The automotive connecting rod bearing market, in terms of value, is anticipated to showcase a moderate growth during the period of forecast, 2025 to 2035, across the globe, owing to the factors including growing production of vehicles, increasing aftermarket demand for components pertaining to internal combustion engine (ICE) and consistent demand for light commercial vehicles, passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks.
We have to notice that Connecting rod bearings act as an important part of mechanics in an engine.
The sale of ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles will dominate the global automotive sector in a variety of other areas, especially in Asia, African countries and Latin American. The rise in the aging vehicle fleets, coupled with the need for regular maintenance and periodic replacement of components in these vehicles, is anticipated to fuel aftermarket demand for the connecting rod bearings.
The global market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 12.6%, growing from USD 271.5 Million in 2025 to USD 889.6 Million by 2035.
Key Market Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 271.5 Million |
| Projected Market Size in 2035 | USD 889.6 Million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 12.6% |
The increasing number of gasoline-powered fleet vehicles, as well as a well-established aftermarket, are major aspects fuelling automotive connecting rod bearings' demand in North America. The passenger car maintenance as well as the light commercial fleets are constant in terms of demand in the USA and Canada. While EVs are on the rise, internal combustion engine parts are still a primary source of revenue, especially in the rural segment and long-distance transport.
The European market is defined by a robust legacy of precision engineering in the automotive sphere, particularly in Germany, Italy and France. With Euro 6/7 emissions regulations slowly squeezing automakers into electrification, the continent still retains a sizable population of ICE vehicles, specifically diesel variants, for which connecting rod bearings are made for maximum durability. The use of advanced alloy bearings is driven by the demand for premium vehicles and high-performance engines.
In terms of growth, the Asia-Pacific region will see the highest volume demand due to large vehicle production in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Connecting rod bearing use in both OEM and aftermarket sectors is supported by the region’s strong manufacturing base as well as large domestic demand.
Due to developing countries where two-wheelers and small-displacement engines are still in demand, economics dictates that low-cost and durable bearing solutions are highly accepted. Sales of replacement parts are aided by government programs to upgrade aging fleets of cars and trucks.
Electrification trends, engine downsizing, and OEM integration limit market scope.
Shift towards EVs is a structural threat to the automotive connecting rod bearing market, as EVs have no internal combustion system components. Moreover, engine downsizing and hybridization efforts have also been reducing the number of connecting rod bearings per vehicle, particularly in small and turbocharged engines.
A further headwind remains the increasing embedded nature of powertrain manufacture in OEM supply chains that creates a closed shop for independent bearing suppliers. Automakers are leaning towards building on-site or long-term supply contracts, putting price and access pressure on aftermarket and independent bearing makers.
Aftermarket expansion, high-performance engines, and material innovation drive growth.
Despite Electrification Trends, Opportunities for Growth Still Strong in Developing Areas Where ICE Vehicles Rule Inconsistent demand from replacement connecting rod bearing in aging vehicle fleets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa There is also growing demand for remanufactured engines and vehicle refurbishment programs, which further boosts the growth of the aftermarket.
Relatively on the higher end, performance in automotive and motorsport segments is driving demand for lightweight and high-durability materials such as tri-metal and polymer-coated bearings, which opens doors for design-level differentiation between products. Fatigue resistance, anti-seizure properties, low-friction coatings and new metallurgy are enabling longer bearing life and higher performance in heavy-duty and turbocharged engines.
From 2020 to 2024, demand for connecting rod bearings globally was buoyed by a recovery in vehicle production post-COVID-19 as well as greater maintenance of personal vehicles as they were used for longer cycles. But supply chain disruptions and higher raw materials cost would weigh on manufacturing margins. During this time, the emphasis moved to new wear-resistant materials and economical aftermarket solutions.
The evolution of the market for 2025 to 2035 Dual-segment; declining, but stable ICE production in emerging markets and premium/high-performance ICE maintenance in developed markets. Bearing makers will invest in new coating technologies, predictive failure diagnostics and additive manufacturing for custom-made applications. Due to sustainability mandates, circular economy models, such as bearing refurbishment and recycling, will become more prevalent.
