North American Lightweight Car Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The North American lightweight car market is poised for significant growth, driven by stringent fuel efficiency regulations and the increasing adoption of lightweight materials such as aluminum, high-strength steel, and magnesium. This market expansion is further supported by the shift towards electric vehicles and the decline of fossil fuel-powered engines, which necessitate the use of lightweight components to enhance performance and reduce environmental impact. The focus on reducing material costs through research and development is also a key factor in the market's growth trajectory.

Market Size of North American Lightweight Car Industry

North American Lightweight Car Market Summary
Study Period 2019-2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Market Size (2024) USD 34.66 Billion
Market Size (2029) USD 56.5 Billion
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 10.27 %
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

North American Lightweight Car Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

North American Lightweight Car Market Analysis

The North American Lightweight Car Market size is estimated at USD 34.66 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 56.5 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 10.27% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Over the long term, the market for lightweight cars in North America is expected to be driven by regulatory authorities pushing for fuel efficiency. The lightweight car market in North America is becoming stringent to serve the strict fuel economy standards of the United States Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements, which are also being adopted by Canada and Mexico.

  • According to the Energy Information Administration, the carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the transportation sector in the United States touched 1,836 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022 compared to 1,809 million metric tons in 2021, recording a Y-o-Y growth of 1.4% between 2021 and 2022.

Lightweighting is becoming a major trend in many industrial sectors, including not only transportation but also civil infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy technologies. In contrast to popular belief, lightweight components include aspects such as structural efficiency, economic and environmental impact, and other aspects involving structural efficiency. In industry, reducing a product's weight not only consumes fewer resources for manufacturing but also requires less transportation energy, preserving natural resources and reducing harmful pollution.

The ideal materials for lightweight cars in this market include aluminum, high-strength steel, and magnesium. In the luxury segment, carbon fiber cars, like those used in BMW, are no longer expensive and are increasingly being used in mass-market car production. North American economies are focusing on reducing the cost of materials through concentrated research to drive the lightweight car market's growth.

With the emergence of electric vehicles and an increasing ban on diesel vehicles' production of gasoline and diesel engines, the fossil fuel-run automotive industry's growth may face negative growth. However, lightweight car materials will remain a driving factor due to their application in an alternative fuel vehicle market.

North American Lightweight Car Industry Segmentation

In the automotive industry, lightweight refers to the construction of cars using lightweight components such as metals, composites, etc. to improve fuel efficiency and handling. Car manufacturers use carbon fiber parts, plastic windshields, and aluminum foam bumpers to reduce vehicle weight.

The North American lightweight car Market is segmented by material types, manufacturing process, application, and country. By material types, the market is segmented into metals, composites, plastics, and others (elastomer, etc.). By manufacturing process, the market is segmented into extrusion, stamping, forging, casting, and others (molding, etc.). By application, the market is segmented into powertrain, exterior systems & components, interior systems & components, and frame. By country United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Rest of North America. 

The report offers market size and forecasts for lightweight cars in value (USD) for all the above segments.

By Material Type
Metals
Composites
Plastics
Others (Elastomer, etc.)
By Manufacturing Process
Extrusion
Stamping
Forging
Casting
Others (Molding, etc.)
By Application
Powertrain
Exterior Systems and Components
Interior Systems and Components
Frame
By Country
United States
Canada
Rest of North America
Need A Different Region Or Segment?
Customize Now

North American Lightweight Car Market Size Summary

The North American lightweight car market is poised for significant growth, driven by stringent regulatory standards aimed at enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. The market is influenced by the United States' Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements, which are also being adopted by Canada and Mexico. This regulatory push is encouraging automotive manufacturers to adopt lightweight materials such as aluminum, high-strength steel, and magnesium to meet these standards. The trend towards lightweighting is not limited to the automotive sector; it is also gaining traction in industries like civil infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy technologies. The use of advanced materials, including carbon fiber and titanium alloys, is becoming more prevalent, particularly in luxury and sports vehicles, as manufacturers strive to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

The competitive landscape of the North American lightweight car market is characterized by the presence of major automotive players such as Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Toyota. These companies are actively investing in research and development to enhance the use of composite materials in their vehicles, aiming to gain a competitive edge. The market is expected to witness rapid advancements in lightweight component technologies, driven by collaborations and partnerships among industry players. Despite challenges such as the high cost of materials, the market is anticipated to experience robust growth, supported by the increasing consumer preference for eco-friendly vehicles and the ongoing development of lightweight material technologies.

Explore More

North American Lightweight Car Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 1.1 Market Drivers

      1. 1.1.1 Rapid Enhancement in Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS) Technology to Foster the Growth of the Market

    2. 1.2 Market Restraints

      1. 1.2.1 High Cost of Raw Material Hampers the Market Growth

    3. 1.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.3.1 Threat of New Entrants

      2. 1.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers

      3. 1.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      4. 1.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products

      5. 1.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Value - USD)

    1. 2.1 By Material Type

      1. 2.1.1 Metals

      2. 2.1.2 Composites

      3. 2.1.3 Plastics

      4. 2.1.4 Others (Elastomer, etc.)

    2. 2.2 By Manufacturing Process

      1. 2.2.1 Extrusion

      2. 2.2.2 Stamping

      3. 2.2.3 Forging

      4. 2.2.4 Casting

      5. 2.2.5 Others (Molding, etc.)

    3. 2.3 By Application

      1. 2.3.1 Powertrain

      2. 2.3.2 Exterior Systems and Components

      3. 2.3.3 Interior Systems and Components

      4. 2.3.4 Frame

    4. 2.4 By Country

      1. 2.4.1 United States

      2. 2.4.2 Canada

      3. 2.4.3 Rest of North America

North American Lightweight Car Market Size FAQs

The North American Lightweight Car Market size is expected to reach USD 34.66 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 10.27% to reach USD 56.5 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the North American Lightweight Car Market size is expected to reach USD 34.66 billion.

North American Lightweight Car Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)