Automotive Brake Band Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Transmission Type (Automatic Transmission (AT), Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Others), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, LCV and M&HCV), By Propulsion (Petrol/CNG, Diesel, and Electric and Hybrid), By Demand Category (OEM, Replacement), and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 5.34 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.51%
Fastest Growing Segment	Automatic Transmission (AT)
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.96 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Brake Band Market will grow from USD 5.34 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.96 Billion by 2031 at a 4.51% CAGR. The automotive brake band is a specialized friction component comprising a flexible steel strip lined with durable friction material, primarily engineered to tighten around a rotating drum to arrest motion in automatic transmissions or heavy-duty parking brake assemblies. A fundamental driver supporting this market is the sustained manufacturing volume of light commercial vehicles and industrial machinery, where these robust mechanisms remain essential for holding torque and ensuring static safety. Illustrating this sector's robust activity, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), in 2024, new commercial vehicle registrations for vans in the European Union increased by 8.3% compared to the previous year, securing a stable demand stream for associated drivetrain parts.

Despite this utilization in specific segments, market expansion faces a significant challenge from the widespread technological transition toward disc braking systems and advanced electronic transmissions. The accelerating adoption of electric vehicles, which utilize regenerative braking and distinct drivetrain architectures that often exclude traditional bands, fundamentally reduces the reliance on these legacy friction components and impedes long-term volume growth.

Key Market Drivers

The sustained penetration of automatic transmission systems remains the most influential factor propelling the global brake band market. These friction components are intrinsic to the operation of epicyclic gearing mechanisms in traditional step-automatic transmissions, where they function to hold specific drivetrain elements stationary to achieve desired gear ratios. This technical dependency is particularly pronounced in the North American light-duty vehicle sector, where the consumer shift away from manual gearboxes is nearly absolute, creating a massive installed base for transmission friction parts. Illustrating this market dominance, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), August 2025, in the '2025 Mid-Year Data Report', franchised dealers in the United States sold 8.1 million light-duty vehicles during the first half of the year alone, securing a consistent requirement for these robust holding mechanisms in new drivetrain assemblies.

Concurrently, rapid automotive sector industrialization in emerging markets creates a vital growth avenue, counterbalancing saturation in developed regions. Developing economies in Asia are witnessing robust expansion in domestic component manufacturing to support both local vehicle production and global export hubs, thereby increasing the consumption of durable drivetrain parts for passenger and commercial applications. For instance, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), July 2025, in the 'Industry Performance Review for Fiscal 2024-25', the turnover of the Indian automotive component industry reached USD 80.2 billion, registering a year-on-year growth of 9.6%. Additionally, specific heavy-duty segments continue to expand even amidst broader fluctuations; according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), in 2025, new bus registrations in the European Union grew by 3.6% during the first three quarters, reinforcing the demand for heavy-duty braking and transmission holding solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

The rapid industry-wide migration toward electric vehicle (EV) architectures and advanced electronic braking systems presents a fundamental obstacle to the global automotive brake band market. Traditional brake bands are mechanically critical for shifting gears within conventional automatic transmissions and serving as static holding devices in heavy-duty drum configurations. However, the operational design of electric vehicles fundamentally disrupts this dependency. EVs predominantly utilize regenerative braking systems to decelerate by converting kinetic energy into electricity, drastically reducing the wear and reliance on friction-based components. Furthermore, electric drivetrains typically employ single-speed reduction gears rather than the complex multi-speed planetary gearboxes that rely on bands for gear engagement, directly eliminating a primary application for these parts.

This structural displacement is evidenced by the surging adoption of electrified platforms in major automotive hubs, which signals a shrinking addressable market for legacy transmission components. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), in 2024, sales of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) reached 12.87 million units, representing 40.9% of total new car sales in the country. This substantial volume of vehicles entering the market with drivetrains that largely exclude traditional brake bands highlights the magnitude of the threat. As manufacturers prioritize these newer platforms to meet electrification targets, the demand for conventional friction strips is likely to experience a sustained contraction in the passenger vehicle sector.

Key Market Trends

The expansion of the transmission remanufacturing sector is reshaping the brake band market as vehicle owners increasingly opt for rebuilding existing drivetrains over costly replacements. This trend is fueling the demand for transmission overhaul kits and individual brake bands within the aftermarket, serving as a critical supply line for aging vehicle fleets that require cost-effective maintenance solutions. The economic viability of these repair and remanufacture options is reflected in the broader growth of the aftermarket industry, which supports the availability of these legacy friction components. According to the Auto Care Association, June 2025, in the '2026 Auto Care Factbook', total U.S. light-duty aftermarket sales grew by 5.7% in 2024, reaching USD 413.7 billion, a trajectory that underscores the sustained reliance on component replacement and overhaul services.

