Automotive Crankshaft Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, By Type (Flat Plane, Cross Plane), By Material (Cast Steel, Forged Iron/steel), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles), By Region & Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global Automotive Crankshaft Market was valued at USD 3.85 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5.10 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. The automotive crankshaft market is evolving rapidly as internal combustion engines continue to power the majority of vehicles globally, despite the rise of electric alternatives. Crankshafts remain integral to engine performance, converting linear piston motion into rotational motion. With global vehicle production witnessing steady growth, especially in commercial and passenger car segments, the need for durable and efficient crankshafts is expanding. Automakers are focused on engine downsizing while preserving output, placing greater stress on crankshaft components, thus elevating their design and material requirements. High-performance crankshafts built to withstand higher loads are becoming more common in modern powertrain systems.

Material innovation and process optimization are becoming central to crankshaft manufacturing. There is a growing shift toward forged materials and refined casting techniques that enhance component longevity and thermal resistance. At the same time, automakers are investing in crankshaft balancing technologies to minimize vibration and improve engine refinement. The adoption of advanced manufacturing tools, including CNC machining and computer-aided design, is streamlining crankshaft customization for diverse engine configurations. These improvements not only increase vehicle efficiency but also contribute to stricter compliance with fuel economy and emission standards. One of the emerging opportunities in the market lies in the hybrid engine sector, where crankshaft integration with electric motor components is creating new design requirements. While electric vehicles do not use crankshafts, hybrid powertrains still rely on them, thus sustaining demand in the transition period. However, market players face challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices and the potential long-term decline in internal combustion engine production. Balancing cost, durability, and efficiency remains key to meeting evolving consumer expectations in the automotive sector.

Market Drivers

Rising Demand for High-Performance Engines

Consumer expectations around acceleration, towing capacity, and engine responsiveness are increasing across vehicle segments. Crankshafts play a crucial role in enabling high horsepower and torque output without sacrificing engine stability. Automakers are therefore emphasizing stronger and more refined crankshafts to handle high-pressure combustion cycles. These components are now engineered to support turbocharged and supercharged engines, commonly found in performance cars and newer commercial vehicles. The increased use of advanced materials and precision machining processes enables crankshafts to support higher cylinder pressures while maintaining engine balance and integrity.

Growing Automotive Production Across Developing Countries

Emerging economies are witnessing a surge in vehicle manufacturing due to industrial expansion, improved income levels, and rising urbanization. This growth is pushing the demand for engine components like crankshafts. Localized manufacturing strategies in countries such as India, Indonesia, and Mexico are supporting large-scale engine assembly operations, further fueling crankshaft adoption. Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers are scaling production lines to meet regional needs, supporting OEMs with quick supply turnarounds and custom part designs. Increased investments in new vehicle platforms and engine variants are expected to strengthen crankshaft demand in these regions.

Adoption of Lightweight Engine Components

To meet stringent fuel economy and emission norms, automakers are reducing engine weight without compromising strength. Crankshafts, traditionally made of heavy forged materials, are being re-engineered using lightweight alloys and optimized designs. This transition is helping manufacturers lower vehicle curb weight, improve fuel efficiency, and enhance handling. Advanced computer-aided design techniques now enable precise weight distribution across crankshafts, eliminating excess material while ensuring performance under stress. These lightweight crankshafts are especially critical in compact and mid-sized engines used in urban and sub-compact cars.

Technological Advancements in Crankshaft Manufacturing

The introduction of automated forging, heat treatment, and precision grinding technologies has significantly improved crankshaft production efficiency and quality. Manufacturers are adopting CNC-based systems for tighter tolerances, enabling crankshafts to achieve better fit and reduced vibration during engine operation. Techniques like induction hardening and plasma nitriding are extending part lifespan and wear resistance. These improvements allow crankshafts to operate reliably in more demanding engine environments while lowering maintenance costs. Innovation in nondestructive testing is also helping in early detection of microfractures, improving component reliability.

Integration in Hybrid Powertrain Designs

Hybrid vehicles, which combine internal combustion engines with electric motors, still rely on mechanical crankshafts in their thermal engine components. As hybrid adoption increases globally, there is a consistent requirement for crankshafts compatible with compact and high-efficiency engines. These crankshafts often need to accommodate rapid start-stop cycles and must interface smoothly with electric drive modules. Manufacturers are now tailoring crankshaft geometry and strength characteristics for hybrid-specific engines, creating niche demand segments. This diversification ensures sustained market demand even as full-electric adoption remains gradual. For instance, in January 2025, American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), a U.S.-based automotive supplier, acquired British car parts firm Dowlais for USD 1.60 billion. Dowlais, primarily operating as GKN Automotive, supplies 90% of the world's carmakers. This acquisition aims to bolster both companies amid the shift to electric vehicles, creating a leading global manufacturer equipped to innovate in a changing business landscape. 

