Automotive Passenger Car Clutch Plate Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Less than 9 inches, 9.1 to 10 inches, 10.1 to 11 inches, More than 11 inches), By Demand Category (OEM, Aftermarket) By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.87 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.72%
Fastest Growing Segment	Aftermarket
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.39 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Passenger Car Clutch Plate Market will grow from USD 3.87 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.39 Billion by 2031 at a 8.72% CAGR. The automotive passenger car clutch plate is a mechanical device consisting of a metallic disc with friction material, utilized to engage and disengage power transmission between the engine and the gearbox in internal combustion engine vehicles. The market is fundamentally supported by the rising volume of global passenger vehicle production and the sustained preference for manual and automated manual transmissions in emerging economies where cost efficiency is paramount. Additionally, the inherent wear and tear associated with friction components guarantees consistent demand from the aftermarket sector, serving as a stable revenue generator independent of new vehicle sales cycles.

Despite these strong foundational drivers, the accelerating transition toward electric mobility presents a substantial impediment to long-term market expansion since battery electric vehicles typically employ single-speed drivetrains that do not require conventional clutch systems. This tension between traditional manufacturing scale and evolving technology is evident in recent industrial data. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2024, passenger car production reached 27.48 million units, illustrating the continued robust scale of the internal combustion engine sector that currently sustains the demand for clutch components amidst the gradual shift in powertrain technologies.

Key Market Drivers

The Rising Global Production and Sales of Passenger Vehicles acts as the primary catalyst for the automotive clutch plate market, directly influencing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) demand. This driver is particularly potent in developing regions where infrastructure and consumer preference still heavily favor internal combustion engine (ICE) architectures over fully electric alternatives. As automakers ramp up manufacturing to meet mobility needs in these high-growth economies, the requirement for conventional transmission components, including friction discs and pressure plates, scales proportionately. Demonstrating this regional surge, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, April 2025, passenger vehicle sales in India reached an all-time high of 4.3 million units for the financial year 2024-25. Furthermore, established manufacturing hubs continue to contribute significantly to global volumes, sustaining a baseline demand for transmission systems. For instance, according to the German Association of the Automotive Industry, January 2025, domestic passenger car production in Germany amounted to 4.1 million units in 2024, underscoring the enduring industrial scale of traditional automotive assembly.

Simultaneously, the Expansion of the Automotive Aftermarket and Replacement Parts Sector provides a critical buffer against new vehicle sales volatility, ensuring long-term market stability. Clutch plates are friction-based components subject to inevitable wear and tear, making them a staple replacement item throughout a vehicle's operational life. This segment is currently being bolstered by economic factors that encourage consumers to retain their existing vehicles for longer periods, thereby increasing the average age of the global fleet and the likelihood of major powertrain repairs. As the fleet ages, the frequency of clutch servicing events rises, driving revenue for component suppliers independent of OEM production cycles. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, April 2025, the average age of a car on the road in the UK has risen to 9.5 years, a trend that directly correlates with increased service opportunities for the clutch replacement market.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The accelerating transition toward electric mobility constitutes the primary challenge restricting the growth of the global automotive passenger car clutch plate market. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, which rely on friction-based clutch systems to modulate power transfer between the engine and gearbox, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) predominately utilize single-speed transmissions that eliminate the need for a traditional clutch plate entirely. This technical obsolescence ensures that as the automotive industry increases production volumes to meet global mobility demand, a growing proportion of these new vehicles effectively bypasses the clutch supply chain, severing the historical correlation between rising vehicle output and component demand.

This disruption is quantifiable in recent industry shifts where electric powertrains are capturing significant market share, directly reducing the total addressable market for friction components. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, in 2024, the total market share for battery-electric cars stood at 13.6%. This figure represents a substantial volume of new vehicle registrations that generated zero revenue for clutch plate manufacturers. Consequently, the industry faces a structural contraction where the expansion of the broader automotive sector no longer guarantees parallel growth for clutch suppliers, forcing them to rely solely on the legacy internal combustion segment.

Key Market Trends

The Development of Specialized High-Torque Clutches for Hybrid Powertrains is fundamentally altering the technical requirements of the friction component sector, serving as a critical bridge between internal combustion dominance and full electrification. Unlike battery electric vehicles, hybrid architectures retain the need for power transmission disconnect systems but demand significantly reinforced damping capabilities to manage the frequent start-stop cycles and instantaneous torque delivery associated with electric motor integration. This reliance on combustion-mated technology ensures sustained industrial throughput for clutch manufacturers even as pure internal combustion engines decline. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, November 2025, in the press release 'New car registrations: +1.4% in October 2025 year-to-date', hybrid-electric vehicles solidified their market presence by capturing a 34.6% share of the European market, confirming the expanding operational footprint for these specialized transmission components.

