What this market covers
Cylindrical parts that move inside engine cylinders to compress air and fuel and transmit force to the crankshaft. Buyers are engine makers and engine rebuilders.
Typical segments
- Aluminum pistons
- Forged pistons
- Diesel pistons
- Racing pistons
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +29% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -1% since 2020.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €2.71 billion of products under CN code 84099100 (Parts suitable for use solely or principally with spark-ignition internal combustion) from outside the EU in 2025. | 2.71 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 84099100 were up 29% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€2.10 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +29 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84099100 to countries outside the EU were worth €3.81 billion in 2025. | 3.81 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 84099100 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €7.28 billion in 2025. | 7.28 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 84099100 to the EU in 2025, with €606.7 million, or 22% of extra-EU imports. | 606.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84099100 to the United States were €509.7 million in 2025. | 509.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 84099100 was €19.64 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 19.64 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 84099100 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €2.16 billion. | 2.16 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 7,884 enterprises in NACE class C2932 (Manufacture of other parts and accessories for motor vehicles) in 2023. | 7,884 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2932 employed 900,000 people across the EU in 2022. | 900,000 persons employed | 2022 | Eurostat |
| The US had 937 private establishments in NAICS 336310 (Motor vehicle gasoline engine and engine parts manufacturing) in 2025. | 937 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 336310 employed an average of 53,975 people in US private industry in 2025. | 53,975 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 336310 changed by -1% between 2020 (54,556 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 336310 was $84,872 in 2025. | 84,872 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84099100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2712403114
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84099100, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2096936315; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2712403114
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84099100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3807478890
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84099100, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7275347187
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84099100, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 606688083
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84099100, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 509741933
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84099100, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2712403114, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1381237
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 84099100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2157521191
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2932, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 7884
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2932, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 900000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 336310, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336310, annual_avg_estabs 937
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336310, annual_avg_emplvl 53975
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 54556; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 53975
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336310, avg_annual_pay 84872
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Engine manufacturers
- Engine rebuilders
- Aftermarket distributors
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU automotive piston market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €2.71 billion of goods under CN 84099100 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €3.81 billion.
Where does the EU import automotive piston from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Türkiye, Korea, Republic of, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of automotive piston in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €19.64 per kilogram for CN 84099100 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most automotive piston?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Austria.
How many US companies are in the automotive piston industry?
BLS counts 937 private establishments in NAICS 336310 (Motor vehicle gasoline engine and engine parts manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the automotive piston industry?
Eurostat counts 7,884 enterprises in NACE class C2932 (Manufacture of other parts and accessories for motor vehicles).
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