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Fluctuating Raw Material Costs

Steel, iron, and alloy prices used in crankshaft manufacturing are highly susceptible to global commodity trends. Any volatility in supply chains or geopolitical tensions can affect procurement costs, impacting profitability for manufacturers. Crankshaft makers must hedge against such risks through long-term sourcing contracts or diversifying suppliers, both of which increase operational complexity. Sudden price surges in essential metals can delay production schedules and force adjustments in product pricing, especially in price-sensitive markets. Maintaining quality while controlling costs becomes more difficult during raw material cost inflation periods.

Stringent Emission and Fuel Economy Regulations

Global environmental policies continue to tighten, placing indirect pressure on crankshaft design and material usage. Crankshaft manufacturers must comply with lightweighting norms without sacrificing structural integrity. This shift demands increased R&D investment to develop high-strength yet low-density materials, which may not always be commercially viable at scale. Further, regulatory mandates around end-of-life recyclability and eco-friendly manufacturing processes add another layer of compliance burden. Suppliers failing to meet these expectations may face contract rejections from OEMs pursuing green certifications. Modern engines are being downsized to improve efficiency, but still need to deliver strong output, which places increased mechanical stress on crankshafts. These compact engines operate at higher RPMs and with greater turbocharging pressure, requiring more robust crankshaft designs. However, integrating durability with tight size and weight constraints makes manufacturing more difficult. Maintaining balance while reducing mass and ensuring resistance to fatigue poses technical challenges, especially in multi-cylinder layouts. Iterative design testing and precision validation are necessary, lengthening production timelines and development costs.

Intense Market Competition

The automotive crankshaft market is fragmented, with numerous regional and global players competing on price, quality, and innovation. Entry barriers for basic crankshaft production are relatively low, leading to market saturation in certain regions. This limits pricing power for established firms and forces continual investment in process efficiency to remain competitive. Smaller players may compromise on quality to gain market share, making differentiation based on reliability and lifespan critical. Continuous improvement is necessary to retain OEM contracts in an environment driven by cost optimization. Crankshafts are not used in fully electric vehicles, which threatens long-term demand as EV adoption rises. While the market currently benefits from ICE and hybrid vehicle dominance, the acceleration of EV policies and infrastructure investments may shrink the addressable market. OEMs shifting focus to electric mobility are reducing R&D in ICE components, potentially limiting opportunities for crankshaft innovation. Although the full transition to EVs will take time, component manufacturers must begin diversifying to avoid over-reliance on a declining technology base.

Key Market Trends

Shift Toward Lightweight Forged Crankshafts

The industry is moving from traditional cast iron crankshafts to lightweight forged alternatives. Forged crankshafts offer higher strength-to-weight ratios and are better suited to modern downsized, turbocharged engines. Their improved durability and fatigue resistance are making them popular among OEMs aiming to optimize performance while maintaining compliance with efficiency standards. This trend is accelerating as precision forging techniques become more affordable and widespread. Minimizing engine noise and vibration is becoming a major design focus. Crankshaft manufacturers are investing in advanced balancing techniques and dynamic simulation software to optimize crankshaft harmonics. Accurate mass distribution reduces wear and improves engine longevity. Vibration-reducing technologies are especially valuable in high-speed and hybrid engines, where smooth operation enhances driver experience and component life.

Use of High-Performance Alloys

Crankshaft development is increasingly relying on high-performance alloys such as micro-alloyed steels and vanadium-based compositions. These materials provide superior fatigue strength, hardness, and thermal stability. The use of such alloys supports the need for lighter yet more durable parts, especially in vehicles facing tougher operating conditions. As alloy technology matures, it enables crankshaft manufacturers to reduce machining times and improve efficiency. Manufacturers are implementing smart factory solutions to monitor and optimize crankshaft production. Use of IoT-based sensors and real-time quality control tools is improving yield rates. Data analytics helps detect anomalies in forging, heat treatment, and machining stages. Predictive maintenance and digital twins are enabling better resource management and downtime reduction across production facilities.

