Automotive Bearings Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Bearing Type (Ball, Roller, Plain), By Application Type (Engine, Transmission, Wheel, Steering, Others), By Vehicle Type (Two Wheelers, Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 51.72 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.25%
Fastest Growing Segment	Passenger Cars
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 78.71 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Bearings Market will grow from USD 51.72 Billion in 2025 to USD 78.71 Billion by 2031 at a 7.25% CAGR. Automotive bearings are precision mechanical components designed to minimize friction between moving parts and support rotational loads within engine, transmission, and wheel systems. The market is primarily supported by rising global vehicle manufacturing rates and the industry's push for improved fuel efficiency, which necessitates the adoption of lightweight, low-friction designs. Additionally, the electrification of powertrains drives demand for specialized bearings capable of operating at higher speeds while resisting electrical erosion.

Sustaining this momentum, widespread industrial activity continues to fuel component orders across key regions. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), in 2024, global motor vehicle production reached 92.5 million units, indicating a robust baseline for bearing consumption. However, market expansion faces a significant challenge from the volatility of raw material prices, particularly high-grade steel, which creates cost uncertainty and may hinder profit margins for manufacturers globally.

Key Market Drivers

Accelerating global adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles is fundamentally reshaping the technological requirements and volume dynamics of the automotive bearings sector. Unlike internal combustion engines, electric powertrains operate at significantly higher rotational speeds and are susceptible to electrical erosion, necessitating the development of specialized high-speed, low-noise, and insulated bearings. This transition is creating a lucrative sub-segment for ceramic and sensor-integrated bearings designed to enhance thermal management and efficiency. The scale of this shift is evident in recent sales trajectories. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), April 2024, in the 'Global EV Outlook 2024', global electric car sales are projected to reach approximately 17 million units in 2024, representing a substantial market share that compels bearing manufacturers to retool production lines for electrification-compatible components.

Concurrently, increasing vehicle production and sales in emerging markets continue to provide a critical volume baseload for standard rolling chassis and transmission bearings. As industrialization expands in regions like Asia-Pacific, the demand for affordable yet durable components for both passenger and commercial vehicles surges, directly influencing manufacturer order books. For instance, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), January 2024, in its annual statistical release, automobile sales in China exceeded 30 million units in 2023, setting a new historical record that underscores the region's dominance as a manufacturing hub. To capitalize on such extensive demand across both traditional and electric platforms, major suppliers are fortifying their financial positions. Reflecting this robust sector activity, according to Schaeffler, in 2024, the company's Automotive Technologies division generated revenue of 9,772 million euros for the preceding fiscal year, highlighting the immense value generated by component integration in modern vehicle architectures.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material prices, particularly for high-grade steel, constitutes a substantial barrier to the expansion of the Global Automotive Bearings Market. Since bearings are precision components heavily reliant on specific steel grades for durability and performance, unstable input costs directly disrupt financial planning and production stability. Manufacturers frequently operate under long-term agreements with automotive OEMs that do not allow for immediate price adjustments. Consequently, when steel prices fluctuate unexpectedly, bearing producers suffer from compressed profit margins, which restricts the capital available for necessary facility upgrades and market expansion efforts.

This unpredictable cost environment creates significant hesitation within the supply chain, forcing companies to adopt conservative inventory strategies rather than aggressive growth plans. The instability in the raw material sector is evident in recent industrial data. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, in February 2025, steel shipments for the full year of 2024 were reported to have decreased by 3.6% compared to the previous year. Such fluctuations in raw material movement highlight the uncertainty manufacturers face, directly hampering their ability to consistently meet potential demand despite the baseline of vehicle production.

Key Market Trends

The Shift Towards Sustainable and Green Manufacturing Practices has emerged as a critical priority, accelerating the decarbonization of production facilities and supply chains to meet stringent OEM environmental mandates. Manufacturers are increasingly integrating renewable energy and green steel into their operations, moving beyond simple compliance to make sustainability a core competitive advantage. This operational pivot is exemplified by major industry players successfully exceeding their climate targets through aggressive facility upgrades. According to SKF, March 2025, in the 'Annual and Sustainability Report 2024', the company achieved a 59% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024 compared to the 2019 baseline, significantly outpacing its science-based trajectory. Such rapid progress indicates a structural transformation where verified low-carbon manufacturing is becoming a prerequisite for securing long-term automotive contracts.

