Automotive Glow Plugs Market

Market Overview

The global automotive glow plugs market size was valued at USD 4.16 billion in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 5.82 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period (2022–2030)

A glow plug is a tiny heating element to start the diesel engine in cars. In order to ignite the car engine, a glow plug warms the mixture of air and fuel. A heating system element is installed into each diesel engine cylinder block to warm the fuel and air mixture as it arrives to ensure efficient combustion when the engine is cold. A glow plug includes various parts, including an insulation powder, a center electrode, a terminal nut, a regulating coil, and a heating coil. Glow plugs come in multiple sizes and shapes and cannot be used interchangeably.

Market Dynamics

Global Automotive Glow Plugs Market Drivers

• High Commercial Vehicle Demand

Commercial vehicles are in high demand globally, and fleet expansion and renewal initiatives are gaining traction due to increased capacity utilization and profitability. The growth of the e-commerce sector and the global, robust demand for freight are driving operators to buy new commercial vehicles. The general macroeconomic environment has been favorable, and vital operator utilization and profitability have accelerated fleet renewals and expansions. Due to consumers' growing preference for multi-purpose utility and superior comforts, the demand for pickup trucks has also increased over the past few years, particularly in North America and Europe.

Additionally, the governing bodies are being prodded to act to reduce emissions from commercial vehicles by growing environmental concerns. The demand for glow plugs, which aid in effective fuel combustion and increase vehicle fuel efficiency, is likely to increase. Therefore, it is anticipated that the market's commercial vehicle segment will grow faster during the forecast period than other segments.

• Rising Sales of New or Used Vehicles

The number of vehicles in use globally has been increasing significantly as a result of rising new and used vehicle sales and an increase in the average age of vehicles. The demand for aftermarket glow plugs is driven by the rising number of vehicles in use and operation and the increasing demand for aftermarket automotive parts and components. As dealers replace necessary parts that improve the vehicle, especially the engine's performance, before selling the vehicles, the used vehicle market significantly contributes to the aftermarket demand for parts and components, which is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

Global Automotive Glow Plugs Market Restraints

• Supply Chain Interruption

Increased trade barriers and rising geopolitical tensions slowed the growth. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which forced the temporary closure of manufacturing facilities for vehicles, parts, and components, this slowdown persisted throughout 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a more immediate and severe impact on the aftermarket. The primary objectives of large aftermarket companies have changed from production recovery plans to employee safety, cost reduction, and liquidity preservation. The automotive aftermarket was constantly evolving before the pandemic. Consumer usage and maintenance behaviors for cars are changing as car owners rapidly increase. Leading aftermarket firms believe that the aftermarket industry will bounce back more quickly than new car sales, which are expected to suffer from the economy.

Global Automotive Glow Plugs Market Opportunities

• Development of DIY Parts and Growing E-commerce Platforms

The automotive aftermarket has changed and is still evolving, just like other industries. Customers for automobiles are becoming increasingly accustomed to shopping on their smartphones. They consequently anticipate the same degree of simplicity and adaptability when purchasing parts. Today's consumer wants the ability to research products, contrast prices, and read reviews before making a purchase. As a result, manufacturers and distributors of parts are under pressure to comply with these specifications.

The sale of auto parts is increasing globally due to the growing number of consumers who favor DIY products. Given the convenience that online shopping platforms provide, locals quickly abandon traditional brick-and-mortar stores in favor of these platforms. Compared to Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, the demand for DIY parts and components is higher in the United States and Europe. The aftermarket players' development of DIY parts and e-commerce platforms will present market opportunity over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global automotive glow plugs market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the world.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global automotive glow plugs market shareholder and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.12% during the forecast period. One of the world's biggest markets for automobiles is China. Over the forecast period, it is anticipated that the market will be primarily driven by the rising production and sales of commercial vehicles. Most new passenger cars sold in China are gasoline-powered, so it is anticipated that demand for glow plugs from passenger cars will remain subdued over the forecast period. The market is highly concerned about the nation's quick electrification of its vehicles. However, demand from the aftermarket and demand from the export of vehicles is anticipated to propel market growth over the forecast period.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.11% during the forecast period. Diesel vehicles are very well-liked in the four-wheel drive, compact, minivan, and small SUV segments of both passenger and light commercial vehicles. Around 201,929 four-wheel-drive cars and 75,392 small cars with internal combustion diesel engines were sold in Spain in 2019. It is anticipated that this demand for diesel-powered vehicles in some passenger car segments will persist, which will fuel the demand for OEM glow plugs over the forecast period.

North America is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. Vehicle production and sales increase is anticipated to fuel the United States market. The introduction of new SUVs and an increase in the replacement of outdated commercial vehicles will likely increase demand for new automobiles, which will increase demand for automotive glow plugs. The need for aftermarket automotive glow plugs is also anticipated to increase during the forecast period due to the widespread use of commercial vehicles nationwide. In the meantime, sales of electric vehicles are steadily rising across the country, mainly due to supportive government policies and falling electric vehicle prices. The market for automotive glow plugs will be negatively impacted by the expansion of the electric vehicle market.

