Clutch Disc Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Transmission Type (Manual Transmission, Automatic Transmission, Automated Manual Transmission, and Others), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles) and Regional Forecasts, 2019-2026

The global clutch disc market size was valued at USD 3.98 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 5.28 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.60% during the forecast period. In 2018, the Europe clutch disc market was valued at USD 0.30 billion.

Clutch discs are the vital mechanical devices that are used for engagement and disengagement of the transmission from driving as well as the driven shafts. The clutch is present in manual as well as in automatic vehicles. Manual transmission vehicles consist of a single clutch, whereas automatic transmission vehicles have multiple clutches. The vehicles with manual transmission and automated manual transmission use mechanical clutches to transfer power from engine to the gearbox, while the automatic transmission vehicles consist of a torque converter to transmit power.

The automatic transmission and automated manual transmission are gaining high popularity among passenger cars and commercial vehicles owing to technological advancement, affordable prices, and high fuel efficiency. The increasing urbanization, expansion in industrialization, logistics, and rise in the disposable income of people are augmenting the growth of the market. Moreover, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expanding their production capabilities by adopting and developing innovative technologies to meet the growing demand of the customers. Regions such as Asia Pacific and North America are the leading adopters of automatic transmission and automated manual transmission in vehicles.

MARKET TRENDS

Electronic Clutch System is Accelerating the Growth of the Market

The electronic clutch system (eCS) or electronic clutch management (ECM) is an intelligent automatic clutch system which consists of an actuator control unit (ACU) and clutch actuator module (CAM). The CAM engages and disengages the clutch while the ACU controls the CAM based on the clutch and the driving situation. The CAM has a brushless direct current motor (BLDC motor) and a position sensor that can be used in vehicles with manual transmissions (with or without an electronic clutch pedal). The eCS allows various functions of vehicles with manual transmission and also supports the functions for automated driving, for example, parking assistant. The ACU can be used in vehicles with a manual transmission, having a clutch actuator module or an electronic clutch pedal. It delivers cruising, comfort strategies, and also other safety functions. The electronic clutch system enables swift driving, smoother gear shift and clutch operation, and improves the fuel economy owing to the coasting functions. It also reduces the strain on the driver and enhances comfort while driving.  

Europe Clutch Disc Market Size, 2015-2026 (USD million)

MARKET DRIVERS

Rapid Adoption of Automatic Transmission in Passenger Cars is Expected to Drive the Market Growth

The rapid adoption of advanced technology in the automotive industry is driving the growth of the market. Automatic transmission is widely used by the passenger cars owing to the rising demand for comfort, greater convenience, and easy usage. Also, the rising traffic congestion across the globe is propelling the consumers to buy automatic transmission vehicles. The prominent automotive manufacturing companies are spending a high percentage on research to develop transmission systems to meet the growing need for fuel-efficient and comfortable driving experience. The automatic transmission vehicles are gaining attraction of the young population owing to the elimination of clutch and gears, easy driving, and high performance. The rising popularity of automation, high performance, and technologically advanced cars are creating a positive impact on the growth of the market. Some of the leading companies such as Hyundai, and TATA Motors are working towards the development of automatic transmission vehicles.

The Growing Adoption of Automated Manual Transmission in Commercial Vehicles to Drive Growth

Globally, the increasing urbanization, improved road infrastructures, expansion in industrialization, which is boosting the logistics industry, growth in the IT sector, mining, construction and the constantly increasing population is augmenting the growth of commercial vehicles. The automated manual transmission has a dual approach. It means the driver can either use the automatic transmission or can shift to the manual gear system when needed, by pushing the gear lever for upshift and pulling backward for downshift. The automated manual transmission has a gearbox but the clutch pedal is eliminated. This transmission consists of a single clutch and dual-clutch. The dual clutch system has a better performance in terms of smooth gearshift and swift throttle response.

MARKET RESTRAINT 

Increasing Adoption of Electric Vehicles is Anticipated to Restraint Growth

The global automotive industry is experiencing a shift from conventional fuel vehicles to electric vehicles. An electric vehicle does not require gears as the electric motor delivers a larger torque at zero RPM as compared to the traditional internal combustion engine. The electric motor is continuously generating a magnetic field that causes rotation of the motor, which further moves the driving wheel of an electric vehicle. As a result, the electric vehicle may not necessarily need the clutch mechanism. Moreover, the increasing emission caused by the fuels of the vehicles is leading to air pollution and global warming crisis. The automotive manufacturing companies are inclining more towards the sustainable sources of energy by spending a high percentage on research to develop electric vehicles with advanced technology. The increasing inclination of people towards zero emission vehicles and the government subsidies provided to the automotive industry to ramp up the electric vehicle portfolio might have an adverse effect on the market during the forecast period. Furthermore, countries such as China and Japan in Asia Pacific are the largest hubs for electric vehicles.