Concurrently, the Proliferation of Lightweight and Compact Bearing Units is redefining component architecture to offset the heavy mass of battery systems in modern electric platforms. Engineering teams are successfully reducing the physical footprint of bearings while maintaining durability, directly contributing to extended vehicle range through significant mass reduction. This technological leap is driven by the need to optimize drive unit packaging and improve overall energy efficiency. According to NSK Ltd., March 2025, in the press release 'NSK Develops Compact, Lightweight Deep Groove Ball Bearing for EVs', the company's new bearing design utilizes a narrow-width combined plastic cage to reduce weight by 51% and outer diameter by 10% compared to conventional products. This trend towards miniaturization allows automakers to achieve denser powertrain configurations without compromising load performance.

Segmental Insights

According to authoritative market analysis, the Passenger Cars segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Automotive Bearings Market. This expansion is principally driven by the surging global demand for personal mobility and rising vehicle ownership in emerging economies. Additionally, the rapid shift toward electrification necessitates specialized, low-friction bearings to maximize range and performance, significantly boosting segment volume. Stringent environmental mandates from regulatory bodies, such as the European Commission, further compel automakers to adopt lightweight bearing solutions for improved fuel efficiency. Consequently, the focus on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing drivetrain efficiency cements the passenger vehicle sector’s leading growth position.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific maintains a dominant position in the global automotive bearings market, primarily driven by high vehicle manufacturing output in China, Japan, and India. The region benefits from a significant concentration of original equipment manufacturers and a widely distributed aftermarket network. extensive industrialization and rising personal incomes have fueled the consumption of passenger cars and commercial fleets, necessitating consistent supplies of transmission and wheel bearings. Additionally, supportive manufacturing policies in these developing economies encourage domestic production, ensuring a steady availability of components for both local consumption and export.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, SKF Automotive announced the successful industry adaptation of its next-generation Hub Bearing Unit (HBU) intended for electric vehicle pickup trucks and vans. This innovative hybrid bearing integrated both ball and tapered roller elements within a single unit, a design choice that provided superior strength while being 10% lighter than conventional wheel bearings. Furthermore, the component featured specialized capabilities that delivered a 30% reduction in friction compared to competitive offerings in the same category. The company highlighted that this reduction in friction would directly translate into improved energy efficiency and increased running miles per battery charge for electric commercial vehicles.
• In September 2024, NSK Ltd. launched a new low-friction hub unit bearing designed to enhance the performance of electric vehicles. By leveraging proprietary tribology and analysis technologies, the company developed a seal that balanced durability against environmental contaminants with significantly reduced resistance. This development achieved a 40% reduction in friction compared to conventional products, a factor that could extend an electric vehicle's driving range by roughly 1,000 kilometers annually. The organization announced its aim to achieve global sales of 20 billion yen for this specific product by 2026, targeting the rapidly expanding electric vehicle sector.
• In July 2024, Schaeffler commissioned a new manufacturing line at its facility in Taicang, China, specifically to produce wheel hub bearings featuring end spline technology. This specific product design was engineered to transmit 50% more torque while simultaneously reducing the component's weight by 10% and friction by 34% compared to standard alternatives. The company noted that these technical enhancements contributed to a 0.6% reduction in total vehicle energy consumption. This production expansion was executed to address the escalating requirements of the new energy vehicle market, reinforcing the company's localized manufacturing capabilities and competitive position in the region.
• In May 2024, NTN Corporation announced the expansion of its "Low Friction Hub Bearing" series with the introduction of two new models, the "Low Friction Hub Bearing IV" and "Low Friction Hub Bearing V". These advanced components incorporated a newly developed low-torque grease and an optimized seal structure to significantly decrease rotational resistance. The company reported that these innovations reduced friction by up to 64% compared to conventional bearings, offering a substantial improvement in electricity efficiency for electric and hybrid vehicles. This product launch was aligned with the organization's strategy to contribute to a decarbonized society through energy-saving automotive technologies.

Key Market Players

• JTEKT Corporation
• AB SKF
• Schaeffler AG
• NSK Ltd.
• NTN Corporation
• The Timken Company
• Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
• RBC Bearings Incorporated
• MinebeaMitsumi Inc.
• CW Bearing GmbH

By Bearing Type	By Application Type	By Vehicle Type	By Region
Ball Roller Plain	Engine Transmission Wheel Steering Others	Two Wheelers Passenger Cars Light Commercial Vehicles Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Automotive Bearings Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Automotive Bearings Market, By Bearing Type:

• Ball
• Roller
• Plain

• Automotive Bearings Market, By Application Type:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Wheel
• Steering
• Others

• Automotive Bearings Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Two Wheelers
• Passenger Cars
• Light Commercial Vehicles
• Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles

• Automotive Bearings Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE