Automotive Lubricants Market Trends

Global Automotive Lubricants Market Overview

Automotive Lubricants Market Size was prized at USD 95.39 billion in 2023. The automotive lubricants industry is projected to grow from USD 99.78 Billion in 2024 to USD 136.70 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.01% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Growth in disposable income, dependence on private vehicles for mobility, increased on-road vehicles, economic stability, and consumer affordability are the leading market drivers enhancing market growth. The worldwide automotive lubricant market is being driven by the opportunity for maintenance created by the fleet of aging vehicles.

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Automotive Lubricants Market Trends

• Growing demand for synthetic lubricants is driving the market growth

Market CAGR for automotive lubricants is driven by the rising demand for synthetic lubricants. Mineral oils have undergone substantial processing to enhance their performance characteristics and satisfy the needs of contemporary automotive technologies, resulting in synthetic lubricants. Environmentally friendly and biodegradable lubricants are also covered in this section. In the past, synthetic lubricants were viewed as high-end goods with limited market penetration. Synthetic lubricants, however, are catching up as environmental issues and engine technology advance. These formulations provide longer oil drain intervals than comparable mineral lubricants to meet consumer demand. Synthetic lubricating oils also provide advantages such as increased hardware compatibility, lower vehicle emissions, and better fuel efficiency. These characteristics accelerate the use of synthetic lubricants, opening up new market expansion prospects.

The market acceptance of automotive lubricants is boosted by factors including their durability and vehicle protection. They defend against damage to a vehicle's systems and parts by drastically reducing friction between the pieces. Additionally, the need for low-viscosity and better-performing lubricating oils is continuously growing due to the industry's use of smaller and more complicated automotive systems. This is anticipated to support the invention and development of premium lubricating oils in the upcoming years.

Additionally, rising standards for high performance in automobiles encourage using new products. Automotive lubricants are essential for ensuring that consumer and industrial vehicles operate effectively in harsh weather situations. For instance, tractor engine oils help improve hardware compatibility of unwavering toughness and quality while safeguarding and ensuring the high performance of the tractor in harsh weather and field situations. They are designed to support a vehicle engine's correct operation and system overheating between -40°C and 250°C. The growth of the automotive lubricants industry will be boosted by its superior features and advantages over the foreseeable future. Thus, driving the automotive lubricants market revenue.

March 2024

Savsol Lubricants, a market leader in automotive and industrial lubricants, has introduced Savsol Ester 5, a biodegradable lubricant aimed at high-end applications, automobiles, and railways.

Unlike other vehicle lubricants that use petroleum derivatives, Savsol Ester 5 is created from edible oil fatty acid and compounds developed in-house by the firm.

Savita Oil Technologies is currently the sole manufacturer of Ester 5 lubricants in India, supplying Harley Davidson, Hero MotoCorp, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Tata Motors.

The business also anticipates the application of Ester 5 lubricants in EV batteries and super fast train coaches since they leave less deposit in engines and minimize friction, resulting in improved overall mileage.

Automotive Lubricants Market Segment Insights

Automotive Lubricants Material Insights

The automotive lubricants market segmentation, based on material, includes mineral oil, fully synthetic oil, semi-synthetic oil and bio-based oil. The automotive lubricants market share for mineral oil was highest in 2022. Its stability and temperature resistance allows for its incorporation into engine oil for lubrication and even better engine protection. Additionally, it can be produced in various viscosity classes and quality standards. Furthermore, in 2022, fully synthetic oil saw the fastest growth rate. They have a reputation for better temperature performance, the capacity to increase fuel efficiency, lengthen drain intervals, decrease friction, and significantly increase engine power.

Figure 1:  Automotive Lubricants Market, by Material, 2022 & 2032 (USD billion)                   

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Automotive Lubricants Product Type Insights

The  automotive lubricants market segmentation, based on product type, includes engine oil, brake oil, gear oil, grease, and other fluids. In 2022, engine oil dominated the market. For an automobile's engine to run properly, engine oil is essential. It supports the proper operation of moving parts and maintains the engine's cooling.

July 2021: Valvoline Inc., a leading  supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services based in the United States, announced the release of ValvolineTM All-Terrain, a new engine oil specifically designed for off-highway, heavy-duty diesel engines operating in harsh conditions and extreme duty cycles. This engine oil was created for heavy-duty vehicle operators who have off- and on-highway engines and are looking for oil to assist in preserving important engine parts from the stresses of extreme duty cycles.

Additionally, in 2022, gear oil witnessed the fastest growth rate. The gear oils sector will rise as more trucks, cars, and other vehicle machines adopt gear oil for their transmissions, differentials, and transfer cases.

Automotive Lubricants Application Insights

The  automotive lubricants market segmentation, based on application, includes two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars, lightweight commercial vehicles, and heavy-weight commercial vehicles. The largest portion of the  automotive lubricants market is anticipated to belong to the lightweight commercial vehicles category. The growth promoters include increased lubricant maintenance and usage awareness among automobile owners, stringent government emission regulations, improved road infrastructure, and rising income levels. Passenger cars acquired considerable market share because of their numerous advantages, including high resale value, low price, personal safety, higher gas mileage, simplicity, and greater dependability.