SEGMENTATION

By Transmission Type Analysis

Automatic Transmission (AT) Type Segment is Expected to Dominate the Clutch Disc Market

Based on the transmission type, the market is segmented into the manual transmission, automatic transmission, automated manual transmission, and others. The automatic transmission segment holds the maximum clutch disc in the automotive market share across the globe. It is one of the critical components of the powertrain that transfers the power generated by the engine to the wheels of the vehicle. The automatic transmission can change the gear as the vehicle moves by eradicating the need to shift the gears manually. It is also known as self-shifting transmission or dual pedal technology. An ingenious planetary gearset device is used in the automatic transmission that produces all the different gear ratios. The increasing traffic congestion, as well as the rising demand for comfort and convenience while driving, are few of the reasons for the increasing inclination of people towards automatic transmission vehicles.

Automated manual transmission is widely used in commercial vehicles. The increasing industrialization, improved infrastructures, and logistics are propelling the growth of commercial vehicles and ultimately leveraging the market growth across the globe.

The manual transmission segment is also expected to show steady growth owing to its low price, better fuel efficiency, and easy maintenance.

By Vehicle Type Analysis

Passenger Cars Segment Expected to Hold the Largest Market Share

In terms of vehicle type, the market is segmented into passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The passenger car segment holds the largest share in the market owing to the increasing inclination of consumers towards automatic transmission in cars. Moreover, the rise in disposable income and development in technology are eventually increasing the sales and production of passenger cars across the globe. Prominent automotive manufacturing companies are spending a high percentage on developing clutch systems that would reduce the driver’s fatigue by offering clutch and gear free driving experience. Nowadays, the trend of automatic or clutchless transmission in vehicles is attracting the young generation, thus creating more demand for clutch discs in the automotive industry. The automatic transmission is not only limited to the high performance and luxury cars but also available in entry-level and mid-sized cars.

Furthermore, the governments of various countries are also taking various initiatives to promote the sales of automobiles across the globe.

The commercial vehicle segment is also set to show an exponential growth in the global market owing to the adoption of automated manual transmission or clutchless manual transmission. The expansion in industrialization and improvement in the road infrastructures across the globe are giving rise to the long distance transportation and logistics.  Moreover, the increasing popularity of clutch and gear free driving experience is eventually upsurging the growth of the clutch disc market worldwide.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Asia Pacific holds the largest share in the global market owing to the high volume of vehicles in this region. Developing economies such as India and China consist of the maximum number of automotive manufacturers, thus propelling the growth of the market in this region. The increasing urbanization, expansion in industrialization, improved infrastructures, and rise in the purchasing capacity of people are ultimately leading to the growth of the market. Moreover, the governments are taking various initiatives and providing subsidies to promote the sales of vehicles in the region. The rapid adoption of automatic transmission in vehicles is also leveraging the growth of the market in the region.

North America is expected to show exponential growth during the forecast period owing to the high volume of commercial vehicles in this region. The rapid adoption of automated manual transmission in the commercial vehicles is expected to boost the market in this region. Moreover, the automotive manufacturing companies are working towards developing fuel-efficient, high performance, and better convenience vehicles to meet the growing demand of their customers.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

BorgWarner Innovates Torque Vectoring Dual-Clutch System for Electric Vehicles

BorgWarner developed an innovative torque vectoring dual-clutch system for electric vehicles which uses just one electric motor instead of two that are traditionally found in electric vehicles. The dual clutches would replace the conventional differential in an electric driveline. The innovative technology is compact, cost effective, and energy efficient. The company will start its production from 2022 for the electric vehicle. The company maintains its leading position in the market by providing endless innovations and developments to the automotive industry.

LIST OF KEY PLAYERS PROFILED:

• ZF Friedrichshafen AG


• Schaeffler Technologies AG


• Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.


• BorgWarner Inc.


• Valeo S.A.


• Exedy Corporation 


• F.C.C. Co., Ltd.


• Eaton Corporation PLC

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• September 2017 – ZF Friedrichshafen AG Develops Innovative Clutch Technology for TraXon: ZF innovated the single disc clutch for its new automatic commercial vehicle transmission. The clutch system features economical operations, new torsional dampers to lower the speed, and uses powerful pneumatic actuators for clutch actuation.


• November 2019 – BorgWarner Offers P2 Hybrid Solutions for ChangAn’s New Transmission: BorgWarner collaborated with the leading Chinese original equipment manufacturer ChangAn Automobile to supply the highly integrated electro-hydraulic control unit and compact triple clutch P2 drive module for ChangAn’s next-generation hybrid transmission technology.  

REPORT COVERAGE

The clutch disc market report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product types, and leading applications of the product. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation