Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Application Type (Engine, Transmission, Wheel, Steering, Others), By Bearing Type (Ball, Roller, Plain), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.45 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.91%
Fastest Growing Segment	Roller
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 13.34 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market will grow from USD 9.45 Billion in 2025 to USD 13.34 Billion by 2031 at a 5.91% CAGR. Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (MHCV) bearings are specialized mechanical components engineered to reduce friction and support high axial and radial loads within the engines, transmissions, wheel hubs, and steering systems of large transport units. The market is primarily propelled by the escalating global demand for freight logistics, increased government spending on infrastructure development, and strict emission regulations that necessitate the modernization of aging commercial fleets. These fundamental drivers ensure a consistent requirement for high-performance bearings capable of enduring heavy-duty operational cycles.

However, the sector faces a significant challenge regarding the volatility of raw material prices, particularly steel, which can disrupt supply chains and inflate manufacturing costs. Illustrating the addressable market volume, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, in the first nine months of 2024, new EU truck registrations totaled 249,708 units. This figure highlights the substantial, continuous production activity that underpins the demand for commercial vehicle bearings despite broader economic fluctuations.

Key Market Drivers

Rapid Growth of E-commerce and Freight Logistics Networks significantly stimulates the Global Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market by necessitating high-uptime fleet operations. As logistics providers expand to meet the demands of online retail, the intensified utilization of heavy-duty trucks accelerates the wear cycle of drivetrain and wheel hub bearings, driving replacement demand. This upward trajectory in freight activity is quantified by industry projections; according to the American Trucking Associations, in January 2025, in the 'Freight Transportation Forecast 2024 to 2035', truck freight volumes were forecast to grow by 1.6% in 2025, reinforcing the critical need for durable bearing components to support increasing tonnage.

Increasing Global Production of Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles serves as the second major catalyst, particularly within emerging markets investing in industrial transport. This surge in OEM manufacturing directly boosts the intake of original equipment bearings for new truck and bus assemblies. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, in October 2025, in the 'Auto Industry Sales Performance of September 2025 and Q2' release, commercial vehicle sales in India reached 240,000 units in the second quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, reflecting an 8.3% growth. Furthermore, the market is witnessing a technological shift; according to Daimler Truck, in November 2025, sales of battery-electric vehicles increased to 1,833 units in the third quarter, highlighting a growing sub-segment requiring specialized low-friction bearings.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material prices, particularly steel, poses a substantial challenge to the expansion of the Global Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market. Since high-grade steel is the fundamental constituent of bearing rings and rolling elements, unpredictable fluctuations in its cost directly destabilize manufacturing budgets. Manufacturers are frequently forced to either absorb these inflated costs, which erodes profit margins, or increase prices for Original Equipment Manufacturers, which can lead to reduced order volumes. This cost uncertainty complicates long-term contract negotiations and discourages investment in production capacity, thereby stifling the sector’s ability to meet potential demand.

Reflecting the broader impact of these cost pressures on the industrial supply chain, consumption metrics indicate a measurable slowdown. According to the World Steel Association, in 2024, global steel demand contracted by 0.9% to 1,751 million tonnes, driven primarily by high manufacturing costs and tightening economic conditions. This decline in material demand illustrates the restrictive environment created by input cost volatility, which directly hampers the operational growth and financial stability of commercial vehicle bearing producers.

Key Market Trends

The Adoption of Ceramic Hybrid Bearings in Electric Commercial Vehicle Powertrains is expanding rapidly as manufacturers address the specific technical challenges of high-voltage electric drive systems. Electric truck motors generate stray electrical currents that often arc across steel bearing races, causing erosion, pitting, and premature component failure. Consequently, the sector is shifting toward electrically insulated and ceramic hybrid solutions that naturally resist these currents while supporting the higher rotational speeds required by electric axles. This transition toward specialized e-mobility hardware is quantified by significant industry order volumes; according to Schaeffler, March 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', order intake at the E-Mobility business division amounted to 4.7 billion euros in 2024, reflecting the critical scale of demand for these next-generation powertrain components.