Due to Brazil's thriving mining industry, heavy commercial vehicles are in high demand. Since 1970, diesel automobiles and commercial vehicles with a payload greater than 1,000 kg have been prohibited in Brazil. As a result, most Brazilian passenger cars and light trucks run on flexible fuel, a mixture of ethanol and gasoline. Most vehicles have engines that function similarly to gasoline engines. Therefore, sales of brand-new medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles account for most of the revenue generated by the glow plugs market in Brazil. Brazil's federal government declared its intention to outlaw gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2030 in February 2020. These bans are anticipated to reduce the demand for OEM glow plugs in the nation during the anticipated period. Due to the forecasted steady need for replacement glow plugs, vendors in the market are likely to concentrate on aftermarket glow plugs.

Segmental Analysis

The global automotive glow plugs market is segmented by product type, vehicle type, and sales channel.

Based on Product Type

The global market is bifurcated into metal and ceramic glow plugs.

The metal glow plug segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.09% during the forecast period. The segment is anticipated to experience significant growth over the forecast period, primarily due to an increase in aftermarket customer demand. Ceramic glow plugs are drawing OEM customers because of their improved pre- and post-glow heating and high-temperature heating capabilities. The need for metal glow plugs is anticipated to hold steady during the forecast period, as ceramic glow plugs cannot be used to replace metal glow plugs installed in older automotive diesel engines. Standard sheathed-type glow plugs, fast heat glow plugs, quick glow system sheathed-type glow plugs, and self-regulating sheathed-type glow plugs are the four subcategories of metal glow plugs. Metal glow plugs are also available for the automotive aftermarket from several vendors.

Diesel engines employ ceramic glow plugs to warm the intake fuel to facilitate compression ignition. Due to their ability to heat up much more quickly than metal glow plugs, ceramic glow plugs are used in most diesel engines today. In the after-glow mode, ceramic glow plugs can reach a temperature of 1500^oC, which reduces the emission of white smoke and improves engine performance. Glow plugs are therefore anticipated to be essential in helping new-generation vehicles meet their strict emission requirements. The governing bodies are forced to enact strict emission standards to reduce vehicular emissions due to the acceleration of global warming and the growing contribution of greenhouse gases from vehicles. During the forecast period, it is anticipated that the implementation of such strict emission standards will promote the use of ceramic glow plugs in passenger cars and commercial vehicles powered by diesel engines.

Based on Vehicle Type

the global market is bifurcated into passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The commercial vehicles segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.39% during the forecast period. Compared to the passenger car segment, the market's commercial vehicle segment is forecast to experience greater growth. The segment is growing primarily due to rising global demand for commercial vehicles, particularly in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa, and higher penetration of diesel-powered engines in commercial vehicles compared to gasoline-powered ones. In the last five years, there has been a significant increase in commercial vehicles, which is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. Commercial vehicles are used in many different industries, including manufacturing, transportation of goods, and construction. Therefore, it is anticipated that during the forecast period, the expansion of these end-user industries will fuel demand for commercial vehicles.

Diesel-powered passenger cars are being outlawed in several nations as their governments are pressured to cut vehicle emissions to meet the Paris Agreement's emission target. For instance, the United Kingdom has declared that by 2040, all diesel vehicles will be off the road. Similarly, bans on diesel-powered passenger cars have been announced in India, Germany, Norway, France, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Such plans are hurting the global sales of diesel vehicles, which is, in turn, hurting OEM customers' revenue from the glow plug market. However, due to the regular replacement of glow plugs, it is anticipated that the demand for replacement glow plugs for passenger cars in use will remain high during the forecast period.

Based on Sales Channels

The global market is bifurcated into OEM and aftermarket.

The aftermarket segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.43% during the forecast period. Diesel-powered vehicles saw a significant increase in demand between 2001 and 2015, particularly in areas like Europe and Asia-Pacific, where gasoline was significantly more expensive than diesel. Therefore, diesel engines are used to power many park vehicles worldwide. Glow plug replacements will likely occur between 2010 and 2019 for vehicles sold because they are an essential component of most diesel-powered vehicles. Commercial vehicles cover a noticeably greater distance each year than passenger cars. Commercial vehicles will probably be the main factor boosting segment growth over the forecast period.

OEM sales are rising globally, especially in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Market-leading vendors have long-term OEM relationships. OEM glow plug suppliers include NGK, Bosch, BorgWarner, and Denso, where NGK offers ceramic high-temperature glow plugs to OEM clients. Several OEMs worldwide have announced they will stop making cars with internal combustion engines. The government's recent announcement to outlaw internal combustion engines and strict emission regulations motivated OEMs to focus on electric vehicles. This will hurt market growth over the forecast.

Recent Developments

• October 2022- The Board of Directors of GK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. decided to finalize the Joint Venture Agreement ("JVA") regarding capital and business alliance with IMC International Metalworking Companies B.V. by converting the Company's consolidated subsidiary into the joint venture company.
• October 2022- Autolite announced its support of the Techforce Mobile Stem Career Center at Aapex 2022.