Automotive Skid Plate Market Size 2024-2028
The automotive skid plate market size is forecast to increase by USD 59.36 billion at a CAGR of 9.9% between 2023 and 2028.
- The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing popularity of off-road activities among consumers. This trend is fueled by the growing demand for vehicles capable of handling rough terrains, thereby increasing the need for robust skid plates to protect the undercarriage. Furthermore, the focus on advanced materials, such as aluminum and steel alloys, in the production of automotive skid plates is a key trend in the market. These materials offer superior protection against impact and corrosion, enhancing the overall durability and longevity of the skid plates. However, regulatory hurdles impact adoption, with stringent emission norms and safety regulations posing challenges for manufacturers.
- Additionally, supply chain inconsistencies, particularly in the sourcing of raw materials and component parts, can temper growth potential. Despite these challenges, there is a growing preference for body accessories, including skid plates, for their aesthetic appeal rather than just their functional benefits. This trend presents a significant opportunity for market players to innovate and differentiate their offerings, catering to the evolving needs and preferences of consumers. Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges effectively should focus on optimizing their supply chain, investing in research and development, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance customer engagement and experience.
What will be the Size of the Automotive Skid Plate Market during the forecast period?
- In the automotive market, skid plates have emerged as essential components for preventing damage to a vehicle's undercarriage, particularly for truck owners and adventure seekers. Chassis protection is a priority for maintenance professionals and SUV drivers, ensuring vehicle durability and increasing the lifespan of their vehicles. Performance car owners and off-road enthusiasts also seek advanced manufacturing techniques for vehicle upgrades, such as bumper guards, rock sliders, and high-strength materials. Commercial vehicle operators and fleet managers prioritize crash protection and repair shop efficiency, while reducing repair costs through customizable solutions.
- The market for automotive skid plates continues to evolve, with a focus on rugged construction, impact absorption, and driving safety. The demand for undercarriage protection is on the rise, as more consumers seek to enhance their vehicles' off-road performance and durability.
How is this Automotive Skid Plate Industry segmented?
The automotive skid plate industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD billion" for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.
- Application
- SUV
- Pick up truck
- ATV
- Adventure motorcycle
- Others
- Distribution Channel
- OEM
- Aftermarket
- Geography
- North America
- US
- Canada
- Europe
- Germany
- APAC
- China
- Japan
- Rest of World (ROW)
- North America
By Application Insights
The suv segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
The aftermarket industry has experienced significant growth in the US market, with a focus on underbody protection becoming increasingly popular among consumers. Fuel tank protection, a critical component of underbody shielding, is in high demand, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles and performance vehicles used in off-road activities such as rock crawling and trail driving. Aluminum skid plates and custom skid plates are popular choices due to their lightweight properties and superior corrosion resistance. Performance enhancements are a significant factor driving the demand for these protective components, as they provide impact resistance and suspension protection, ensuring the vehicle's durability and longevity.
Commercial vehicles, including delivery trucks and construction equipment, also require robust underbody protection. Composite skid plates and welded skid plates are popular options due to their high abrasion resistance and differential protection capabilities. Transmission protection is another essential consideration for commercial vehicles, ensuring the smooth operation of the vehicle and reducing downtime. Bolt-on skid plates offer a cost-effective solution for consumers seeking aftermarket replacement parts. OEM skid plates are also available, providing a perfect fit and ensuring optimal vehicle protection. Material science plays a crucial role in the development of skid plates, with ongoing research focusing on improving the strength and durability of lightweight materials.
In summary, the market for underbody protection in the US is thriving, driven by the popularity of SUVs and the demand for performance enhancements and durability in both consumer and commercial applications. The use of advanced materials and ongoing research in material science will continue to shape the market, offering innovative solutions for vehicle protection.
The SUV segment was valued at USD 56.09 billion in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.
Regional Analysis
North America is estimated to contribute 48% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.
