Automotive Brake Shoe Market– Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Vehicle Type (Passenger cars, LCV, HCV), By Type (Leading/Trailing, Twin Leading, Duo Servo), By Sales Channel (OEM, Aftermarket),By Region, Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 8.73 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.44%
Fastest Growing Segment	LCV
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 13.43 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Brake Shoe Market will grow from USD 8.73 Billion in 2025 to USD 13.43 Billion by 2031 at a 7.44% CAGR. The Global Automotive Brake Shoe Market comprises the manufacturing and distribution of curved metal plates lined with friction material designed primarily for drum brake systems found in the rear axles of commercial vehicles and economy passenger cars. Market growth is fundamentally supported by the expanding logistics and transportation sector which drives demand for light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial trucks that rely on the durability and cost effectiveness of drum brakes. Additionally the regular replacement cycle of friction components in an aging global vehicle fleet sustains aftermarket revenue. Demonstrating this robust demand in the commercial segment, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, in 2024, new van registrations in the European Union increased by 8.3 percent.

Despite these positive indicators the market faces a significant impediment due to the widespread technological transition from drum brakes to disc brake systems across passenger vehicle segments. Disc brakes offer superior heat dissipation and stopping performance leading original equipment manufacturers to increasingly standardize them on all four wheels thereby limiting the addressable market for traditional brake shoes.

Key Market Drivers

The Rising Global Production of Commercial and Passenger Vehicles constitutes a primary driver for the brake shoe market, particularly in manufacturing hubs where automotive output continues to scale. Despite the growing prevalence of disc brakes in premium segments, the sheer volume of economy passenger cars and commercial vehicles rolling off assembly lines sustains substantial orders for original equipment drum brake assemblies. This foundational demand is underscored by the robust manufacturing metrics observed in major markets. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, January 2025, in the '2024 Automobile Production and Sales' report, the country's cumulative vehicle production reached 31.28 million units, representing a 3.7 percent year-on-year increase. Such high production figures directly translate into steady procurement volumes for brake shoe manufacturers, ensuring that the technology remains integral to the global automotive supply chain.

Concurrently, the Expansion of the Logistics and Heavy-Duty Transportation Sectors reinforces market stability, as these industries heavily rely on the durability and thermal stability of drum brakes for heavy-load applications. Public transport and freight fleets often prioritize these systems for their lower maintenance costs and proven performance under stress. Demonstrating the growth in this essential segment, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, January 2025, in the 'New Commercial Vehicle Registrations 2024' press release, new bus registrations in the European Union increased by 9.2 percent. Furthermore, the sheer scale of the heavy commercial segment ensures a continuous requirement for these components; according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, January 2025, in the '2024 Automotive Statistics' release, commercial vehicle production stood at 3.805 million units, creating a vast addressable market for both OEM and aftermarket brake shoe suppliers.

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Key Market Challenges

The market faces a significant restriction due to the ongoing technological transition from drum brakes to disc brake systems, particularly within the passenger vehicle segment. Automotive original equipment manufacturers are increasingly standardizing disc brakes on all four wheels to comply with stricter safety norms and to leverage their superior heat dissipation capabilities. This shift limits the installation of brake shoes primarily to the rear axles of entry-level economy cars and commercial vehicles, effectively reducing the component's presence in modern vehicle assembly.

This dominance of disc-oriented passenger vehicles creates a substantial volume barrier for brake shoe manufacturers. The high production numbers of passenger cars represent a lost revenue stream for drum brake suppliers as the industry moves forward. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, in the financial year ending March 2024, domestic passenger vehicle sales reached a record 4.21 million units. Because this expanding segment heavily favors disc brake architecture, the addressable market for brake shoes remains confined to a shrinking percentage of new vehicle registrations, making the sector heavily dependent on the commercial category and legacy fleet replacements.

Key Market Trends

The Resurgence of Rear Drum Brakes in Electric Vehicle Platforms is fundamentally altering the market, reversing the decline of this technology in the passenger car segment. Unlike internal combustion vehicles, electric vehicles utilize regenerative braking for the majority of deceleration, rendering rear friction brakes less active and susceptible to corrosion from disuse. The enclosed design of drum brakes effectively mitigates this issue while preventing particle emission, prompting original equipment manufacturers to reintegrate the architecture into high-volume electric platforms for enhanced durability. Underscoring this adoption, according to Volkswagen Group, October 2024, in the 'Q3 2024 EV Deliveries' press release, the company delivered 506,500 battery-electric vehicles globally in the first three quarters of the year, a volume heavily underpinned by models utilizing standard rear drum brake systems.

