Commercial Vehicles Automotive Airbag Market- Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Curtain Airbags, Knee Airbags, Front Airbags, and Inflatable Seat Belt), By Sales Channel (OEM and Replacement/Aftermarket), By Regional, By Competition. 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 5.95 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.62%
Fastest Growing Segment	Front Airbag
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 8.26 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Commercial Vehicles Automotive Airbag Market will grow from USD 5.95 Billion in 2025 to USD 8.26 Billion by 2031 at a 5.62% CAGR. Commercial vehicle automotive airbags are specialized occupant restraint systems engineered to deploy instantly during collisions to shield drivers and passengers in vans, trucks, and buses. The market is primarily propelled by increasingly rigorous safety legislations globally and a heightened emphasis on fleet operator liability management. These regulatory frameworks compel manufacturers to install compliant safety apparatus in new mass transit and logistics vehicles to meet evolving crash test standards. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, in the first three quarters of 2025, new bus registrations in the European Union increased by 3.6 percent to reach nearly 29,000 units. This growth in vehicle manufacturing provides a substantial impetus for the concurrent expansion of the airbag supply chain.

A notable impediment to broader expansion is the substantial cost associated with integrating complex safety systems into heavy-duty platforms. The technical variance in truck cabin configurations often prevents economies of scale compared to passenger cars which results in higher unit costs. Consequently, cost-conscious fleet owners may resist the adoption of non-mandatory advanced airbag configurations and thereby restrict market penetration in the price-sensitive commercial vehicle segment.

Key Market Drivers

The implementation of stringent government safety mandates and the adoption of stricter NCAP safety ratings for commercial vehicles are primary catalysts for market expansion. Regulatory bodies and independent organizations are increasingly scrutinizing heavy-duty vehicle safety, compelling manufacturers to integrate advanced restraint systems beyond standard requirements. This regulatory shift encourages the adoption of technologies like curtain and steering wheel airbags to improve crashworthiness in trucks and transporters. According to Commercial Motor, November 2024, in the 'Euro NCAP reveals first ever Truck Safe star ratings for HGVs' article, the Volvo FM and FH Aero models were awarded the maximum five-star rating, setting a new benchmark for safety equipment inclusion. This competitive pressure forces other OEMs to upgrade their safety suites, thereby driving wider market penetration of sophisticated airbag configurations.

Concurrently, the growing production and sales of light and heavy commercial vehicles, fueled by global logistics expansion, directly increase the volume of airbag installations. As operators upgrade fleets to meet rising e-commerce and freight demands, the procurement of new, safety-compliant vehicles has accelerated, particularly in the light commercial segment. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), October 2024, in the 'New commercial vehicle registrations: vans +8.5%, trucks -7.5%, buses +16% in the first three quarters of 2024' report, new van registrations in the European Union increased by 8.5 percent to reach 1,170,310 units. This surge in vehicle manufacturing creates a substantial channel for airbag deployment. Furthermore, robust demand in developing regions reinforces this trend; according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, in 2024, commercial vehicle retail sales in India reached 97,411 units in October, representing a 6.37 percent increase.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial cost required to integrate complex safety systems into heavy-duty platforms constitutes a significant barrier to the expansion of the commercial vehicle airbag market. Unlike passenger vehicles, which benefit from standardized designs and high-volume production, commercial trucks feature diverse cabin configurations that prevent manufacturers from achieving essential economies of scale. This lack of standardization results in elevated unit costs for advanced restraint systems. Fleet operators, who typically manage tight profit margins, view these non-mandatory safety features as discretionary expenses. Consequently, price sensitivity leads to widespread resistance against adopting optional airbag configurations, limiting market penetration to only what is strictly enforced by regulation.

This financial hesitation among fleet owners directly restricts the total addressable market for airbag suppliers, particularly during periods of economic caution. Evidence of this sector's vulnerability to cost pressures is reflected in recent procurement data. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, in 2024, new EU truck registrations declined by 6.3% to total 327,896 units. This contraction in vehicle acquisition indicates that fleet operators are deferring capital investments, thereby reducing the volume of new platforms available for advanced safety system integration and stifling overall market growth.

