Automotive spark plug market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period (2023-2030). A spark plug is an important element in an internal combustion (IC) engine, which ignites the fuel and air mixture by providing a spark. Globally, growing production in commercial and passenger vehicle production is a key driver for the growth of the automotive spark plug market. However, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and technical issues in spark plug systems may hinder the overall growth of the market. 

Segmental Outlook 

The global automotive spark plug market is segmented by product type, vehicle type, and sales channel. By product type, the market is sub-segmented into hot spark plugs, cold spark plug, metal glow plug, and ceramic glow plug among others. By vehicle type, the market is sub-segmented into passenger cars and commercial vehicles. By sales channel, the market is sub-segmented into OEM and aftermarket. Among vehicle types, passenger cars contribute the highest to the global automotive spark plug market owing to factors such as growth in global passenger car production and technological advancements. According to the data from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), the total production of cars has increased from 57 million units in 2021 to 61.6 million units in 2022. However, the market is expected to be affected negatively owing to factors such as the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and technological advancements in engine technology. As per the data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), The EV sector has experienced significant expansion, with sales surpassing 10 million in 2022. Electric cars accounted for 14% of all new car purchases in 2022 from approximately 9% in 2021 and less than 5% in 2020. Additionally, automakers are also focusing on new product development to use alternative fuel sources than diesel and petrol, which is further affecting the market. For instance, in June 2022, MAHLE Powertrain announced that be working on R&D to replace diesel with ammonia in combustion engines, mainly in heavy-duty applications. The project was funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy of the UK government. In the research, the firm is focused on developing Mahle’s single-cylinder engine and uses Mahle Jet Ignition (MJI) - replacing the traditional spark plug to ignite the ammonia, eliminating the need for a fossil-fuel ignition source.

Global passenger car production, in million units

Source: OICA

The OEM Sales Channel Contributes Highest to the Global Automotive Spark Plug Market

The OEM sales channel contributes the highest in the global automotive spark plug market owing to factors such as focus on portfolio expansion, collaboration with automotive manufacturers, quality assurance and brand awareness among consumers. OEMs are mostly focused on bulk manufacturing and collaboration with automotive manufacturers helping them to reduce cost reduction. Also, strong brand recognition of the OEMs and focus on quality and standardization also helps them to maintain brand recognition as compared to aftermarket players. With growing automotive production globally, the OEMs are also focusing on portfolio expansion which is further contributing to the overall market growth. For instance, in July 2023, Niterra America Inc. announced the expansion of spark plug and ignition coils by the addition of 15 new part numbers to its spark plug line. Also, in August 2022, Tenneco Inc. launched a range of Champion industrial spark plugs. According to the company, this ignition offering represents an economical double Iridium solution that rounds out Tenneco's Champion aftermarket value plug portfolio.

Regional Outlook

The global automotive spark plug market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America). Among regions, the demand for automotive spark plugs is expected to grow in the European region owing to factors such as growing automotive production in the region and the implementation of stringent environmental regulations. 

Global Automotive Spark Plug Market Growth by Region 2023-2030

The Asia Pacific Accounts Highest Share in the Global Automotive Spark Plug Market

The Asia Pacific represents the highest share of the global automotive spark plug market mainly due to such a significant share of the region in global automotive production, and growing investment in the region from original equipment manufacturers (OEM). According to the data from OICA, Asia Pacific holds China, Japan, India, and South Korea as among the top 5 automakers globally accounting for 51.0% of global automotive production in 2022. Additionally, major OEMs are also expanding in regional economies to cater to growing demand which is also contributing to the overall growth of the market. For instance, in August 2022, Steelbird International, an automotive filter manufacturing company announced a strategic partnership with German Supplier Hella to introduce horns and spark plugs for the two-wheeler segment. Under this partnership, Steelbird will leverage its marketing and distribution network to expand the product reach of Hella to maximum retail points in India.

Market Players Outlook

The major companies serving the global automotive spark plug market are BorgWarner Inc., General Motors, Delphi Technologies, and DENSO Corporation among others. Companies are increasingly focusing on market expansion and R&D to stay competitive. For instance, in July 2023, DENSO Corporation announced that it had concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on starting negotiations for the transfer of selected internal combustion engine parts operations to Niterra Co., Ltd.

The Report Covers

• Market value data analysis of 2022 and forecast to 2030.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the automotive spark plug market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.