Simultaneously, the Transition to Copper-Free and Sustainable Friction Formulations is reshaping product development as manufacturers align with stringent environmental regulations. Impending standards, such as Euro 7, target non-exhaust particulate emissions, forcing suppliers to eliminate heavy metals like copper which are toxic to aquatic ecosystems. This shift necessitates significant investment in engineering alternative friction materials that maintain stopping performance without relying on legacy chemical compositions. Demonstrating this industry-wide pivot, according to TMD Friction, November 2024, in the 'ESG Report 2024', the manufacturer confirmed its objective to completely eliminate copper from all new product developments by 2025. This commitment illustrates how regulatory compliance is directly driving the material evolution of modern brake shoes.

Segmental Insights

The Light Commercial Vehicle segment is currently positioning itself as the fastest-growing category within the Global Automotive Brake Shoe Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the rapid development of the logistics and e-commerce sectors, which necessitates robust fleets for last-mile delivery. Many manufacturers continue to utilize drum brakes equipped with brake shoes on the rear axles of these utility vehicles due to their superior durability under heavy loads and cost-effectiveness. Consequently, as commercial transport volumes increase, the demand for brake shoes for both new vehicle production and aftermarket maintenance rises accordingly.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the global automotive brake shoe market, driven by substantial vehicle manufacturing activities in major economies such as China and India. The region maintains high demand for brake shoes due to the continued prevalence of drum brake systems in heavy commercial vehicles and entry-level passenger cars. Rapid urbanization and infrastructure projects require extensive logistics networks, further increasing the consumption of these components in the commercial transport sector. Additionally, a growing volume of aging vehicles creates a strong aftermarket for replacement parts, ensuring consistent regional market expansion.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, ASK Automotive commenced commercial production at its newly established manufacturing facility in Karnataka, India. This new plant represents a major expansion of the company's capacity to manufacture advanced braking systems and brake shoes, for which it holds a dominant market share in the two-wheeler segment. The facility is designed to cater to the increasing demand from original equipment manufacturers in the southern region of the country. This product and facility launch aligns with the company's strategy to enhance its footprint and operational efficiency in the competitive automotive components market.
• In November 2024, TMD Friction announced a significant investment in a new emissions test bench at its research and development center in Leverkusen. This advanced testing facility was installed to measure brake particulate emissions in compliance with the forthcoming Euro 7 regulations. The new equipment enables the company to conduct precise in-house testing of friction materials, including brake pads and linings, to ensure they meet strict environmental standards regarding brake dust. This breakthrough in research infrastructure allows the company to accelerate the development of eco-friendly braking solutions for both original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket.
• In October 2024, Haldex introduced a new Heavy Duty specification for its automatic brake adjuster range, specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern braking systems. The launch included updated versions of the AA1 and S-ABA adjusters, which are critical components for the effective operation of drum brake systems commonly using brake shoes. These new adjusters were engineered to handle higher torque loads and the increased stress from electronic braking systems (EBS), ensuring improved durability and safety for commercial vehicles. This development addresses the evolving needs of the global commercial transport industry for more reliable braking mechanisms.
• In March 2024, Fras-le Mobility announced a strategic expansion of its operations in India, aiming to increase its production of friction components by 25% throughout the year. The company projected a production output of nearly 9.37 million brake linings and 180,000 brake pads, catering to the growing demand in the commercial vehicle segment. This expansion was supported by a collaboration with ASK Automotive, which enhances local manufacturing capabilities at their Manesar facility. The initiative underscores the company's commitment to strengthening its presence in the OEM market and serving the region's robust automotive sector.

Key Market Players

• Bosch Auto Parts
• Meritor, Inc
• Brake Parts Inc.
• ASK Automotive Pvt. Ltd.
• TRW Automotive
• BNA Automotive India Pvt Ltd
• ACDelco
• MAT Holdings Inc
• Kampol Company
• SBS Friction A/S

By Vehicle Type	By Type	By Sales Channel	By Region
Passenger cars LCV HCV	Leading/Trailing Twin Leading Duo Servo	OEM Aftermarket	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Automotive Brake Shoe Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Passenger cars
• LCV
• HCV

• Automotive Brake Shoe Market, By Type:

• Leading/Trailing
• Twin Leading
• Duo Servo

• Automotive Brake Shoe Market, By Sales Channel:

• OEM
• Aftermarket

• Automotive Brake Shoe 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