Market Shifts: A Comparative Analysis 2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035
| Market Shift | 2020 to 2024 Trends |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Increased emissions focus and ICE efficiency targets |
| Consumer Trends | Longer vehicle retention and aftermarket repairs |
| Industry Adoption | OEM-heavy manufacturing and aftermarket reliance |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Disruptions in steel and alloy inputs |
| Market Competition | Dominated by OEM suppliers and regional part makers |
| Market Growth Drivers | Engine wear, fleet maintenance, and aging vehicles |
| Sustainability and Impact | Low recycling of worn bearings |
| Smart Technology Integration | Minimal integration in bearing design |
| Sensorial Innovation | Basic alloy composition and tolerance adjustments |
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 Projections |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Declining ICE production in developed markets, stable demand in emerging regions |
| Consumer Trends | Shift toward remanufactured engine components and high-performance parts |
| Industry Adoption | Expansion in independent repair networks, especially in Asia and Africa |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Investment in recycled materials and localized alloy manufacturing |
| Market Competition | Entry of high-performance and green-material bearing manufacturers |
| Market Growth Drivers | Advanced materials, aftermarket reliability, and regional ICE persistence |
| Sustainability and Impact | Emergence of refurbishment services and low-impact bearing coatings |
| Smart Technology Integration | Use of sensors in predictive maintenance and digital diagnostics |
| Sensorial Innovation | Multi-layer coatings, noise-dampening innovations, and thermally adaptive materials |
The USA automotive connecting rod bearing market is driven by uninterrupted demand for low, medium, & high-performance light commercial vehicles & remanufactured engines. Rod bearings can also see increasing aftermarket replacement as vehicles age, particularly in pickup and SUV applications.
The OEs and aftermarket brands are developing aluminum-tin and copper-lead bearing alloys specifically to minimize friction for better fuel economy. USA automotive manufacturing in Michigan and Ohio invests in precision forging and advanced surface treatments for durability. Demand is also increasing in motorsports and heavy-duty engine segments.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United States | 13.0% |
Demand in the UK for connecting rod bearings is determined by the manufacturing legacy of internal combustion engine (ICE) production, as well as an emerging aftermarket infrastructure. While ICE vehicles will remain in use until the eventual ban on new petrol and diesel cars in 2035, engine maintenance and part replacement including rod bearings will still be critical .
Niche demand for forged and precision-fit bearing sets is being driven by low-volume engine rebuilders and classic car restorers. Collaborations between academic institutions and the UK automotive supply chain are supporting R&D in lightweight materials.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 12.3% |
It has a robust base for the manufacture of internal combustion engines for passenger and commercial vehicles, which is helping much to the benefit of the EU market. At the same time, Germany, France, and Italy are also leading demand for high-performance connecting rod bearings for durable and emissions-compliant vehicles.
The European Green Deal is pressing OEMs to minimize engine friction losses, hastening the uptake of coated and composite bearing surfaces. The aftermarket is growing strongly in Eastern Europe, where the life cycles of vehicles are long. Tier 1 suppliers are ramping up production of high-load bearings suitable for hybrid engine platforms.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| European Union | 12.6% |
The market of automotive connecting rod bearing in Japan is principled in its precision automotive engineering section. OEMs are adopting very thin-walled, high load components in order to decrease the dimensions and weight of the engine without sacrificing performance.
High share of production for the hybrid vehicle, Japanese manufacturers are targeting low-friction bearings that help support stop-start systems and cycles with high-RPM With multilayer bearings for compact powertrains, leading companies in Aichi and Hiroshima prefectures are innovating. Ongoing demand for both small-engine motorcycles and export engines keeps aftermarket bearing replacement sales afloat.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 12.1% |
The South Korean market is driven by production of domestic vehicles and an active aftermarket. OEM-grade connecting rod bearings for Hyundai and Kia’s ICE and hybrid models are driving demand. Significantly, there is great interest in material innovation, with Korean materials manufacturers pursuing lead-free and tri-metal alloys to improve wear resistance and enhance thermal stability.
