Air Brake System Market Report 2025

This Air Brake System market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s characteristics, size, and growth, including segmentation, regional and country-level breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends, and strategies. It also tracks historical and forecasted market growth across various geographies.

The air brake system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.38 billion in 2024 to $5.71 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to railway expansion, the need for efficient and reliable braking systems in the industry, the rise of the automobile industry, continuous improvements in air brake technology, increasing urbanization, and the consequent growth of public transportation systems.

The air brake system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.23 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for hybrid and electric buses, growing adoption of heavy-duty vehicles, growing consumer awareness of vehicle safety, rising investment in transportation infrastructure, and growing need for commercial vehicles. Major trends in the forecast period include integration with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electric air brake systems, automated manufacturing, geographical expansion, and the development of modular air brake systems.

The increasing demand for commercial vehicles is expected to drive the growth of the air brake system market in the future. Commercial vehicles are motor vehicles designed for transporting goods or passengers for hire, compensation, or profit, typically larger and more robust than personal vehicles. This demand is fueled by infrastructure development and the expansion of logistics and transportation industries, which necessitate efficient transport solutions. Air brake systems installed in commercial vehicles ensure safety and efficiency by delivering reliable braking power and enhanced control. For example, in 2023, according to the International Organization of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade association based in France, global production of light commercial vehicles rose from 19.71 million units in 2022 to 21.44 million units in 2023. Thus, the increasing demand for commercial vehicles is a key driver of the growth in the air brake system market.

Major companies in the air brake system market are actively pursuing innovative technologies, such as electronic trailer braking systems (ETBS), to enhance safety, performance, and efficiency in commercial vehicles. ETBS represent a significant advancement in trailer braking, combining electronic components with traditional pneumatic air brake systems to improve braking control and overall safety. For example, in December 2023, Knorr-Bremse AG, a leading German manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, introduced the iTEBS X, a state-of-the-art electronic trailer braking system. This new system integrates an electronic control unit, sensor technology, and pneumatic brake control into a compact unit, offering trailer manufacturers a cost-effective and modular design solution. The iTEBS X builds upon previous generations by retaining efficient pneumatic coupling design and harmonizing tractor-trailer brake control functions. Additionally, it introduces new features such as an integrated lift axle valve, further enhancing functionality and adaptability to meet evolving industry needs.

In April 2022, Cummins Inc., a US-based company specializing in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of engines, filtration, and power generation products, completed the acquisition of Jacobs Vehicle Systems. The acquisition, whose financial details were undisclosed, bolstered Cummins' powertrain portfolio by integrating advanced engine braking and valve actuation technologies. This strategic move aimed to enhance vehicle efficiency, performance, and emissions control capabilities. Jacobs Vehicle Systems, also based in the US, is renowned for its expertise in manufacturing engine braking and valve actuation technologies tailored for commercial vehicles and off-highway machinery.

Major companies operating in the air brake system market are ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Eaton Corporation, Wabtec Corporation, Knorr-Bremse AG, Mando Corporation, Meritor Inc., Nabtesco Automotive Corporation, SAF-Holland Inc., Brakes India Pvt. Ltd., SORL Auto Parts Inc., Jost World, Haldex AB, Zhejiang VIE Science & Technology Co. Ltd., ProVia LLC, Wabco India Ltd., Federal-Mogul Goetze (India) Ltd., TMD Friction Holdings GmbH, Dayton Parts Inc., Webb Wheel Products Inc., MGM Brake, Carlisle Industrial Brake & Friction Inc., TSE Brakes Inc., VELVAC Inc., Aventics, FUWA K-Hitch.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the air brake system market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the air brake system market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the air brake system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

An air brake system is a braking mechanism commonly employed in heavy vehicles that utilizes compressed air to exert pressure on brake pads or shoes, generating the friction needed to decelerate or halt the vehicle.

Two primary types of air brake systems are air disc brakes and air drum brakes. Air disc brakes involve using compressed air to operate disc brakes instead of hydraulic fluid. Components of such systems include a compressor, governor, tank, air dryer, foot valve, brake chamber, slack adjuster, and others, designed for a variety of vehicles such as rigid-body trucks, heavy-duty trucks, semi-trucks, and buses. These systems find application in diverse settings including on-road and off-road vehicles, rolling stock, locomotive electro-pneumatic (EP), electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP), and others.

The air brake system market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides air brake system market statistics, including air brake system industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an air brake system market share, detailed air brake system market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the air brake system industry. This air brake system market research report delivers a complete perspective on everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The air brake system market consists of sales of products including air reservoirs, brake pedals, pressure gauges and indicators, brake lines and hoses, and quick-release valves. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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