Automotive Engine Belt Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Service Type (Ride Hailing, Car Sharing, Bike Sharing, Scooter Sharing, Micro Mobility Solutions), By Vehicle Type (Cars, Bicycles, Scooters, Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles), By User Demographics (Consumer, Corporate, Tourist), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 23.96 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.29%
Fastest Growing Segment	Electric Vehicles
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 34.55 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Engine Belt Market will grow from USD 23.96 Billion in 2025 to USD 34.55 Billion by 2031 at a 6.29% CAGR. An automotive engine belt is a flexible band, typically composed of reinforced rubber or synthetic polymers, designed to transmit power from the crankshaft to various auxiliary components such as the alternator, water pump, and power steering pump. The market is fundamentally driven by the consistent volume of global vehicle manufacturing and the recurring necessity for aftermarket replacements in the existing fleet. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), the world produced 92.5 million motor vehicles in 2024, underscoring the substantial industrial scale that sustains demand for these essential powertrain components.

However, the market faces a distinct challenge arising from the automotive industry's electrification. The rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) significantly reduces the reliance on traditional engine belts, as EV powertrains involve fewer mechanical auxiliaries and lack the complex belt systems found in internal combustion engines. This structural transition in vehicle architecture creates a long-term impediment to volume growth for conventional engine belt manufacturers.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of global automotive production serves as a primary catalyst for the engine belt market, directly fueling demand for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components. As automakers ramp up manufacturing output to meet recovering consumer appetite, the procurement of timing and accessory drive belts scales proportionately with vehicle assembly rates. This trend is particularly evident in major manufacturing hubs where industrial output has remained robust. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), January 2025, the country achieved a cumulative annual automobile production of 31.28 million units in 2024, underscoring the substantial volume of powertrain components required for new vehicle assemblies.

Simultaneously, the rising vehicle parc and an aging global fleet are critical in sustaining the aftermarket segment, which often yields higher margins than OEM sales. As vehicles remain in operation for longer periods, the wear on rubber components necessitates periodic replacement of serpentine and timing belts to prevent engine failure. This longevity trend significantly expands the addressable market for service parts, buffering suppliers against cyclical dips in new car production. For instance, according to Gates Industrial Corporation, October 2025, third-quarter net sales reached $855.7 million, supported by solid growth in the automotive replacement channel. This aftermarket resilience is further evidenced by broader industry performance; according to Continental AG, November 2025, consolidated sales in the third quarter of 2025 reached €5.0 billion, driven in part by strong demand in the replacement business despite challenges in the original equipment sector.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenge hampering the growth of the Global Automotive Engine Belt Market is the accelerating transition toward vehicle electrification, which fundamentally alters the mechanical architecture of modern automobiles. Unlike internal combustion engines that rely on a complex network of timing and serpentine belts to synchronize the crankshaft with auxiliary systems, battery electric vehicles utilize electric motors to power components such as water pumps and air conditioning compressors directly. This elimination of mechanical drive systems significantly reduces the number of belts per vehicle, thereby shrinking the addressable market for these components in both original equipment and aftermarket segments.

The magnitude of this shift is evident in the substantial volume of vehicles entering the market with minimal engine belt requirements. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2024, the sales of new energy vehicles reached 12.87 million units. As these vehicles capture a larger share of global production, belt manufacturers face a structural decline in unit demand. This transition creates a lasting barrier to volume growth as the industry moves away from the combustion technologies that sustain the market.

Key Market Trends

The Development of Specialized Belts for 48V Mild Hybrid Systems is emerging as a crucial trend, effectively counteracting the volume decline associated with full electrification. Unlike battery electric vehicles that eliminate traditional drive belts, mild hybrid architectures utilize Belt-Alternator-Starter (BAS) systems requiring high-performance, reinforced belts to manage frequent start-stop cycling and torque boosts. This technology bridges the gap between internal combustion and electric powertrains, ensuring sustained demand for advanced belt solutions in the medium term. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), January 2025, in the 'New car registrations: +0.8% in 2024' report, the registration of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in the European Union surged by 33.1% in December, signaling a rapidly expanding install base for these specialized powertrain components.

