Automotive Metal Market

Market Overview

The global automotive metal market size was valued at USD 106.16 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 151.10 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period 2023-2031.

Automotive metals are metals in manufacturing automotive bodies or vehicle parts, such as steel, aluminum, and others. Chassis, body, and drivetrain components include bumpers, engine oil systems, doors, body panels, exhaust systems, suspensions & steering systems, fuel supply systems, wheels, transmission systems, and tire parts are some automotive parts where metals are used in manufacturing. Automotive metal components are made through cutting, bending, and drawing. Various types of presses and dies are also used in manufacturing automotive components.

Globally, increasing demand for vehicles, owing to population growth, improving the standard of living, and increasing disposable income is expected to accelerate vehicle production. Additionally, technological advancements and their rapid adoption in the automotive industry are expected to further fuel the growth of the automotive metal market during the forecast period.

Regulatory policies and support for fuel-efficient and lightweight vehicles are anticipated to positively influence the use of aluminum, magnesium, high-strength steel, and advanced high-strength steel in the automotive industry. Aluminum is primarily used in manufacturing different vehicle parts due to its lightweight and high strength.

The growing cost of automotive metal and increasing use of high-performance plastics such as polyamide, polypropylene, polyurethane (PUR), poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, POM (polyoxymethylene) and others can be considered as the key restraints hampering the market growth.

Market Dynamics

Global Automotive Metal Market Drivers

Rising Disposable income

The demand for the raw materials used in the automotive industry is primarily driven by an increase in the demand for passenger vehicles, which is supported by rising disposable income in developing economies. The demand for automotive metal is driven by rising vehicle production due to rising vehicle demand. During the forecast period, the effective use of metals in auto components like chassis, engines, roofs, panels, wheels, brakes, and radiators will grow the market share for automotive metals.

Increased use of lightweight materials

The market has grown due to the increased use of lightweight materials like aluminum. Aluminum is perfect for the manufacturing sectors of the automotive and aerospace industries due to its low density and resistance to corrosion. Automobile manufacturers have switched to using lightweight metals to build cars due to their manufacturing processes causing financial and environmental problems. The car's weight is decreased without the car's size increasing by replacing steel components with aluminum alloy components. The International Aluminum Institute claims that throughout a vehicle's lifetime, replacing 2 lbs. of steel with aluminum prevents the emission of 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide. Another study found that the observed fuel consumption decreases by 6% to 8% for every 10% decrease in the vehicle's weight.

Global Automotive Metal Market Restraints

High Prices and stringent government regulations

Expensive goods and strict government regulations on low carbon emissions, body weight reduction, and fuel efficiency will hamper the industry's growth. Additionally, metals in vehicles can be replaced with high-grade carbon and plastic materials. Currently, 15% of a vehicle's weight is plastic. During the forecast period, industry growth will be constrained by the rising use of carbon fiber and plastic in automotive components. Expensive goods and strict government regulations on low carbon emissions, body weight reduction, and fuel efficiency will hamper the industry's growth.

Additionally, metals in vehicles can be replaced with high-grade carbon and plastic materials. Currently, 15% of a vehicle's weight is plastic. During the forecast period, industry growth will be constrained by the rising use of carbon fiber and plastic in automotive components. As more nations recognize the effects of climate change, they develop various regulations to control fuel economy. 

Global Automotive Metal Market Opportunity

Introduction of Electric Vehicles

To meet the rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, many automotive companies started producing and selling these vehicles to comply with various governmental regulations regarding climate change. Because lightweight metals are needed for electric and hybrid vehicles, there is a rising demand for automotive stamped metal, boosting the market's expansion. According to CEP Technologies Corp., a global stamping manufacturer in Yonkers, New York, the electrification of vehicles is causing a tremendous increase in business. The company claimed that the niche product markets experiencing growth are those related to the increasing demand for electrical conductivity in terminals, battery contacts, and P.C. boards. This will make custom precision metal stamping even more necessary. In 2021, 45.5% of hybrid and electric passenger vehicles were registered in the U.K., up from 28.4% in 2020, according to the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) U.K.

In 2021, General Motors announced its plan to invest USD 35 billion to develop and sell more than one million E.V.s and other technology by 2025. Similarly, Ford has announced that it will boost its annual E.V. production capacity to 600,000 by 2023. Therefore, the increase in electric vehicles will surge the need for automotive metal, resulting in market growth.

Regional Analysis

Depending on the region, the market is analyzed in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and LAMEA. North America dominates the market.

North America is expected to witness considerable growth in the automotive metal market during the assessment period, with countries taking initiatives to increase the production of fuel-efficient vehicles to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the region is home to most automotive manufacturers, such as Ford Motor Company, Fiat, Toyota, and Volkswagen Group.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold a prominent share in the global automotive metal market, owing to the increasing demand for passenger and commercial vehicles, primarily from emerging markets such as China, India, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, and others. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, total car and commercial vehicle production amounted to 1,117,389 units in 2016 and increased to 1,343,714 units in 2018.

The Middle East & Africa region is expected to witness sluggish growth in the global automotive metal market, owing to unfavorable government policies and under-developed economies. For instance, the GCC countries such as Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia suffer from low oil prices and high fiscal spending.               

Latin America is expected to witness considerable global automotive metal market growth during the forecast period, 2019–2027, backed by growth in the region's emerging countries, such as Brazil, Ecuador, and Chile. According to information provided by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, the total production of cars and commercial vehicles in Brazil amounted to 2,699,672 units in 2016, which later increased to 2,879,809 units in 2018; these figures are indicative of the region's growth potential in the automotive market.

Segmental Analysis

The automotive metal market has been segmented based on product type, application, and end-use.

The global market has been segmented by product type into aluminum, steel, magnesium, and others. Aluminum will hold a significant share of the global automotive metal market during the forecast period.

The use of aluminum in the automotive industry, owing to benefits such as its environment-friendly and safe nature, has been increasing over the years. Furthermore, the high strength and lightweight aluminum make it an ideal choice for the automotive industry.

The market has been segmented into the body structure, power trains, suspensions, and others.

The body structure is expected to gain traction in the global automotive market, owing to the large amount of steel required to make vehicles' body structures compared to other parts. According to the World Steel Association, 34% of steel is used to produce vehicle body structures. Furthermore, advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) are increasingly being used to manufacture lightweight and optimized vehicles to enhance performance, safety, and fuel efficiency.

In terms of end-user, the market has been segmented into passenger and commercial vehicles.

Commercial vehicles are expected to witness tremendous growth in the global market, owing to the growing logistics & transportation business and easy availability of finance for vehicles from private and government institutions. For instance, various commercial and non-commercial vehicles are supported under the FAME scheme (The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles), which actively promotes eco-friendly vehicles and primarily focuses on commercial electric vehicles. The FAME scheme is regulated under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

Recent Developments

• In November 2022, ArcelorMittal contributed $25 million to the ground-breaking nuclear energy startup TerraPower.
• In October 2022, the First ground-breaking low-carbon emissions steelmaking project by ArcelorMittal.
• In October 2022, More money is invested in Form Energy by ArcelorMittal through the XCarb® Innovation fund.
• In September 2022, Thermoplastic rear swing doors from Magna, a first in the market.
• In June 2022, Magna Uses Ground-Breaking Lighting to Illuminate the Future of Styling.