Fleet vehicles and commercial diesel engines with high-pressure fuel systems for logistics and delivery applications also experience increasing replacement rates. One way is to enable local bearing producers to achieve uniformity and volume on products through automated manufacturing processes.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 12.9% |
The automotive connecting rod bearing market is mainly driven by increasing durability and tighter tolerances for ICE components. Connecting rod bearings enable smooth engine operation by reducing friction between the connecting rod and crankshaft, allowing load transfer. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) comprise the largest sales channel of babbitt alloy, citing this specific material type as statistically corresponding to long-lasting engine fatigue and wear resistance, thus retaining the highest global market share by volume across the available sales channels and bearing material types. These features guarantee accuracy and reliability of performance and lifecycle for the light-duty and heavy-duty automotive engines.
Engineered bearing solutions that are compatible with the evolution of engine architectures, including high-revving gasoline and turbocharged diesel, are priorities for automotive OEMs. At the same time, babbitt alloys, thanks to their soft-metal surface and superior embed-ability, continue to be critical in providing low-friction contact zones at very high pressure and temperature conditions.
OEMs gain traction due to factory integration, consistent quality standards, and strong automaker partnerships
| Sales Channel | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) | 64.7% |
The connecting rod bearing market is aligned toward OEMs, owing to the delivery of components to original equipment manufacturers, which are further pre-fitted into engines procured from the market, for passenger and commercial vehicles. During engine assembly, the automakers rely on their tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers to provide high-precision bearings that achieve their own in-house tolerance, noise, and wear limits.
The correct material and design combinations for bearings to work with engine configurations, which includes crankshaft geometry, lubrication flow and power output, is guaranteed with OEM supply. Having gone through extremely warm testing, heat treatment and surface coating for durability and thermal stable set of processes these bearings.
Other areas of focus for manufacturers include lightweight and thermally resilient bearing materials to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. As electrification of hybrid powertrains expands, ICE components like connecting rod bearings will need to display elevated load and low-resistance performance in engine start-stop cycles.OEM channels lead due to bulk volume, integration efficiency, and their alignment with evolving engine design trends while the aftermarket caters to replacement and repair.
Babbitt alloys drive market use through soft-metal conformance, anti-seizure properties, and fatigue resistance
| Material Type | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Babbitt | 62.3% |
Babbitt alloys account for the maximum market share in connecting rod bearing material segment owing to their good conformability, low-friction, and seizure resistance under high-load conditions. Made mostly of tin, lead, copper and antimony, babbitt provides a soft surface that will embed specks of debris and support load distribution on a crankshaft journal.
That's why these materials are best suited for engines operating under variable loads and in high thermal environments, to become a staple in gasoline and diesel ICE platforms. Babbitt-lined bearings have a relatively high embed ability and anti-scoring ability, which significantly mitigates the possibility of catastrophic engine failure.
The conversion to lead-free babbitts is further propelled by suppliers facing industrial regulatory directives, especially global regulations on hazardous materials in automotive components where many of them have developed formulations to meet environmental favorable compliance.
The automotive connecting rod bearing market is growing due to escalating vehicle production, a growing need for engine durability, and a demand for greater fuel efficiency. Connecting Rod Bearings: They are used to reduce friction between the crankshaft and connecting rods, ensuring effortless rotation and engine performance.
Rising adoption of EVs notwithstanding, recovery in the maintenance of internal combustion engine (ICE) is underpinning market growth, particularly in Asia, and Latin America. Moreover, lead-free bearings with tri-metal, hybrid coatings for increased load capacities and minimum wearing aligned with worldwide emission standards are the newest advancement in manufacturers.