The market in North America experiences significant growth due to the high prevalence of utility vehicles, including pickup trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. These vehicles are popular for their versatility, suitable for both personal use and commercial activities. The region's diverse terrain, featuring mountains and rocky surfaces, further boosts the demand for skid plates. Skid plates provide essential underbody protection for fuel tanks, differentials, transmissions, suspensions, and engines, enhancing vehicle performance and durability. Manufacturers offer various types of skid plates, such as bolt-on, welded, aluminum, steel, composite, and custom designs. Lightweight materials like aluminum and composites are increasingly used for their abrasion resistance and impact resistance, catering to the performance-oriented vehicle market.
The aftermarket industry plays a crucial role in the market, offering replacement parts and upgrades for various vehicle models. Heavy-duty vehicles, including commercial trucks and off-road vehicles, also contribute significantly to the market. Skid plates for these vehicles offer superior ground clearance, corrosion resistance, and protection against impacts and abrasions. Material science advancements have led to the development of skid plates with enhanced strength and durability, catering to the evolving needs of the automotive industry.
Market Dynamics
Our researchers analyzed the data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.
What are the Automotive Skid Plate market drivers leading to the rise in the adoption of Industry?
- The increasing fascination among consumers towards off-road activities serves as the primary catalyst for market growth in this sector.
- Off-roading, as a popular recreational activity, has seen significant growth in recent years, leading to increased demand for vehicle customization that enhances protection against rugged terrains. Skid plates, essential accessories for off-road vehicles, provide engine and undercarriage protection during off-road excursions. These plates, available in steel and welded variants, shield vehicles from potential damage caused by rocks, logs, and other obstacles. The preference for off-road adventures has resulted in a thriving market for vehicle protection accessories. Overlanding, an activity involving self-reliant travel to remote destinations, has contributed significantly to the demand for skid plates.
- Enthusiasts modify their vehicles to ensure durability and protection during extended journeys through challenging landscapes. As a result, the market for skid plates continues to grow, catering to the needs of off-road enthusiasts worldwide.
What are the Automotive Skid Plate market trends shaping the Industry?
- The use of advanced materials in automotive skid plates is gaining increasing importance in the automotive industry, representing a notable market trend. Skid plates, which protect the undercarriage of vehicles from damage during off-road driving or harsh road conditions, are now being engineered with high-strength materials such as carbon fiber and titanium. This shift towards advanced materials enhances both the durability and weight efficiency of skid plates, providing significant benefits to automakers and consumers alike.
- Skid plates are essential underbody protections for vehicles, particularly in the aftermarket industry catering to off-road enthusiasts. These protective shields safeguard fuel tanks and other critical components from damage during rock crawling and trail driving in heavy-duty vehicles. Manufacturers are responding to the demand for enhanced performance and durability by incorporating advanced materials into skid plate production. High-strength alloys, such as aluminum, are increasingly used due to their unique properties. These alloys offer superior strength and resistance to impact, ensuring effective protection even in rugged off-road conditions.
- Simultaneously, their lightweight nature aligns with the industry's focus on fuel efficiency and performance. By utilizing high-strength alloys, skid plate manufacturers create custom skid plates that are both resilient and lightweight, contributing significantly to the overall vehicle efficiency.
How does Automotive Skid Plate market faces challenges face during its growth?
- The increasing preference for body accessories as purely aesthetic elements over functional components poses a significant challenge to the industry's growth trajectory.
- The automotive industry continues to prioritize performance enhancements in both on-road and off-road vehicles. Bolt-on skid plates, a functional component that provides undercarriage protection, have gained popularity due to their ability to enhance a vehicle's appearance while offering essential protection. Manufacturers are increasingly using lightweight materials, such as aluminum and titanium, in the production of skid plates, ensuring both durability and improved ground clearance. Corrosion resistance is another crucial factor driving the demand for skid plates, as they protect vital components like differentials from damage caused by road debris and off-road terrain. The use of advanced material science in the manufacturing process further enhances the skid plates' capabilities, providing superior protection against impact and wear.
- Performance vehicles, particularly premium off-road SUVs and high-performance cars, have been trending in the automotive market. The design influences from these vehicles have led to the growing popularity of skid plates as an essential accessory for both functionality and aesthetics. Despite their non-functional counterparts, which are used primarily for design purposes, the demand for functional skid plates remains strong, as they offer tangible benefits to consumers, including protection and improved ground clearance.
