Automotive Towbar Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Vehicle Type (Two-Wheeler, Passenger Car, Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV), Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV)), By Type (Fixed System, Detachable System, Electric System), By Sales Channel (OEM, OES, IAM) and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.39 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.54%
Fastest Growing Segment	Detachable System
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.73 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Towbar Market will grow from USD 4.39 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.73 Billion by 2031 at a 4.54% CAGR. The automotive towbar market comprises the manufacturing and distribution of mechanical devices mounted to a vehicle chassis to enable the towing of trailers or the attachment of carriers. Market expansion is fundamentally supported by the rising popularity of recreational vehicle tourism and the increasing commercial utility of light-duty trucks necessitating robust hauling capabilities. These structural drivers ensure consistent demand distinct from transient consumer trends. According to the RV Industry Association, in 2024, wholesale shipments of towable RVs reached 298,842 units, underscoring the substantial requirement for towing hardware in the recreational sector.

However, the integration of towbars into electric vehicles presents a significant challenge that could impede market expansion. The additional weight and aerodynamic drag associated with towing drastically reduce battery range, prompting many manufacturers to restrict or omit towing capacities on zero-emission models. This technical limitation creates a conflict between the global transition to green mobility and the sustained consumer need for hauling utility, potentially limiting future growth within the electrifying automotive landscape.

Key Market Drivers

The rising global sales of SUVs and pickup trucks significantly propel the automotive towbar market, as these vehicles serve as the primary platforms for towing applications due to their superior torque and structural rigidity. This shift from niche utility to mass-market dominance directly correlates with an increase in original equipment manufacturer towbar installations and aftermarket retrofits designed to maximize vehicle versatility. According to the International Energy Agency, April 2024, in the 'Global EV Outlook 2024', SUVs accounted for over 48% of global car sales in 2023, establishing a massive install base for towing equipment. This structural shift in consumer vehicle preference ensures that a substantial portion of the new vehicle fleet is pre-disposed for hauling capabilities, driving consistent hardware volume even amidst broader economic fluctuations.

Concurrently, the surge in recreational vehicle and caravan ownership fuels demand for high-capacity towing solutions, driven by a growing preference for domestic adventure tourism and self-sufficient travel. This trend necessitates advanced towing apparatuses capable of handling heavy loads, thereby boosting the value share of the market through the sale of premium retractable and detachable units. According to the Caravaning Industrie Verband, January 2024, in the 'Annual Press Conference 2024' statement, new registrations of leisure vehicles in Germany alone reached 90,365 units in 2023, reflecting the sustained resilience of the European camping sector. Furthermore, the market is reinforced by commercial logistics requirements; according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, May 2024, in the 'New commercial vehicle registrations' report, new van sales in the EU increased by 12.6% in the first quarter of 2024, indicating a parallel expansion in the commercial haulage segment that relies heavily on utility towbars.

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Key Market Challenges

The integration of towbars into electric vehicles constitutes a technical barrier that directly impedes the expansion of the towing hardware sector. As automotive manufacturers prioritize energy efficiency to maximize battery range, the additional weight and aerodynamic drag associated with towing become significant liabilities. Consequently, numerous electric models are released with restricted towing capacities or lack the necessary homologation for towbar installation. This technical misalignment reduces the total addressable market for towbar manufacturers, as a growing segment of the global vehicle fleet becomes incompatible with standard hauling equipment.

The impact of this incompatibility is amplified by the rapid adoption of zero-emission platforms. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, in 2023, new battery electric car registrations in the EU reached 1.5 million units, marking a substantial increase in market share. As consumer purchasing shifts toward these vehicles, the pool of automobiles capable of supporting heavy-duty towing shrinks. This trend threatens to decouple the towbar market from the broader automotive growth trajectory, restricting sales opportunities despite the underlying demand for transport utility.

Key Market Trends

The rise of automated and vision-based hitching technologies represents a transformative trend in the market, moving beyond mechanical coupling to fully integrated advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Manufacturers are increasingly embedding high-definition cameras and autonomous steering algorithms into towbar interfaces to mitigate the complexity and safety risks associated with manual trailer connection. This technological evolution allows vehicles to automatically align the hitch ball with the trailer coupler, significantly reducing driver error and hitching time. The proliferation of these systems is evidenced by the expanding capabilities of hands-free driving networks that now accommodate towing maneuvers. According to General Motors, February 2024, in the 'Super Cruise Expanding to Cover 750,000 Miles' press release, the company announced that its hands-free driver assistance network, which includes dedicated towing protocols, would expand to approximately 750,000 miles of compatible roads across North America by 2025.