Simultaneously, the Integration of IoT-Enabled Smart Bearings for Real-Time Condition Monitoring is reshaping fleet maintenance strategies by prioritizing predictive analytics over fixed-schedule replacements. Fleet operators are increasingly demanding bearings equipped with embedded sensors that transmit data on vibration, temperature, and load to prevent catastrophic hub or transmission failures during long-haul operations. This demand for digital reliability and maximized uptime is driving substantial research expenditure among major suppliers. According to SKF, March 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the company invested SEK 3.33 billion in R&D in 2024, utilizing these funds to specifically advance smart bearing technologies and AI-driven monitoring systems for high-growth industrial applications.

Segmental Insights

The Roller segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the Global Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market, driven by its critical ability to support the high radial and axial loads inherent to heavy-duty transport. Unlike ball bearings, roller designs offer the enhanced durability required to withstand the severe mechanical stress and shock loads common in logistics and construction applications. Furthermore, as regulatory bodies enforce stricter emission standards, manufacturers are prioritizing low-friction roller bearings to improve fuel efficiency and minimize energy loss, thereby accelerating their adoption across modern heavy commercial fleets.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominates the global medium and heavy commercial vehicle bearing market due to high production volumes in key manufacturing hubs such as China and India. Rapid industrialization and extensive infrastructure development across the region drive the demand for heavy-duty logistics and construction vehicles. Additionally, stricter emission regulations enforce fleet modernization, necessitating the supply of compliant components. The availability of raw materials and established automotive supply chains further supports regional production capabilities. Consequently, the sustained expansion of freight transport networks positions Asia Pacific as the primary contributor to global market growth.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, SKF Automotive launched a new Hub Bearing Unit (HBU) specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of electric commercial vehicles, such as pickup trucks and vans. The new bearing unit features a hybrid design that combines ball and tapered roller elements to provide increased strength while achieving a 10% weight reduction compared to traditional wheel bearings. Furthermore, the low-friction capabilities of the HBU deliver a 30% reduction in friction, which directly translates to improved energy efficiency and longer battery range for electrified commercial fleets. The company secured a significant contract to supply these bearings for a major North American vehicle program.
• In September 2024, the Schaeffler Group showcased its latest innovations for the heavy-duty transport sector at the IAA Transportation trade fair in Hanover, Germany. The company presented an integrated electric drive axle for heavy-duty commercial vehicles which features a novel "Insert-unit" bearing design. This advanced bearing unit is installed directly into the cast iron wheel hub and reduces the weight of each wheel assembly by up to 15 kilograms compared to standard tapered roller bearings. Additionally, the design incorporates low-friction seals that can reduce friction by up to 70%, contributing to extended range for electric trucks.
• In May 2024, NTN Corporation announced the development of a special heat treatment technology called "HA-C" (High Anti-wear and Capacity) for use in next-generation bearings. This breakthrough research enables the creation of bearings that are significantly more compact and lightweight while maintaining high load capacity and durability. The technology allows for a 15% reduction in bearing outer diameter and a 55% weight reduction, which is critical for the evolving requirements of e-Axles and drive units in electric and hybrid commercial vehicles. The innovation supports the industry's push towards downsizing and energy efficiency in electrified powertrains.
• In April 2024, NSK Ltd. unveiled its 7th generation of low-friction tapered roller bearings, marking a significant advancement in bearing technology for the global mobility sector. The company optimized the internal design and number of rollers to reduce friction by approximately 20% across all rotation speeds compared to conventional products. These bearings are specifically engineered for high-load and low-speed conditions, making them highly suitable for applications such as the tire side of transmissions and eAxles in electric and hybrid vehicles. This development addresses the growing industry demand for improved fuel economy and extended electric vehicle driving ranges.

Key Market Players

• SKF Group
• Schaeffler Group
• Timken Company
• NSK Ltd.
• NTN Corporation
• JTEKT Corporation
• Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.
• Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
• RBC Bearings Inc.
• Iljin Co., Ltd.

By Application Type	By Bearing Type	By Region
Engine Transmission Wheel Steering Others	Ball Roller Plain	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market, By Application Type:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Wheel
• Steering
• Others

• Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing Market, By Bearing Type:

• Ball
• Roller
• Plain

• Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Bearing 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