Automotive Drive Shaft Market Size, Share, Growth and Industry Analysis by Type (Half Shaft, And, Propeller Shaft) By Application (Passenger Vehicle, And, Commercial Vehicle), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2034

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AUTOMOTIVE DRIVE SHAFT MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Automotive Drive Shaft Market size stood at USD 9.66 billion in 2025, growing further to USD 17.56 billion by 2034 at an estimated CAGR of 6.86% from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Automotive Drive Shaft Market size is projected at USD 3.2663 billion in 2025, the Europe Automotive Drive Shaft Market size is projected at USD 2.46832 billion in 2025, and the China Automotive Drive Shaft Market size is projected at USD 2.53885 billion in 2025.

An automotive drive shaft is also known by the name propellor shaft. It forms an important component of the drive train vehicle. The main function of this equipment is to provide torque from transmission to differential. This transmits the torque to the wheel thus helping the vehicle to move forward. It has motor and can transport the torque from the engine of the vehicle to its wheels. These drive shafts are made up of many materials like steel, aluminum, fiber and carbon.

The high usage of driving shafts in passenger cars and reduction in weight of automotives have been the latest development in the market. This is considered as the latest trend in the automotive drive shaft market.

A lot of people are opting for electric vehicles due to the various advantages provided by it. The increasing sales of utility automobiles has also increased the market growth. All the above-mentioned factors have collectively driven the automotive drive shaft market growth.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Downfall of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during COVID Decreased the Market Growth

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden spike in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

The pandemic of COVID-19 created challenges for all the industries across the world. Small and Medium Enterprises (SEMs) of automobile industry were hit by the pandemic, which in turn affected the automotive drive shaft market.

With several restrictions that were imposed during the pandemic, the manufacturing of the spare parts required to assemble the drive shaft saw a sudden decline. Certain metals and non-metal like aluminum, and carbon, are also required for the production of this equipment. They were not readily available during the pandemic time. Difficulty faced during import and export activities also brought down the market growth. After the market recovered from the pandemic, a lot of companies increased their investments in factory automation and this is expected to propel the automotive drive shaft market Share.

LATEST TRENDS

Reduction of Weight in The Automotive Market to Increase the Market Growth

Customers prefer vehicles that are light-weight rather than the ones that are heavy. This has been implemented in the automotive market and many vehicles are being manufactured with less weight. Hallow shafts are light in weight. These drive shafts are now being used in most of the passenger cars.

The demand for hallow shafts is increasing the market scope for the product. Aluminum propellor shafts are also in high demand these days due to their strength and sturdiness. Hallow shafts and aluminum propellor shafts have both become popular in the market owing to their properties and this is increasing the automotive shaft market share. 

• Over 20 % of commercial vehicles in 2025 feature lightweight composite drive shafts to reduce rotational inertia.

• Smart, sensor-integrated drive shafts enabling predictive maintenance were deployed in more than 20 % of heavy-duty truck fleets in early 2025.

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AUTOMOTIVE DRIVE SHAFT MARKET SEGMENTATION

• By Type

The market can be divided on the basis of type into the following segments:

Half shaft, and, propeller shaft. The half shaft segment is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period.

• By Application

Classification based on application into the following segment:

Passenger vehicle, and, commercial vehicle. The passenger vehicle segment is predicted to dominate the market during the research period.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Preferences Among People for Electric Vehicles to Accelerate Market Growth

Recently the sale of electric vehicles has increased due to many factors. People are choosing to buy electric vehicles rather than normal vehicles because they provide higher sustainability, are environmental-friendly, and can run without fuel. The increasing price of fuel is yet another reason why people are opting for electric vehicles.

Automotive drive shafts are used, in electric vehicles and this has become a major reason for the tremendous growth of the market in the recent years. Drive shafts are widely used in a front engine rear wheel drive car, cars with front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, motorcycles, marine vessels, and locomotives. Hybrid vehicles are also using the shafts. Increasing application of equipments in various vehicles has accelerated the automotive drive shaft market growth.

Rising sales of utility vehicles to Propel the Market Growth

Utility vehicles are motorized and are designed to carry out tasks with efficiency when compared to a passenger vehicle. Military light utility vehicle, armored utility vehicle, sport utility vehicle, and crossover utility vehicles are some of the types. All these automobiles make use of driving shaft.

Similarly, the rising demand for premium and luxury vehicles in fast growing countries have had a positive impact on the market. These collectively form the driving factors of the market.

• Adoption of carbon-fiber driveline components rose by 66 % in global luxury EVs between 2023–2025 .

• Asia‑Pacific passenger vehicle production increased by nearly 30 % from 2021 to 2024, fueling aftermarket drive shaft demand

RESTRAINING FACTOR

Heavy Weight of Drive Shaft to Bring Down the Market Growth

The major disadvantage of using automotive drive shaft is that it is heavier as compared to a chain. Because of heavy weight the drive shaft can absorb a lot of engine’s power even before the shaft reaches the rear wheel. Vibrations caused under the vehicle, difficulty in turning, squeaking noises and shuddering of the car during acceleration are some common problems faced while using a drive shaft. These factors hamper the market growth.

• Year-over-year raw steel price increases of 10–15 % in 2024-25 triggered cost pressures on steel shaft manufacturing .

• Supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 led to 20 % longer lead times for OEM shaft orders in 2020–2022 .

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AUTOMOTIVE DRIVE SHAFT MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to Dominate the Market in The Upcoming Years

North America is seen dominating the market due to many reasons such as the increasing establishment of production facilities, low tariff on the production of the automobile shafts. Rising demand for comfort and strict regulations regarding fuel efficiency are some other factors making North America the largest shareholder in the market.

Rising car sales, increasing disposable income of people resulting in vehicle purchases, and mainly the demand for premium and luxury vehicles is driving the market growth because all these factors are increasing the usage of automotive driving shafts in the vehicles. Collectively these factors have played a key role in making North America the leading market player.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS

Leading Players adopt Acquisition Strategies to Stay Competitive

Several players in the market are using acquisition strategies to build their business portfolio and strengthen their market position. In addition, partnerships and collaborations are among the common strategies adopted by companies. Key market players are making R&D investments to bring advanced technologies and solutions to the market.

• American Axle Manufacturing Inc.: Produced over 15 million driveline units in 2025, capturing ~5 % global market share.

• Wilson Drive Shafts: Regional supplier with 2 million units in North America in 2024.

List Of Top Automotive Drive Shaft Companies

• American Axle Manufacturing Inc.
• Wilson drive shafts
• GKN PLC.
• Xuchang Yuangdong
• The Timken Company
• Neapco Holdings, LLC.
• Nexteer Automotive
• Dana Incorporated
• IFA Rotorion
• Yamada Manufacturing

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides an insight into the global and United States talent assessment industry from both the demand and supply sides. Further, it also gives information on the impact of COVID-19 on the market, the driving and the restraining factors along with the regional insights. Market dynamic forces during the forecast period have also been discussed for the better understanding of the market situations. This report is very useful for forecasting the future of this technology.