Simultaneously, the Adoption of Belt-in-Oil (BiO) Timing Technologies is gaining significant traction, particularly as these systems transition from niche original equipment applications to the broader aftermarket. BiO systems replace traditional dry belts and chains, offering lower friction and reduced emissions, but they require specialized materials to withstand continuous oil immersion and chemical exposure. This shift opens a lucrative new revenue stream for suppliers capable of delivering complex, chemically resistant replacement parts. For instance, according to Dayco, November 2025, in the 'Dayco Brings Timing Belt in Oil to N.A. Aftermarket' press release, the company launched its Belt-in-Oil program for the North American aftermarket, providing coverage for more than 2 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with these advanced drive systems.

Segmental Insights

The Electric Vehicle segment is positioning itself as the fastest-growing category within the global automotive engine belt market, primarily driven by the rising adoption of hybrid electric vehicles. Stringent emission mandates enforced by authorities such as the European Commission are compelling manufacturers to develop low-emission transport, resulting in a surge of hybrid powertrains that retain internal combustion engines. These hybrid systems often utilize specialized belts for applications like belt-integrated starter generators to ensure efficient power transmission. Consequently, the transition toward electrification creates sustained demand for durable engine belts within this expanding market sector.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Automotive Engine Belt Market due to the extensive volume of commercial and passenger vehicles in operation. The region benefits from a mature automotive manufacturing sector and a consistent demand for aftermarket maintenance services. Furthermore, strict fuel economy standards monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency necessitate the use of durable engine components to maintain optimal performance. This regulatory environment, combined with high vehicle ownership rates, ensures a steady requirement for engine belts, cementing the region's dominant status in the global industry.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, Mitsuboshi Belting announced the expansion of its production facilities dedicated to Electric Power Steering (EPS) drive belts to accommodate the rising global demand for electric vehicles. The company reported that the shift towards electrification had created new growth opportunities for high-precision belts used in electric drive units and personal mobility devices. This strategic move was aimed at strengthening the supply chain for next-generation automotive components, ensuring the stable delivery of high-quality belts that meet the specific noise and efficiency requirements of electric powertrains.
• In September 2024, Continental unveiled the CONTI NXT Multi V-belt, a pioneering sustainable product for the automotive aftermarket, during a leading trade fair in Frankfurt. This innovative belt is distinguished by its composition, which includes a high proportion of renewable and recycled materials, such as tension cords made from recycled PET bottles and organic fibers. The company highlighted that the new belt significantly reduces the carbon footprint while maintaining the same performance and durability as conventional belts. This launch aligns with the manufacturer's strategic focus on increasing environmental compatibility across its drive system portfolio.
• In May 2024, Dayco announced the expansion of its product offerings in China by introducing a new range of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and scooter belts aimed at the original equipment market. Showcased at a major industry event in Beijing, these high-performance timing belts were engineered to be lighter, more efficient, and maintenance-free, offering a superior alternative to traditional chain systems. The company emphasized its strategy to serve the fast-growing personal mobility industry in the region by leveraging its global research and development capabilities to provide advanced belt drive solutions for local manufacturers.
• In April 2024, Bando Chemical Industries launched a newly developed Double Cog Belt featuring cellulose nanofiber (CNF) compounded rubber, marking a significant advancement in the mobility sector. Designed specifically for high-load applications such as large buggies and scooters, this product incorporates CNF technology to enhance reinforcement and durability while maintaining flexibility. The development was part of a broader initiative to utilize sustainable materials and improve power transmission capabilities in heavy-duty mobility solutions. This launch represented the world’s first commercialization of a belt using this specific CNF-rubber composite, addressing the need for robust components in the evolving personal mobility market.

Key Market Players

• Continental AG
• Gates Industrial Corporation plc
• Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd
• Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd
• Dayco Incorporated
• AB SKF
• Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
• Optibelt GmbH
• HUTCHINSON SA
• Schaeffler AG

By Service Type	By Vehicle Type	By User Demographics	By Region
Ride Hailing Car Sharing Bike Sharing Scooter Sharing Micro Mobility Solutions	Cars Bicycles Scooters Electric Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles	Consumer Corporate Tourist	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Automotive Engine Belt Market, By Service Type:

• Ride Hailing
• Car Sharing
• Bike Sharing
• Scooter Sharing
• Micro Mobility Solutions

• Automotive Engine Belt Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Cars
• Bicycles
• Scooters
• Electric Vehicles
• Hybrid Vehicles

• Automotive Engine Belt Market, By User Demographics:

• Consumer
• Corporate
• Tourist

• Automotive Engine Belt 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