Automotive Aluminum MarketSize and Trends

Automotive Aluminum Market Outlook – Rising demand for lightweight and fuel efficient automobiles supplementing market growth

North America is expected to dominate the automotive aluminum market over the forecast period. This is mainly attributed to the stringent implementation of yield strength standards. CAFÉ Standards were implemented in the U.S. in order to reduce energy consumption by increasing fuel economy in cars, vans, light trucks, and heavy trucks. This has augmented growth of the market in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to follow North America in the consumption of automotive aluminum. This is mainly attributed to increasing discretionary income in the region and supportive government initiatives, especially in the growth engines of the region — China and India. For instance, the Indian government allows for 100% FDI in the automotive industry, which accounts for 7.1% of the country’s GDP. Furthermore, as highlighted by India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Indian government aims to make automobiles manufacturing the mainstay of its ambitious Make in India initiative and projects the passenger vehicles market to triple to 9.4 million units by 2026, as highlighted in the Auto Mission Plan (AMP) 2016–2026. This trend is expected to follow over the forecast period. ASI Performance Standard (Principles and Criteria launched December 2014) and ASI Chain of Custody Standard govern the automotive aluminum industry. These standards are applicable on all the phases of manufacturing aluminum, which includes bauxite mining, alumina purification, primary aluminum production, stages such as rolling, forging, extrusion and foundry, material alteration, and refining and re-melting of recycled scrap.

Automotive manufacturers are focusing on improving performance, fuel economy and reducing emissions, without affecting the size, safety, and capability, a factor that has led to significant growth of the automotive aluminum market.