Simultaneously, there is a decisive shift toward aesthetically discrete detachable and retractable towbar designs, driven by the growing consumer preference for maintaining vehicle design integrity when not hauling. This trend is particularly pronounced in the SUV and electric vehicle segments, where aerodynamic efficiency and visual clean lines are paramount, prompting OEMs to replace fixed hitches with swivel or vertically detachable units that remain invisible when idle. This demand for premium, integrated hardware has solidified the market position of specialized suppliers who focus on these mechanism-heavy designs. According to ACPS Automotive, January 2025, in the company's corporate profile, the manufacturer reported annual sales of approximately €440 million for the 2024 fiscal year, underscoring the substantial commercial scale and adoption of these advanced, unobtrusive towing solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Detachable System segment is currently identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Automotive Towbar Market. This expansion is primarily driven by consumer preference for maintaining vehicle aesthetics, as the mechanism allows for the complete removal of the tow ball when not in use, preserving the original design lines of the car. Furthermore, this adoption is accelerated by strict safety regulations in key regions, such as the European Union, which prohibit fixed towing devices if they obscure the vehicle registration plate or rear visibility components. Consequently, owners increasingly select detachable variants to ensure legal compliance without compromising the visual integrity of the vehicle.

Regional Insights

Europe maintains a dominant position in the global automotive towbar market, driven by the region's strong inclination toward caravan tourism and recreational activities. This consistent demand is reinforced by the widespread use of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles for towing purposes. Additionally, the market benefits from established safety frameworks, such as those set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, which mandate rigorous standards for mechanical coupling devices. These regulations ensure consumer confidence and drive the adoption of compliant towing solutions, securing Europe’s status as the primary regional market.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Tow Trust Towbars launched the United Kingdom's first fully type-approved, domestically designed and manufactured motorhome chassis for the aftermarket. This major product development by the towbar manufacturer was engineered to eliminate the need for extensive chassis modifications during installation, thereby maximizing structural strength and ease of fitment for installers. The new chassis system complements the company's existing range of heavy-duty towing bars and accessories, targeting the expanding motorhome and leisure vehicle sector with a high-performance, compliant structural solution.
• In September 2024, Lippert Components unveiled several new towing and suspension innovations at its Dealer Open House, including the CURT Touring Coil Suspension and the Helux Coil pin box. These products were developed to improve the towing experience for recreational vehicles by enhancing ride quality and connection stability. The launch highlighted the company’s focus on advanced engineering and product development within the towing aftermarket, aiming to provide safer and more comfortable solutions for towing heavy trailers and fifth-wheel campers.
• In April 2024, ACPS Automotive strengthened its global manufacturing and development footprint by establishing a new subsidiary, Oris Automotive Systems (Kunshan) Ltd., in China. This strategic expansion was designed to enhance the company's proximity to key automotive customers in the Asian market and prepare for the commencement of local production scheduled for 2025. The new entity allows the towbar manufacturer to better collaborate with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the region and accelerate the delivery of its hitch systems to the rapidly growing Chinese automotive sector.
• In March 2024, MVG (Metallverarbeitungsgesellschaft mbH) introduced new towbar retrofitting solutions specifically designed for electric and hybrid vehicles, including the Mercedes Citan and Nissan Townstar. The German manufacturer expanded its product portfolio to address the growing demand for towing capabilities in the electrified vehicle segment. The new detachable towbar systems are engineered to integrate seamlessly with the specific chassis requirements of these electric models, ensuring safety and compliance with manufacturer specifications while maintaining the vehicle's aesthetic when the towball is removed.

Key Market Players

• Curt Manufacturing LLC
• David Murphy Towing
• Trimas Corporation
• Acps Automotive GmbH
• Horizon global corporation
• Brink Group B.V.
• Hayman Reese
• Mccabe Towbars
• North Shore Towbars
• PCT Automotive Limited

By Vehicle Type	By Type	By Sales Channel	By Region
Two-Wheeler Passenger Car Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV)	Fixed System Detachable System Electric System	OEM OES IAM	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Automotive Towbar Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Two-Wheeler
• Passenger Car
• Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV)
• Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV)

• Automotive Towbar Market, By Type:

• Fixed System
• Detachable System
• Electric System

• Automotive Towbar Market, By Sales Channel:

• OEM
• OES
• IAM

• Automotive Towbar 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