Automotive Clutch Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Transmission Type (Manual, Automatic, Automated Manual Transmission, Others), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 23.32 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.51%
Fastest Growing Segment	Passenger Vehicles
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 32.17 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Clutch Market will grow from USD 23.32 Billion in 2025 to USD 32.17 Billion by 2031 at a 5.51% CAGR. An automotive clutch is a mechanical component positioned between the engine and the gearbox that manages the engagement and disengagement of power transmission to facilitate smooth gear transitions. The market is primarily driven by the consistent rise in global vehicle manufacturing and the growing requirement for fuel efficient transmission technologies in both passenger and commercial segments. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, in 2024, global motor vehicle production reached 92.5 million units. This significant volume of vehicle output underscores the sustained demand for reliable drivetrain components and supports the continual need for advanced transmission assemblies.

However, the market faces a substantial challenge from the accelerating transition toward electric mobility. The widespread adoption of battery electric vehicles, which predominantly utilize single speed transmissions without standard clutch systems, threatens to limit the long term expansion potential for traditional friction clutch manufacturers.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing integration of specialized clutches in hybrid electric powertrains serves as a critical growth engine, mitigating the potential volume loss from the shift to battery electric vehicles. Unlike pure electric architectures, hybrid systems—including mild, full, and plug-in variants—retain sophisticated transmission assemblies that necessitate advanced friction technologies, such as disconnect clutches and dual-clutch modules, to manage the interplay between internal combustion engines and electric motors. This technological reliance is substantiated by recent market trends; according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, in January 2025, hybrid-electric vehicle registrations in the European Union recorded a 33.1% year-on-year increase for December 2024, capturing a notable 33.6% market share. Such robust adoption underscores a sustained reliance on high-performance clutch systems to facilitate seamless power delivery in electrified drivetrains, driving development in dampening and torque transfer technologies.

Simultaneously, the market is bolstered by expanding aftermarket demand from aging global vehicle fleets, which necessitates consistent replacement of wear-prone drivetrain components. As economic pressures and improved vehicle durability encourage consumers to extend ownership cycles, the average age of the operating parc has risen, directly increasing the frequency of clutch repairs and replacements outside the warranty period. Highlighting this trend, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association reported in its 'Vehicles on European Roads' study in September 2024 that the average age of passenger cars in the European Union had reached 12.3 years. This aging installed base provides a resilient revenue stream for aftermarket suppliers, independent of new vehicle sales volatility. Furthermore, the continuous influx of new inventory guarantees future aftermarket opportunities; according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in January 2025, annual vehicle production in China reached a record 31.28 million units in 2024, ensuring a vast pipeline of vehicles that will eventually require transmission maintenance.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The accelerating transition toward electric mobility presents a structural impediment to the expansion of the traditional clutch sector. As the automotive industry pivots toward battery electric vehicles, the fundamental drivetrain architecture is shifting away from internal combustion engines that rely on complex multi-speed transmission systems. Unlike conventional vehicles which necessitate a friction clutch to modulate power transfer between the engine and gearbox, the majority of battery electric vehicles operate using single-speed transmissions. This architectural change renders the conventional automotive clutch obsolete in these platforms, directly eroding the addressable market for manufacturers who specialize in friction-based transmission components.

This trend significantly reduces the volume of vehicles requiring standard clutch assemblies, creating a volume gap that traditional growth cannot easily offset. The scale of this disruption is evident in recent industrial statistics from major manufacturing hubs. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2024, sales of new energy vehicles totaled approximately 12.87 million units. Since a vast proportion of these vehicles utilize electric powertrains that exclude standard clutch systems, this substantial production volume represents a lost revenue stream for traditional suppliers. Consequently, as electric vehicle penetration deepens, the dependency on legacy drivetrain components diminishes, constraining the overall growth trajectory of the global market.

Key Market Trends

The market is experiencing a significant Surge in Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) Integration, specifically electrified variants designed to optimize hybrid powertrain efficiency. As automakers balance internal combustion performance with electric assistance, the eDCT has become a preferred solution for its compact packaging and seamless torque handling. This industrial pivot is evident in major manufacturing expansions to support hybridization strategies; according to Stellantis, February 2025, in the announcement 'Stellantis strengthens production of eDCT transmissions in Italy', the company detailed plans to expand production at its Termoli facility to an annual capacity of 300,000 units. This strategic ramp-up highlights the sector's commitment to scaling DCT availability for next-generation mild and plug-in hybrid fleets.

