- Press Release -

Rockville, Md. The global automotive metal wheel market is set for sluggish, steady growth through 2022, according to Fact.MR, as demand for heavy wheels in cold-weather countries offsets a broader shift toward lighter alloys. Heavier wheels dampen acceleration and reduce skidding on snow and ice, which keeps them in favour in colder regions even as high-speed, lightweight vehicles pull demand the other way.

The aftermarket leads distribution, steel is the dominant material, casting is the leading process, and commercial passenger cars carry the largest revenue.

Channels, Materials and Technology

The aftermarket leads by channel, worth over US$ 18 Bn in 2017 and growing at a relatively high rate, with OEM the significant second. By material, steel wheels hold around US$ 11 Bn and grow fastest, ahead of aluminum alloy. Casting is the leading technology at over US$ 19 Bn in 2017 and also grows quickest, with forging second.

By vehicle, commercial passenger cars carry the largest revenue at more than US$ 85 Bn by 2022, luxury cars grow fastest, and mid-sized cars and light commercial vehicles grow in parallel. Colder regions remain the core demand base, where OEMs favour heavier metal wheels.

Climate and Handling Drive Demand

The market runs on conditions and handling. In cold climates, the weight of metal wheels is an advantage, improving grip and reducing skidding, and that keeps OEM and aftermarket demand steady. The main brakes on growth are the tendency of metal wheels to rust and corrode with changing weather, their incompatibility with tubeless tires, and the wider move toward lighter alloy wheels.

Suppliers and Their Playbook

The field brings together global wheel manufacturers.

• CITIC Limited, Iochpe-Maxion S.A., Superior Industries International, Inc., BORBET GmbH, Accuride Corporation, Topy Industries Ltd., Zhejiang Jingu Company Limited, Lizhong Wheel Group Ltd., ENKEI Corporation, and Alcar Holding GMBH are among the key players in the report.

Reading the Market for Decisions

For manufacturers, growth favours cast steel wheels and a strong aftermarket presence, especially in cold-climate markets. Investors get a large market with steady, replacement-led demand tempered by the alloy shift. Procurement teams can plan around casting and steel carrying volume and the aftermarket leading distribution through 2022.

About the Report

Fact.MR's study covers the global automotive metal wheel market for the 2017 to 2022 forecast period, with segmentation by material, technology, vehicle type, sales channel and region. It sizes each segment, maps the competitive field, and weighs the demand forces shaping the market. Further detail is available in the automotive metal wheel market report.

About Fact.MR

Fact.MR is a market research and consulting agency with deep expertise in emerging market intelligence. The firm is known for its syndicated research, custom research and consulting solutions, helping clients make decisions on demand, competition, investment, procurement and future growth.