Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Shaft Type (Solid Intermediate Shaft and Hollow Intermediate Shaft), By Material (Steel Intermediate Shaft, Aluminium Intermediate Shaft, and Composite Intermediate Shaft), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, and Heavy Commercial Vehicles), By Sales Channel (OEM and Aftermarket), and Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market Size is Expected to Hold a Significant Share by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market Size is Expected to Hold a Significant Share By 2035, at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period 2025-2035. The automotive intermediate shaft market in Japan is growing due to various factors, led mainly by the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and the focus on green transport. 

Market Overview

The industry segment devoted to the manufacture, marketing, and development of intermediate shafts for use in the automotive industry is known as the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market. These shafts are essential to power transmission as they link various drivetrain components, ensuring efficient and seamless functioning. This component is necessary for both conventional and electric vehicles, providing effective torque transmission and enabling innovation in powertrain technologies. The transition to electric and hybrid cars, along with tightening emissions norms, has increased the need for high-performance midshafts. The automotive industry's focus on fuel efficiency and lower emissions drives this trend.  AI-based quality control systems and automated production lines are also making manufacturing a lot more efficient and consistent in product quality. With electric vehicles and automation in industrial machinery, new opportunities for market growth are being presented. The Japanese companies are highly exposed to such trends through strategic partnerships and technological advances. Japan's pledge for carbon neutrality by 2050 and backing for green technologies support the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market. Plans for electric vehicle technology and emissions cuts further drive demand for sophisticated transmission components.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market.

Driving Factors

The key drivers for Japan's automotive intermediate shaft market are the increased demand for hybrid and electric cars that demand state-of-the-art and high-performance power transmission units. More stringent environmental standards and the need for reduced vehicle emissions are compelling automakers to implement lightweight and high-performance parts. Advances in technology, like the fusion of smart manufacturing and high-strength materials, also drive the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market expansion. Furthermore, Japan's sound automotive industry infrastructure, as well as government support for green mobility policies, inspires innovation and investment, which renders the nation a front-runner in automotive intermediate shaft production and development.

Restraining Factors

The market for Japan automotive intermediate shaft is constrained by the increasing transition towards electric vehicles with direct drive technologies, which decreases the demand for conventional shafts. Also, the development in transmission technologies, high cost of production, volatility in raw material prices, and competition from light vehicle designs constrain market growth and innovation.

Market Segmentation

The Japan automotive intermediate shaft market share is classified into shaft type, material, vehicle type, and sales channel

• The solid intermediate shaft segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan automotive intermediate shaft market is segmented by shaft type into solid intermediate shaft and hollow intermediate shaft.  Among these, the solid Intermediate Shaft segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to their durability and ability to handle high-torque applications, making them a preferred choice for commercial and heavy-duty vehicles. With the increasing demand for commercial vehicles, fuelled by expanding transportation and logistics industries, solid intermediate shafts are likely to experience steady demand.

• The steel intermediate shaft segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan automotive intermediate shaft market is segmented by material into steel intermediate shaft, aluminium intermediate shaft, and composite intermediate shaft. Among these, the steel intermediate shaft segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to their durability and affordability, particularly for heavy-duty and commercial vehicle use. The demand for aluminium intermediate shafts will increase due to automakers' favouring light-weighting to improve the efficiency of vehicles.

• The passenger cars segment held the largest share of the market in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan automotive intermediate shaft market is segmented by vehicle type into passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy commercial vehicles. Among these, the passenger cars segment held the largest share of the market in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.  This is attributed to their growing vehicle production, rising consumer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, and the shift towards electric and hybrid models. The rising technologies with high performance of midshafts and passenger cars are reviving demand for intermediate shafts.

• The OEM segment held the highest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan automotive intermediate shaft market is segmented by sales channel into OEM and aftermarket. Among these, the OEM segment held the highest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the intermediate shafts being integral components installed during the vehicle manufacturing process. OEMs will be rewarded with long-term supply contracts and cooperation with parts suppliers, guaranteeing stable growth in the market.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
• NSK Ltd.
• Honda Motor
• Panasonic Corporation
• Nissan Motor
• NTN Corporation
• Hitachi Ltd
• JTEKT Corporation
• GKN Automotive
• KEYENCE Corporation
• SANGO Co., Ltd
• Kobe Steel, Ltd.
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In May 2024, NSK introduced the latest automotive technologies at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2024 in Yokohama. The event highlighted developments in Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems, with the high-power column-type EPS applying to C-segment vehicles, reflecting NSK's drive for innovation in steering parts.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at Japan, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the Japan automotive intermediate shaft market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market, By Shaft Type

• Solid Intermediate Shaft
• Hollow Intermediate Shaft

Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market, By Material

• Steel Intermediate Shaft
• Aluminium Intermediate Shaft
• Composite Intermediate Shaft

Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market, By Vehicle Type

• Passenger Cars
• Light Commercial Vehicles
• Heavy Commercial Vehicles

Japan Automotive Intermediate Shaft Market, By Sales Channel

• OEM
• Aftermarket