The digitization of aftermarket supply chains is simultaneously revolutionizing how niche transmission components like brake bands are distributed and sourced globally. By leveraging e-commerce platforms and digital B2B marketplaces, manufacturers and distributors are enhancing the accessibility of specific brake band sizes and specifications, thereby reducing lead times for mechanics and transmission specialists. This shift toward digital procurement channels is gaining significant traction among industry stakeholders, streamlining the logistics of obtaining hard-to-find parts. According to the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, November 2025, in the '2025 Joint E-commerce Trends and Outlook Forecast', e-commerce sales for automotive parts, excluding third-party marketplaces, are projected to grow by 4.6% in 2025, highlighting the increasing pivot toward online sourcing strategies for critical vehicle components.

Segmental Insights

The Automatic Transmission (AT) segment is currently experiencing the most rapid growth within the Global Automotive Brake Band Market. This expansion is fundamentally driven by the rising global production of passenger vehicles equipped with automatic gearboxes, fueled by consumer preference for driving ease in congested urban areas. Brake bands are essential components in these transmissions, functioning to hold specific gear sets stationary during gear changes. Therefore, as automakers increase the output of automatic vehicles to meet market requirements, the demand for compatible brake bands continues to rise significantly.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific commands the leading position in the Global Automotive Brake Band Market, primarily driven by its status as the world's largest automotive manufacturing hub. The region benefits from extensive vehicle production volumes in major economies like China and India, which generate consistent demand for essential transmission and braking components. This dominance is reinforced by the accessibility of raw materials and cost-effective labor, incentivizing original equipment manufacturers to expand local operations. Furthermore, rapid economic development and rising vehicle ownership rates across emerging markets ensure a sustained requirement for both new assembly and aftermarket solutions.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Aisin Corporation, a major stakeholder in the Global Automotive Brake Band Market, announced a strategic restructuring of its aftermarket business at the AAPEX 2024 trade show. The company revealed plans to merge its transmission remanufacturing unit with its aftermarket sales division to form a new entity named Aisin Aftermarket & Service of America, Inc., effective April 2025. This consolidation is directly linked to the market as it enhances the supply chain and service capabilities for transmission components, including brake bands and friction materials, which are vital for the repair and maintenance of automatic transmissions in the Americas.
• In September 2024, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a prominent entity in the Global Automotive Brake Band Market, strengthened its strategic partnership with Foton during the IAA Transportation 2024 event. The collaboration focuses on the joint introduction of a new hybrid transmission system for commercial vehicles in the Chinese market. This agreement builds upon their existing joint venture and aims to advance the decarbonization of the commercial vehicle sector. The launch of such hybrid transmission systems is significant for the market, as it involves the integration of sophisticated friction and braking components essential for the efficient operation of heavy-duty electrified powertrains.
• In July 2024, BorgWarner Inc., a leading manufacturer in the Global Automotive Brake Band Market, announced that it had begun supplying its wet clutch and hydraulic control module for the new 2-speed hybrid transmission of the Buick GL8 PHEV. The production of these components, which utilize the company's state-of-the-art friction technology to ensure high reliability and low drag torque, commenced in June 2024. This collaboration with a major automaker demonstrates the continued relevance of advanced friction applications in modern hybrid transmissions, a core segment for companies operating within the automotive brake band and transmission friction landscape.
• In January 2024, the German automotive supplier Schaeffler India showcased its latest technological advancements in transmission and clutch systems at the SIAT Expo 2024 in Pune, India. As a key player in the Global Automotive Brake Band Market known for its friction and transmission components, the company presented innovative solutions designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The display included advanced clutch systems and fuel cell technologies, highlighting the company's strategic focus on sustainable mobility. This development underscores the ongoing evolution in the transmission sector, where friction elements like brake bands and clutches play a critical role in vehicle performance.

Key Market Players

• Bosch GmbH
• Continental AG
• Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.
• Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
• Brembo S.p.A.
• ZF Friedrichshafen AG
• Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
• Mando Corporation
• Haldex AB
• Knorr-Bremse AG

By Transmission Type	By Vehicle Type	By Propulsion	By Demand Category	By Region
Automatic Transmission (AT) Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Others	Passenger Cars LCV and M&HCV	Petrol/CNG Diesel and Electric and Hybrid	OEM Replacement	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Automotive Brake Band Market, By Transmission Type:

• Automatic Transmission (AT)
• Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)
• Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Others

• Automotive Brake Band Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Cars
• LCV and M&HCV

• Automotive Brake Band Market, By Propulsion:

• Petrol/CNG
• Diesel
• and Electric and Hybrid

• Automotive Brake Band Market, By Demand Category:

• OEM
• Replacement

• Automotive Brake Band 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