Key Market Trends

The Standardization of Side Curtain Airbags for Rollover Mitigation is emerging as a critical trend, driven by the inherent instability of heavy-duty vehicle platforms during evasive maneuvers. Unlike passenger cars, commercial trucks possess a higher center of gravity, making them significantly more susceptible to overturning incidents that result in severe occupant ejection or crushing injuries. Manufacturers are responding by engineering curtain systems with extended inflation retention capabilities to provide prolonged protection during the multiple impact phases of a rollover event. This strategic shift is reinforced by worsening accident data; according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), November 2024, in the 'Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2021' report, the number of large trucks involved in injury crashes increased by 11 percent. This statistical rise in casualty events is compelling OEMs to transition side curtain airbags from optional upgrades to standard safety equipment to mitigate operator liability and meet stricter crashworthiness expectations.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing the Incorporation of Pre-Crash Sensing for Anticipatory Activation, representing a leap from reactive to predictive safety methodologies. This trend involves the synthesis of radar and camera data to trigger airbag deployment milliseconds before a physical impact occurs, effectively creating an external crumple zone or repositioning the occupant for optimal restraint performance. Such algorithms are particularly vital for commercial vehicles where the structural stiffness of the cab often transfers higher G-forces to the driver compared to lighter vehicles. Highlighting this technological capability, according to ZF, July 2024, in the 'New side airbag from ZF LIFETEC can increase the crumple zone in the passenger compartment' press release, their newly developed dual-stage side airbag system triggers its initial deployment phase approximately 200 milliseconds before the collision. This anticipatory action pushes the occupant away from the intrusion area, significantly reducing the potential for trauma in lateral accidents.

Segmental Insights

The Front Airbag segment represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Commercial Vehicles Automotive Airbag Market. This rapid expansion is fundamentally driven by stringent safety mandates from regulatory authorities, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which demand rigorous occupant protection standards for commercial fleets. As head-on collisions pose a significant risk to heavy and light commercial vehicles, governments are enforcing the compulsory installation of driver and passenger frontal airbags. Consequently, fleet operators are prioritizing these safety integrations to ensure full compliance and minimize liability, directly accelerating demand within this specific segment.

Regional Insights

North America dominates the Global Commercial Vehicles Automotive Airbag Market primarily due to stringent safety mandates enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The implementation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 compels manufacturers to equip light commercial vehicles, including pickup trucks and vans, with comprehensive airbag systems. This regulatory framework ensures that commercial fleets meet the same rigorous occupant protection standards as passenger cars. Consequently, the high production volume of these regulated vehicles establishes the region as the clear leader in market adoption, driven by compliance requirements rather than voluntary optionality.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Volvo Trucks North America announced that integrated side curtain airbags would be installed as standard equipment on all new Volvo VNL and VNR models built for the North American market. This strategic decision marked an industry milestone, as the manufacturer prioritized occupant safety by expanding access to this critical protection technology. The side curtain airbags are specifically engineered to deploy during rollover accidents, which statistics indicate are a leading cause of fatalities among truck drivers. By standardizing this feature, the company aimed to significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries and improve overall road safety for commercial vehicle operators.
• In April 2025, Autoliv Inc. was recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Automotive News PACE Pilot Innovation to Watch award for its Bernoulli Airbag Module. This breakthrough technology leverages fluid dynamics to inflate large airbags more efficiently by utilizing a smaller inflator to draw in surrounding air. The innovation addresses key challenges in mobility safety, including applications for commercial vehicles where space and weight are critical factors. The recognition underscored the company's leadership in developing safety solutions that enhance occupant protection while optimizing system design and manufacturing costs.
• In November 2024, ZF Lifetec presented its latest advancements in passive safety technology at the AIRBAG 2024 symposium in Mannheim, Germany. The company showcased innovative restraint systems, including the Dual Contour Airbag, which adapts to different occupant sizes and seating positions. These developments are particularly relevant for the commercial vehicle sector, where driver safety and comfort are paramount. The presentation highlighted the company's commitment to evolving safety standards and its focus on creating robust protection solutions that meet the diverse needs of the international automotive and transport markets.
• In November 2024, Joyson Safety Systems announced a strategic partnership with Brose and Brose Sitech to co-develop advanced vehicle seating solutions. This collaboration focuses on integrating safety components, such as airbags and sensors, directly into the seat structure to enhance occupant protection in future mobility concepts. The joint initiative aims to address the changing safety requirements of modern transportation, including commercial vehicles, by combining expertise in seating ergonomics and passive safety systems. The project highlights the industry's shift towards more modular and integrated safety designs for improved driver well-being.

Key Market Players

• Autoliv, Inc.
• ZF Friedrichshafen AG
• Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
• Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Continental AG
• Takata Corporation
• Denso Corporation
• Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
• Joyson Safety Systems
• Robert Bosch GmbH

By Type	By Sales Channel	By Region
Curtain Airbags Knee Airbags Front Airbags and Inflatable Seat Belt	OEM and Replacement/Aftermarket	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Commercial Vehicles Automotive Airbag Market, By Type:

• Curtain Airbags
• Knee Airbags
• Front Airbags
• and Inflatable Seat Belt

• Commercial Vehicles Automotive Airbag Market, By Sales Channel:

• OEM and Replacement/Aftermarket

• Commercial Vehicles Automotive Airbag 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