Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Aluminium Rods, Steel Rods, Titanium Rods, Magnesium Rods), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicle), By Engine Type (Four Stroke, L4, L6, V6, V8 Engines), By Region, Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 43.12 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.76%
Fastest Growing Segment	Passenger Car
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 57.00 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market will grow from USD 43.12 Billion in 2025 to USD 57.00 Billion by 2031 at a 4.76% CAGR. The automotive engine connecting rod is a vital powertrain component that links the piston to the crankshaft to convert reciprocating motion into the rotary motion required to drive the vehicle. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the sustained demand for internal combustion engine vehicles in emerging economies and the reliance on commercial vehicles for logistics which necessitate the high torque output of traditional engines. Additionally, the periodic requirement for engine overhauls and component replacements within the aging global vehicle fleet creates a steady revenue stream for the aftermarket sector.

One significant challenge impeding market expansion is the rapid global transition toward battery electric vehicles which eliminate the internal combustion engine entirely. Despite this structural shift, the volume of traditional vehicle manufacturing remains substantial and continues to sustain component demand. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2024, the cumulative production of automobiles in China reached 31.28 million units. This robust manufacturing output indicates that the production of conventional and hybrid vehicles continues to generate significant orders for connecting rods.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing global vehicle production and sales volume primarily propel the manufacturing of connecting rods. As original equipment manufacturers ramp up output to meet consumer recovery, the requirement for internal combustion engines remains substantial, directly translating to component orders. While electrification is expanding, the sheer scale of traditional gasoline and diesel engine production in emerging markets ensures a continuous need for powertrain components. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, April 2024, in the 'Flash Report', domestic sales of passenger vehicles reached a record 4.21 million units in the fiscal year 2023-24. This surge in vehicle assembly necessitates a proportional supply of connecting rods to equip multi-cylinder engines, thereby sustaining production lines and creating steady demand for forged and cast iron components.

The expansion of the commercial and heavy-duty vehicle sectors serves as a critical catalyst for market growth, particularly for high-strength steel connecting rods. These vehicles, which predominantly utilize high-torque diesel engines for logistics and construction, require durable powertrain systems capable of withstanding immense cylinder pressure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, November 2024, in the 'Commercial Vehicle Registrations' report, new EU van sales increased by 8.5 percent to reach 1.17 million units over the first three quarters of the year. This segment is less susceptible to rapid electrification than the passenger car segment, providing long-term stability for component suppliers. Reflecting the broader health of the supply chain supporting these powertrain needs, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India, in 2024, the turnover of the automotive component industry stood at USD 74.1 billion.

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Key Market Challenges

The rapid global transition toward battery electric vehicles constitutes a significant structural impediment to the growth of the connecting rod market. This challenge arises from the fundamental difference in powertrain architecture; battery electric vehicles utilize electric motors for propulsion rather than internal combustion engines. Consequently, these vehicles do not require pistons, crankshafts, or the connecting rods that link them. As automotive original equipment manufacturers increasingly shift their capital investment and assembly lines toward electric platforms, the proportional demand for traditional engine components is naturally suppressed, effectively shrinking the potential addressable market for connecting rod manufacturers.

This displacement of demand is illustrated by recent production trends in leading automotive markets. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2024, the production of new energy vehicles reached 12.89 million units. This substantial volume represents nearly thirteen million vehicles entering the market without necessitating a single connecting rod. As the market share of these vehicles expands, the corresponding reduction in orders for internal combustion engine components directly hampers volume growth in the connecting rod sector, offsetting gains from the broader expansion of the global vehicle fleet.

Key Market Trends

The development of specialized connecting rods for hybrid powertrains is reshaping engineering requirements as automakers increasingly utilize hybridization to bridge the gap between internal combustion and full electrification. Unlike standard combustion engines, hybrid architectures impose unique stress cycles on connecting rods due to frequent start-stop operations and the need for immediate high-torque availability, necessitating components that balance extreme fatigue strength with minimized reciprocating mass. This sustained reliance on advanced internal combustion technology within electrified platforms ensures continued volume growth for high-specification powertrain components. According to the Metal Powder Industries Federation, June 2025, in the 'State of the PM Industry in North America—2025' report, sales of traditional hybrid vehicles surged by nearly 37 percent in 2024, highlighting the expanding role of combustion-engine mating components in the modern vehicle fleet.

