PUBLISHER: Mordor Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 2116370
PUBLISHER: Mordor Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 2116370
According to Mordor Intelligence, the North America automotive engine oils market size is expected to grow from 2.80 Billion Liters in 2025 to 2.79 Billion Liters in 2026 and is forecast to reach 2.73 Billion Liters by 2031 at -0.45% CAGR over 2026-2031.

This report is Segmented by Product Type (Passenger Car Motor Oil, Heavy Duty Motor Oil, and Motorcycle Engine Oil), Base Stock (Mineral, Synthetic, Semi-Synthetic, and Bio-Based), and Geography (United States, Canada, and Mexico). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Volume (Litres).
The Environmental Protection Agency's Phase 3 greenhouse-gas program compels OEMs to cut heavy-duty CO2 by roughly 50% by 2045, prompting lubricant makers to commercialize lower-viscosity PC-12 heavy-duty oils in 2026 that can unlock up to 3% fuel savings in fleet trials. Similar efficiency imperatives under ILSAC GF-7 for passenger cars are driving demand for 0W-16 and 0W-20 synthetics, which offer improved high-temperature shear stability. Field data from CITGARD tests confirm a 2.1% fuel-economy gain when fleets switch from 15W-40 to optimized 10W-30 formulations. As state and federal carbon-reduction policies converge, the regulatory cascade secures a durable premium segment, even as aggregate volumes decline. Blenders able to validate performance under the American Petroleum Institute's new durability tests are positioned to capture share.
North American vehicle makers are embedding synthetic specifications in factory fill to meet warranty extensions and thermal load demands in turbocharged engines. General Motors' dexos1 Gen3 specification imposes tighter sludge and LSPI limits, effectively standardizing the use of full synthetic 0W-20 or 5W-30 in new cars. In the heavy-duty sector, leading truck OEMs are now approving 10W-30 FA-4 oils, which is accelerating aftermarket acceptance. ExxonMobil forecasts 80% growth in high-value performance lubricants by 2030 and is expanding PAO output to support OEM partnerships. Synthetics command a higher price-mix even as drain intervals lengthen, cushioning revenue decline for suppliers with advanced base-stock capacity.
Plug-in sales reached new highs in 2024, and the Department of Energy projects 55 million EVs by 2032, displacing a substantial fraction of oil consumption. Hybrids still require lubricant, but at lower volumes because engines operate intermittently and at optimized loads. State-level zero-emission mandates-California's Advanced Clean Cars II being a notable example-further compress the serviceable market. While new fluids for e-axles and thermal management emerge, fill-for-life designs and smaller sump volumes render these a fraction of traditional demand.
Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.
Passenger car motor oil currently accounts for 62.75% of the total volume, yet the adoption of electric vehicles sets the segment on a downward slope. The North America automotive engine oils market recorded its peak PCMO consumption during 2019-2024, after which volumes started to shrink as battery-only cars expanded their share. Despite that contraction, synthetics aligned with ILSAC GF-7 continue to capture market share, allowing suppliers to defend their revenue. OEM factory-fill mandates for Dexos1 Gen3 and GF-7 spark stronger pull-through at dealerships, while quick-lube chains upsell 0W-20 full synthetic oils to maintain ticket size.
Heavy-duty motor oil ranks second by liters and benefits from freight growth, even as efficiency programs temper volume. Fleet pilots have shown that switching to new FA-4 10W-30 oils can unlock fuel-economy gains of 1-4%, supporting price premiums. Over the forecast period, motorcycle engine oil is expected to slip least, with a -0.35% CAGR, owing to the growing popularity of electric motorcycles, scooters, and e-bikes. Improvements in battery life, charging infrastructure, and overall performance have made electric two-wheelers a more affordable, practical, and attractive option for consumers.