Simultaneously, the Widespread Adoption of Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) Architectures is driving a structural increase in the volume of friction discs required per vehicle assembly. By utilizing two independent clutch actuation systems to manage odd and even gear sets, DCT configurations effectively double the friction material content compared to traditional manual or automated manual gearboxes, offering superior shift speed and fuel efficiency. This architectural shift allows suppliers to increase their content-per-vehicle value, offsetting potential volume losses in other segments. This trend is evidenced by the financial resilience of major component suppliers; according to Valeo, November 2025, in the report 'Valeo Q3 sales remains stable at €5 billion', the company’s Power division, which encompasses transmission systems, achieved sales growth that outperformed global automotive production, driven by the continued ramp-up of electrified and advanced transmission technologies.

Segmental Insights

The Aftermarket segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Automotive Passenger Car Clutch Plate Market. This robust expansion is primarily driven by the increasing average age of the global vehicle fleet, which necessitates more frequent maintenance and replacement of friction components due to extended operational lifecycles. Additionally, vehicle owners are actively seeking cost-effective repair solutions, favoring aftermarket components that offer competitive pricing relative to Original Equipment Manufacturer parts, particularly for out-of-warranty vehicles. The widespread availability of high-quality alternatives that meet rigorous performance standards further accelerates this segment's upward trajectory.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominates the Global Automotive Passenger Car Clutch Plate Market, primarily driven by its status as the world's largest automotive manufacturing hub. High production volumes in key economies such as China and India directly translate to substantial demand for original equipment components. Furthermore, the sustained prevalence of manual transmission vehicles across emerging markets in this region ensures a continuous requirement for clutch plates in both the OEM and aftermarket segments. Rising disposable incomes and rapid urbanization further accelerate passenger vehicle ownership, solidifying the region's leading market position.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, Valeo received the International Automotive Innovation Grand Prix in the aftermarket category at EQUIP AUTO Paris for its remanufactured dual wet clutch, the DQ250. This product, designed for a six-speed automatic transmission widely used in Europe, represents a significant advancement in the circular economy for transmission parts. The remanufacturing process involves a rigorous industrial approach where components are dismantled, analyzed, and tested to ensure performance equivalent to new parts. This innovation provides a sustainable and cost-effective repair option while extending the lifespan of complex transmission systems in passenger vehicles.
• In June 2025, Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions introduced the LuK RepSet 2CT DMF, an innovative repair solution for the independent aftermarket. This product uniquely integrates a double clutch and a dual-mass flywheel into a single kit, specifically designed for vehicles equipped with dry and wet double clutch systems. The all-in-one solution simplifies the repair process for workshops by ensuring that perfectly matched components are replaced simultaneously, which prevents potential mismatched wear and performance issues. This launch underscores the company's commitment to providing efficient, original-equipment quality maintenance solutions that enhance vehicle reliability and streamline garage workflows.
• In November 2024, Aisin Corporation revealed a strategic restructuring of its global aftermarket business during the AAPEX trade show. The company announced the formation of a new entity, Aisin Aftermarket & Service of America, Inc., created through the merger of its transmission remanufacturing division and its aftermarket sales unit. Scheduled to become operational by April 2025, this consolidation aims to streamline operations and expand product offerings, including drivetrain components. This initiative signifies a major shift towards becoming a comprehensive parts and service provider, thereby enhancing the company's ability to meet diverse customer needs in the global automotive aftermarket.
• In July 2024, BorgWarner announced the commencement of production for its wet clutch and hydraulic control module, designed for the two-speed hybrid transmission of the new Buick GL8 PHEV van. This development marked the first large and medium-sized plug-in hybrid transmission produced by General Motors in China. The efficiency-enhancing wet clutch features a compact axial and radial design, utilizing advanced friction technology to ensure high reliability and low drag torque. This launch highlights the company's capability to deliver innovative drivetrain solutions tailored to the evolving demands of the new energy vehicle market, setting a new benchmark for plug-in hybrids.

Key Market Players

• ZF Friedrichshafen AG
• BorgWarner Inc
• Valeo S.A
• Eaton Corporation Plc
• FCC Co. Ltd
• Clutch Auto Ltd.
• Schaeffler AG
• EXEDY Corporation
• NSK Ltd
• Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd

By Type	By Demand Category	By Region
Less than 9 inches 9.1 to 10 inches 10.1 to 11 inches More than 11 inches	OEM Aftermarket	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Automotive Passenger Car Clutch Plate Market, By Type:

• Less than 9 inches
• 9.1 to 10 inches
• 10.1 to 11 inches
• More than 11 inches

• Automotive Passenger Car Clutch Plate Market, By Demand Category:

• OEM
• Aftermarket

• Automotive Passenger Car Clutch Plate 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