The emergence of hollow connecting rod designs for weight reduction constitutes a parallel trend, enabling engines to achieve higher rotational speeds and improved thermal efficiency. Automakers are increasingly specifying these complex, lightweight components to meet stringent global fuel economy standards without sacrificing the structural durability required for downsized, turbocharged engines. This shift toward high-value, precision-engineered powertrain assemblies is generating substantial returns for component manufacturers capable of executing these advanced designs. According to Linamar Corporation, March 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', normalized operating earnings for the Mobility segment increased by 30.6 percent compared to the previous year, driven by higher content per vehicle and the successful launch of new propulsion programs that utilize these sophisticated technologies.

Segmental Insights

The Passenger Car segment represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, driven largely by increasing vehicle ownership in emerging economies. As rapid urbanization boosts the demand for personal transport, manufacturers are scaling production to meet global needs. Additionally, strict emission standards set by authorities like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the European Commission necessitate improved fuel economy. This regulatory environment compels the industry to integrate lightweight, high-strength connecting rods that reduce engine weight and enhance efficiency, thereby directly supporting the segment's rapid expansion.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the global automotive engine connecting rods market, primarily driven by the immense scale of vehicle manufacturing in key economies such as China and India. Data from institutions like the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers indicates sustained growth in regional automotive output, which directly correlates with the high demand for engine components. The region benefits from established supply chains and the presence of major original equipment manufacturers focusing on high-volume production. This robust industrial activity, combined with increasing vehicle ownership rates, solidifies Asia Pacific as the dominant region in this sector.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, the engine component manufacturer CP-Carrillo unveiled a new range of connecting rods at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show. The company's latest product offerings included connecting rods manufactured from titanium and aluminum, as well as a variant produced from a new high-strength steel alloy. These components were designed to provide an optimized strength-to-weight ratio, catering to the specific needs of professional motorsport teams and high-performance engine builders. This expansion of the product portfolio reflected the continued focus within the global market on leveraging material science to improve the reliability and efficiency of reciprocating engine assemblies.
• In November 2024, the performance component manufacturer BoostLine introduced a redesigned series of connecting rods at the SEMA Show, targeting high-horsepower automotive applications. The company updated its connecting rod architecture by reinforcing the pin end and increasing the material volume at the big end to withstand the elevated cylinder pressures of modern engines. These engineering enhancements resulted in a reported 40 percent increase in structural strength compared to previous designs, directly addressing the requirements of the high-performance aftermarket. This product update illustrated the ongoing evolution of steel connecting rod technology to accommodate the increasing power outputs of modified automotive engines.
• In August 2024, Automobili Lamborghini launched the Temerario super sports car, equipped with a newly designed twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain. The engine was engineered with titanium connecting rods, a material choice that was essential for enabling the unit to reach a rotational speed of 10,000 rpm. This deployment of specialized connecting rods demonstrated the component's vital role in managing high mechanical stress and reducing inertia within the rotating assembly. The launch reinforced the continuing relevance of material innovation in the automotive sector, particularly as manufacturers seek to maximize the power density and efficiency of hybrid electric vehicle powertrains.
• In July 2024, the automotive manufacturer Chevrolet unveiled the 2025 Corvette ZR1, featuring the new LT7 twin-turbocharged V8 engine. A critical engineering advancement in this powertrain was the integration of titanium connecting rods, which were selected to significantly reduce reciprocating mass and support the engine's high-revving architecture. This application of titanium components in a series-production vehicle highlighted a strategic move towards using lightweight, high-strength materials to enhance engine durability and responsiveness. The development underscored the broader industry trend of adopting advanced alloys in the connecting rod market to meet the rigorous performance demands of modern high-output internal combustion engines.

Key Market Players

• Mahle GmbH
• Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
• Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
• Iwis Motorsysteme GmbH & Co. KG
• Miba AG
• Rheinmetall Automotive AG
• Clevite, Inc.
• Metaldyne Performance Group, Inc.
• KSPG AG
• Molins Engine Components Ltd.

By Product Type	By Vehicle Type	By Engine Type	By Region
Aluminium Rods Steel Rods Titanium Rods Magnesium Rods	Passenger Car Light Commercial Vehicles Heavy Commercial Vehicle	Four Stroke L4 L6 V6 V8 Engines	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, By Product Type:

• Aluminium Rods
• Steel Rods
• Titanium Rods
• Magnesium Rods

• Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Car
• Light Commercial Vehicles
• Heavy Commercial Vehicle

• Automotive Engine Connecting Rods Market, By Engine Type:

• Four Stroke
• L4
• L6
• V6
• V8 Engines

• Automotive Engine Connecting Rods 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