Exclusive Customer Landscape
The automotive skid plate market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the automotive skid plate market report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.
Customer Landscape
Key Companies & Market Insights
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, automotive skid plate market forecast, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the industry.
Ace Engineering and Fab - The company specializes in manufacturing and supplying robust skid plates for automotive applications.
The industry research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:
- Ace Engineering and Fab
- All Pro Off Road
- ARB USA
- ARTEC INDUSTRIES LLC
- Asfir Technologies Ltd.
- Budbuilt
- Carbon Fox
- Clayton Offroad
- Cycra
- Dirtbound Inc.
- Enthusiast Auto Holdings
- EVO MFG
- GenRight Off Road Inc.
- ICON Vehicle Dynamics
- JCROFFROAD INC.
- JOES Racing Products
- Relentless Off Road Fabrication
- Ricochet Off Road
- Setina Manufacturing Inc.
- Steel Skid Plate
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key industry players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
Recent Development and News in Automotive Skid Plate Market
- In January 2024, Magna International, a leading automotive supplier, announced the launch of its new line of lightweight skid plates for electric vehicles (EVs) at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). These skid plates, made from advanced materials, offer improved protection against road debris and enhance the vehicle's off-road capabilities (Magna International Press Release, 2024).
- In October 2025, Tata Elxsi, a global design and technology services company, entered into a strategic partnership with Continental AG, a leading automotive technology company, to develop advanced skid plate solutions for autonomous vehicles. This collaboration aims to integrate Tata Elxsi's design expertise and Continental AG's technology know-how, resulting in superior skid plate systems for autonomous vehicles (Continental AG Press Release, 2025).
- In March 2024, LG Chem, a leading battery manufacturer, secured a significant investment of USD1 billion from Hyundai Motor Company to expand its production capacity for automotive batteries and skid plates. This investment will enable LG Chem to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles and their associated components, such as skid plates (Reuters, 2024).
- In July 2025, the European Union passed a new regulation mandating the installation of skid plates on all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles to improve road safety and reduce vehicle damage. This regulation is expected to boost the demand for skid plates in Europe, particularly for electric vehicles (European Parliament Press Release, 2025).
Research Analyst Overview
The market continues to evolve, driven by the diverse needs of various sectors. Fuel tank protection and underbody shielding remain key applications, with the aftermarket industry playing a significant role in catering to these demands. Rock crawling enthusiasts seek robust aluminum skid plates for their heavy-duty vehicles, while custom skid plates cater to trail driving and vehicle customization. Performance enhancements and lightweight materials are shaping the market, with performance vehicles and commercial vehicles benefiting from composite skid plates. Material science advances bring corrosion resistance and impact resistance to the forefront, enhancing skid plates' protective capabilities.
Ground clearance and differential protection are essential considerations for off-road vehicles, leading to the development of bolt-on skid plates. Suspension protection is another critical aspect, with steel and welded skid plates offering robust solutions. Transmission protection is also gaining importance, as aftermarket skid plates increasingly become replacement parts for OEM offerings. The ongoing market dynamics reflect the continuous unfolding of activities across sectors, with each application presenting unique challenges and opportunities. The evolving patterns in skid plate design and materials underscore the industry's commitment to providing effective vehicle protection.
Dive into Technavio's robust research methodology, blending expert interviews, extensive data synthesis, and validated models for unparalleled Automotive Skid Plate Market insights. See full methodology.
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Market Scope |
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Report Coverage |
Details |
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Page number |
168 |
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Base year |
2023 |
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Historic period |
2018-2022 |
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Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
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Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.9% |
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Market growth 2024-2028 |
USD 59.36 billion |
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Market structure |
Fragmented |
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YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
8.78 |
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Key countries |
US, Canada, China, Japan, and Germany |
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Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
What are the Key Data Covered in this Automotive Skid Plate Market Research and Growth Report?
- CAGR of the Automotive Skid Plate industry during the forecast period
- Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth and forecasting between 2024 and 2028
- Precise estimation of the size of the market and its contribution of the industry in focus to the parent market
- Accurate predictions about upcoming growth and trends and changes in consumer behaviour
- Growth of the market across North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa
- Thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
- Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the automotive skid plate market growth of industry companies
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