domestic market, and the company has started commercial production at its facility in Mehsana, Gujarat.
- In November 2024, Nissan announced that its Cantabria plant would produce the steering knuckle and rear knuckle for the new Nissan Kicks, which is made in Mexico for the Americas market. This project will add over 526,000 parts annually to the plant's output, totaling more than 5,700 tons of a new type of iron.
The automotive steering knuckle market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue ($Bn) and shipment (units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:
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Market, By Vehicle
- Passenger cars
- Sedans
- Hatchbacks
- SUVs
- Others
- Commercial vehicles
- Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)
- Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs)
- Off-road vehicles
- Construction equipment
- Mining equipment
Market, By Material
- Cast iron
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Others
Market, By Manufacturing Process
- Casting
- Forging
- Machining
- Others
Market, By Application
- Front steering knuckle
- Rear steering knuckle
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
- Australia
- South Korea
- Southeast Asia
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- MEA
- UAE
- South Africa
- Saudi Arabia
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