Simultaneously, the Shift Toward Wet Friction Clutch Architectures is accelerating, driven by the requirement for superior thermal stability in high-demand drivetrains. Unlike dry systems, wet architectures utilize oil cooling to effectively manage the intense heat generated during frequent engagement cycles, a critical feature for ensuring the durability of modern high-performance vehicles. This technological preference is further reinforced by innovations in sustainable component lifecycles; according to Valeo, October 2025, in the release 'Valeo wins the EQUIP AUTO Paris 2025 International Automotive Innovation Award for its remanufactured dual wet clutch', the company highlighted that this specific wet friction technology is already fitted to more than 5 million vehicles in Europe. This underscores the industry's dual focus on robust thermal performance and circular economy principles in clutch development.

Segmental Insights

The Passenger Vehicles segment represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Automotive Clutch Market, driven largely by increasing vehicle production rates and rising ownership levels in emerging economies. As urbanization accelerates and disposable incomes rise, the demand for personal mobility solutions continues to expand, directly boosting the requirement for transmission systems. Additionally, the enduring prevalence of manual and automated manual transmissions in these high-volume markets supports the sustained adoption of associated clutch components. This trend ensures the segment remains a primary driver of overall market expansion.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the global automotive clutch market, driven significantly by the high volume of automobile manufacturing in China and India. The region benefits from competitive production costs and the established presence of major original equipment manufacturers. Additionally, rising disposable income levels have accelerated the demand for passenger vehicles, necessitating consistent production of transmission components. This dominance is further supported by industrial data from organizations like the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, which highlights the region's sustained contribution to global vehicle output and the resulting demand for essential drivetrain parts.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, ZF Friedrichshafen secured a substantial contract to supply heavy-duty clutch systems to a prominent commercial vehicle manufacturer in India. The agreement focused on the local production of a 430mm clutch system, which was customized to withstand the severe operating conditions and high load requirements of the domestic market. Manufacturing was scheduled to take place at the company’s plant in Pune, supporting its strategy of regionalizing supply chains. This partnership aimed to provide fleet operators with durable transmission components that offer a longer service life and a reduced total cost of ownership.
• In November 2024, Schaeffler officially began the mass production of a shiftable one-way clutch at its manufacturing facility in Taicang, China. This new disconnect technology was developed for all-wheel-drive electric vehicles to improve efficiency by mechanically decoupling the auxiliary drive axle when extra traction is not required. The system was designed to re-engage the secondary drive within milliseconds, ensuring seamless performance and stability. This product launch demonstrated the company’s commitment to advancing thermal and mechanical efficiency in modern electric powertrains, directly addressing the market need for extended vehicle range.
• In October 2024, Eaton announced the expansion of its aftermarket portfolio by introducing a new kit that pairs its Advantage automated series clutch with a Cummins flywheel. This product launch was designed to support the maintenance of automated manual transmissions in heavy-duty commercial vehicles. By bundling these critical components, the company aimed to streamline the repair process and ensure optimal compatibility between the clutch and the engine interface. The initiative highlighted the manufacturer's focus on providing comprehensive driveline solutions that extend vehicle uptime and prevent premature wear through the simultaneous replacement of mating parts.
• In July 2024, BorgWarner supplied its advanced wet clutch and hydraulic control module for Buick’s newly launched GL8 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in China. These components were integrated into the vehicle's two-speed hybrid transmission, marking a significant step in the automaker's transition to new energy powertrains. The supplier's wet clutch technology was specifically engineered to enhance system efficiency by minimizing drag torque and utilizing compact packaging. This collaboration underscored the company’s ability to support major automotive manufacturers with localized production and specialized drivetrain solutions for the growing hybrid market.

Key Market Players

• Valeo
• ZF Friedrichshafen
• Schaeffler
• Exedy
• LuK
• Aisin
• BorgWarner
• Denso
• Federal-Mogul
• Kongsberg Automotive

By Transmission Type	By Vehicle Type	By Region
Manual Automatic Automated Manual Transmission Others	Passenger Vehicles Commercial Vehicles	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Automotive Clutch Market, By Transmission Type:

• Manual
• Automatic
• Automated Manual Transmission
• Others

• Automotive Clutch Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Vehicles
• Commercial Vehicles

• Automotive Clutch 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