Automotive Lubricants Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The North American automotive lubricant area will dominate this market. The enormous industrialization that is going place in Mexico is the key driver of the North American market. Over the last ten years, Mexico has become a significant center for the production of cars. Due to Mexico's relatively low manufacturing costs, many major U.S.-based automakers have moved their production bases there.  More than 2.5 million light automobiles were produced in Mexico in 2021, of which General Motors, an American business, produced about 19% of the total.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2:  AUTOMOTIVE LUBRICANTS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)                       

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe Automotive lubricants market accounts for the second-largest market share. There is a growing need for synthetic vehicle lubricants in Europe due to rising customer demand for effective, high-quality lubricants. The region's market growth has been restrained due to the ripple effects of disruption brought on by the rise in electric vehicle demand and the implementation of strict environmental rules in the automotive sector. Further, the German Automotive lubricants market held the largest market share, and the UK Automotive lubricants market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Automotive Lubricants Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. Due to the region's strong economic expansion, massive construction projects, and the introduction of several favorable government policies like 100% FDI and "Smart Cities," the automotive industry is predicted to grow significantly over the projected period.  In addition, large business companies are moving their production facilities to the very lucrative Asia Pacific market because of the region's availability of cheap labor, rising demand, and supportive governmental regulations. Moreover, China’s Automotive lubricants market held the largest market share, and the Indian Automotive lubricants market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Automotive Lubricants Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to expand their product lines, which will help the Automotive lubricants market, grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their  footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the automotive lubricants industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the  automotive lubricants industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the automotive lubricants industry has offered some of the most significant medical advantages. Major players in the automotive lubricants market, including Chevron Corporation (US), Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Netherlands), BP PLC (UK), American Synthol, Inc. (US), and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

Valvoline Inc manufactures, markets, and sells vehicle maintenance products, primarily lubricants, to retailers, installers, and customers. Engine oil, heavy-duty engine oil, motorcycle oil, grease and brake fluid, and other goods are available from the company. Geographically, the United States of America generates the majority of its revenue. In April 2021, Valvoline Inc. introduced ValvolineTM High Mileage 150k with MaxLifeTM Plus Technology Synthetic Blend, the first engine oil specifically engineered to satisfy the needs of engines with more than 150,000 miles. The product's revolutionary composition minimizes oil consumption in older, high-mileage engines, while its Moly Additive ProtectionTM delivers superior wear protection, boosting engine efficiency and power.

ExxonMobil is a  integrated oil and gas business that discovers, produces, and refines oil.  With a total  refining capacity of 4.6 million barrels of oil per day, the firm is the world's largest refiner and one of the top producers of common and specialized chemicals worldwide. In March 2022, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd. formed a cooperation with Nissan Motor India to supply lubricants to the passenger vehicle (PV) aftermarket. The agreement will begin in April 2021, with ExxonMobil supplying significant engine oils to Nissan India that meet India's BS-VI specifications. It will also be compatible with Nissan, BS-III or BS-IV passenger vehicles.

The American Petroleum Institute divides base oil into five groups: 1–3 are sourced from crude oil, 4 are synthetic oils, and 5 are the most trustworthy esters.

According to Gautam N Mehra, Chairman of Savita Technologies, the use of Ester 5 lubricants in India is restricted to high-end automobiles because to their expensive cost, and the industry relies on imports for supplies. Savsol Ester 5 will be a big import substitution, and the business is looking into blending Ester 5 lubricants with synthetic oils to make them more cheap for the public, he added.

In an effort to reach a larger audience, the business has appointed Bollywood young sensation Sidharth Malhotra as Brand Ambassador for Savsol Lubricants.

Mehra said that Group 5 Esters are the most dependable and high-performing lubricating fluids, and they should only be utilized in situations where failure is not an option.

Savita Technologies sees significant prospects for Ester-5 lubricants in the aviation (jet engines), trains, data centers, construction equipment, and renewables (floating solar and wind gear boxes) sectors

Key Companies in the Automotive lubricants market include

• ROCOL (UK)


• American Synthol, Inc. (US)


• Gulf Oil (India)


• LIQUI MOLY GmbH (Germany)


• Ashland Inc. (US)


• Total (France)


• PT Pertamina (Persero) (Indonesia)


• Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Netherlands)


• IDEMITSU Kosan Co., Ltd. (Japan)


• LUKOIL (Russia)


• BP PLC (UK)


• ConocoPhillips Corporation (US)


• Fuchs (US)


• Chevron Corporation (US)


• ExxonMobil Corporation (US)

Automotive Lubricants Industry Developments

January 2023: McLaren Automotive has announced extending its agreement with Gulf Oil International as its Official Lubricant and Fuel Partner through 2023. As McLaren's official engine oil supplier, Gulf Formula Elite will continue to be the first fill lubricant in all McLaren Automotive supercars and hypercars departing the McLaren Production Centre following rigorous powertrain testing in 2021.

March 2020: Shell Indonesia announced plans to quadruple the capacity of its world-class lubricants oil blending plant (LOBP) in Marunda Centre, near Jakarta, Indonesia. When done, the factory can produce up to 300 million liters of finished lubricants per year throughout its 9-hectare site.

Automotive Lubricants Market Segmentation

Automotive Lubricants Material Outlook

• Mineral Oil


• Fully Synthetic Oil


• Semi-Synthetic Oil


• Bio-Based Oil

Automotive Lubricants Product Type Outlook

• Engine Oil


• Brake Oil


• Gear Oil


• Grease


• Other Fluids

Automotive Lubricants Application Outlook

• Two Wheelers


• Three Wheelers


• Passenger Cars


• Light-Weight Commercial Vehicles


• Heavy-Weight Commercial Vehicles

Automotive Lubricants Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America