Market Share Analysis by Key Players & Connecting Rod Bearing Providers
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| MAHLE GmbH | 14-17% |
| Federal-Mogul (Tenneco) | 11-14% |
| Clevite (Dana Inc.) | 9-12% |
| Daido Metal Co. Ltd. | 7-10% |
| King Engine Bearings | 6-9% |
| Other Providers | 38-45% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| MAHLE GmbH | In 2024, introduced lead-free polymer-coated bearings for light-duty vehicles; in 2025, launched high-load rod bearings with improved seizure resistance for turbocharged engines. |
| Federal-Mogul (Tenneco) | In 2024, expanded its DEVA bearing line for commercial diesel applications; in 2025, released copper-free bearing shells compliant with Euro 7 emission regulations. |
| Clevite (Dana Inc.) | In 2024, upgraded high-performance bearing sets for aftermarket racing; in 2025,launched low-friction coated bearings for hybrid engine platforms. |
| Daido Metal Co. Ltd. | In 2024, rolled out bimetal bearings with high fatigue strength for motorcycles in 2025, introduced water-based production lines to meet sustainability standards. |
| King Engine Bearings | In 2024, debuted racing-grade XP bearings with pMax Black overlay in 2025, released tri-metal passenger car bearings optimized for extended oil change intervals. |
Key Market Insights
MAHLE GmbH (14-17%)
MAHLE leads in global bearing innovation, balancing OEM supply with advanced aftermarket solutions. In 2024, it launched polymer-coated lead-free connecting rod bearings for passenger vehicles to meet upcoming hazardous substance bans. In 2025, MAHLE introduced a new series of high-load rod bearings with seizure-resistant surfaces for turbocharged and downsized engines. The company’s focus on durability and emissions compliance aligns with global automotive sustainability directives.
Federal-Mogul (Tenneco) (11-14%)
Federal-Mogul remains a dominant player in diesel and heavy-duty engine bearing applications. In 2024, its DEVA bearing series was enhanced to support extended service intervals in commercial vehicles. In 2025, the company launched copper-free bearing technologies to comply with upcoming Euro 7 emission and recyclability standards. Its diverse portfolio supports engine platforms across agricultural, marine, and on-highway applications.
Clevite (Dana Inc.) (9-12%)
Clevite specializes in performance-oriented and OE replacement bearings. In 2024, it introduced high-performance racing bearings with tighter oil clearance control and increased fatigue resistance. By 2025, the company rolled out low-friction coatings compatible with mild-hybrid engine architectures, aiding efficiency in urban stop-start cycles. Clevite continues to serve high-demand aftermarket sectors through extensive catalog coverage and motorsport sponsorships.
Daido Metal Co. Ltd. (7-10%)
Daido Metal focuses on precision bearings for compact engines, two-wheelers, and small hybrid vehicles. In 2024, it launched fatigue-resistant bimetal rod bearings designed for motorcycles and ATVs. In 2025, the firm transitioned to water-based processing technologies across several production lines, reducing emissions and aligning with Japan’s carbon neutrality targets. Daido’s strength lies in lightweight, high-precision components suited for compact powertrains.
King Engine Bearings (6-9%)
King Bearings is well-established in the aftermarket and performance engine communities. In 2024, it released XP series racing bearings featuring a proprietary pMax Black overlay for enhanced seizure resistance. In 2025, the company introduced tri-metal rod bearings optimized for extended oil service intervals in passenger cars, a key demand among fleet operators. King emphasizes robust metallurgy and digital cataloging tools for precision part matching across global markets.
Other Key Players (38-45% Combined)
Several regional manufacturers and Tier-2 suppliers contribute to the competitive landscape with focused product lines and customization offerings. These include:
The overall market size for the automotive connecting rod bearing market was USD 271.5 Million in 2025.
The automotive connecting rod bearing market is expected to reach USD 889.6 Million in 2035.
The demand for automotive connecting rod bearings is rising due to increasing production of internal combustion engine vehicles, the need for high-performance and low-friction engine components, and rising demand from OEM channels. Babbitt alloy materials are gaining traction due to their excellent load capacity and wear resistance.
The top 5 countries driving the development of the automotive connecting rod bearing market are the USA, China, Japan, Germany, and South Korea.
OEM channels and babbitt alloy materials are expected to command a significant share over the assessment period.
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Automotive Connecting Rod Bearing Market
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