Crankshaft Customization for Niche Vehicle Segments

Automotive diversification is giving rise to demand for customized crankshafts tailored for off-road vehicles, sports cars, and hybrid-electric variants. This has encouraged modular design frameworks and flexible production lines capable of handling smaller batch volumes. Customization allows for exact tolerance tuning, material selection, and geometry optimization, which improves engine responsiveness and longevity across niche markets.

Segmental Insights

Material Insights

The automotive crankshaft market features two major material types—cast steel and forged iron/steel. Cast steel crankshafts are typically produced using casting techniques that offer cost-effectiveness and ease of shaping complex geometries. These crankshafts are often used in engines with moderate performance requirements, especially in passenger vehicles and small commercial engines. Their manufacturing process allows for flexibility in design, making them suitable for high-volume production with minimal machining. However, cast steel crankshafts may require post-treatment processes to enhance durability, especially under high stress. Forged crankshafts are produced by compressing heated metal into specific shapes, resulting in a denser and stronger product. These crankshafts are favored in high-performance applications such as sports cars, heavy-duty trucks, and engines operating under severe loads. The forging process aligns the metal’s grain structure along the shape of the crankshaft, increasing fatigue resistance and tensile strength. As modern engines are built with higher torque outputs, forged crankshafts are often selected for their ability to endure elevated pressure and rotational speeds. The ability to fine-tune material properties through post-forging treatments further enhances their appeal in advanced powertrains. Manufacturers consider performance requirements, cost considerations, and vehicle application when selecting between cast and forged materials.

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

In 2024, Asia-Pacific emerged as the dominant region in the global automotive crankshaft market. The region’s strong position is supported by its high-volume vehicle production and presence of established automotive manufacturing hubs across countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India. These countries are not only major exporters of finished vehicles but also of automotive components, including crankshafts. The extensive presence of powertrain assembly lines, supported by a robust supplier ecosystem, creates steady demand for crankshafts across passenger and commercial vehicle categories. Domestic automakers, alongside global OEMs, continue to expand their engine production capacity to cater to both domestic and international markets. Asia-Pacific’s cost-effective labor force and established logistics infrastructure attract global investment in crankshaft manufacturing facilities. R&D activities in the region are also increasing, with manufacturers working to improve thermal performance and fatigue resistance in high-speed engines. Government policies promoting local manufacturing under automotive development programs further contribute to the region’s dominance. The proliferation of hybrid vehicles in Japan and China sustains crankshaft demand even as electrification progresses. A growing aftermarket segment in countries with aging vehicle fleets supports crankshaft replacement and maintenance, contributing to overall market growth in the region.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), a U.S.-based automotive supplier, acquired British car parts firm Dowlais for £1.2 billion. Dowlais, primarily operating as GKN Automotive, supplies 90% of the world's carmakers. This acquisition aims to bolster both companies amid the shift to electric vehicles, creating a leading global manufacturer equipped to innovate in a changing business landscape. 
• In May 2024, Renault and Geely established Horse Powertrain Limited, a joint venture aimed at producing powertrains, including internal combustion engines (ICE) and hybrid systems. The venture combines Renault's and Geely's powertrain operations, with a focus on delivering advanced powertrain solutions to various automakers.
• In July 2024, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) acquired STX Heavy Industries, a South Korea-based manufacturer of automotive crankshafts. Following this acquisition, HD Hyundai plans to leverage advanced manufacturing technologies in key components like crankshafts and turbochargers to enhance synergy with HD HHI. The acquisition aims to capitalize on eco-friendly engine technologies and broaden its global distribution network, bolstering its competitive position in the ship engine market.

Key Market Players

• MAHLE GmbH
• ThyssenKrupp AG
• Bharat Forge Ltd.
• CIE Automotive S.A.
• Maschinenfabrik Alfing Kessler GmbH
• Nippon Steel Integrated Crankshaft LLC
• Tianrun Crankshaft Co., Ltd.
• Arrow Precision Ltd.
• Crower Cams & Equipment Co., Inc.
• Farndon Engineering Ltd.

Report Scope:

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

•         Automotive Crankshaft Market, By Type:

o    Flat Plane

o    Cross Plane

•         Automotive Crankshaft Market, By Material:

o    Cast Steel

o    Forged Iron/steel

•         Automotive Crankshaft Market, By Vehicle Type:

o    Passenger Cars

o    Commercial Vehicles

•         Automotive Crankshaft Market, By Region:

o    North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o    Europe & CIS

§  Germany

§  France

§  U.K.

§  Spain

§  Italy

o    Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  Japan

§  India

§  South Korea

o    Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

§  Turkey

o    South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Automotive Crankshaft Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Automotive Crankshaft Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to the company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Automotive Crankshaft Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]