VoxelMatters releases new report on the future of AM in the automotive industry
From hypercars to high-volume vehicles, it's time to invest in a segment poised to grow to over $30 billion by 2034
VoxelMatters Research has officially released its first comprehensive study on additive manufacturing in the automotive industry, providing insights into this rapidly growing segment of advanced manufacturing. The Automotive AM 2025 Report is now available, offering stakeholders a clear view of the current landscape, growth opportunities, and long-term outlook for 3D printing technologies in the automotive sector.
The automotive industry has long been a pioneer in additive manufacturing. From the earliest days of rapid prototyping to today’s high-performance and electrified vehicles, AM has consistently accelerated innovation. Now, as adoption scales across tooling, production, and digital inventory, the industry stands at an inflection point.
VoxelMatters’ report outlines the roadmap for what comes next: a $32.8 billion market opportunity defined by rapid technological progress, deeper supply chain integration, and a shift toward serial and mass production. For those ready to embrace the future of automotive manufacturing, the message is clear: the time to invest is now.
A market (finally) poised for explosive growth
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2024, the global automotive AM market generated $2.7 billion, representing a significant 22.4% increase from the previous year. But this is just the beginning. According to VoxelMatters’ forecast, the market is expected to reach $32.8 billion by 2034, reflecting a strong CAGR of 28.4%.
This expansion reflects the automotive sector’s gradual but decisive shift from prototyping and tooling to end-use part production. Tooling, jigs, fixtures, and production aids are rapidly gaining traction, while serial and even mass-production applications are beginning to emerge.
The report reveals that while polymers dominate by volume—growing from $1.44 billion in 2024 to $13.34 billion by 2034—metals are driving value, with expectations for growth from $1.26 billion to $19.47 billion in the same period, potentially overtaking polymers before the decade ends. This shift underscores the central role of high-performance applications in both electric and high-performance vehicles.
From hypercars to high-volume vehicles
VoxelMatters’ study illustrates how automakers and suppliers are currently implementing AM. At the forefront, Czinger’s 21C hypercar and the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) showcase a radical new approach to vehicle structures. Using AI-designed and 3D printed nodes, Divergent is pioneering an agile, robot-assembled chassis system, already being deployed in partnerships with McLaren and Bugatti Rimac. In motorsport, Formula 1 teams have fully integrated additive manufacturing into their operations. From wind-tunnel models to race-critical parts, AM facilitates faster iteration under strict performance and budget constraints.
Mainstream OEMs are also ramping up adoption. BMW’s AM Campus is pioneering additive tools and digital casting workflows, while General Motors has introduced over 100 printed parts in its Cadillac CELESTIQ, along with tens of thousands of polymer seals in high-volume vehicles like the Tahoe. Daimler Buses is leveraging digital spare parts warehousing and mobile “mini-factories” for on-demand service parts, thus reducing storage costs and shortening lead times. Together, these and many other examples demonstrate how additive manufacturing is becoming a critical enabler of automotive innovation.
What’s inside the Automotive AM 2025 report
The Automotive AM 2025 Report is VoxelMatters’ first in-depth exploration of additive manufacturing adoption across the automotive sector. It draws from the company’s proprietary database—developed through years of continuous research—and provides a uniquely comprehensive dataset.
The study profiles 1,135 companies, including:
- 1,021 core AM companies, spanning hardware providers, material suppliers, and service bureaus.
- 114 adopters, including major OEMs and Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers.
The report also includes:
- Over 50 tables and 60 charts detailing revenues, unit sales, and adoption trends across polymer and metal AM.
- Detailed segmentation of hardware, materials, services, and adopters.
- Market forecasts to 2034, highlighting growth opportunities across passenger, commercial, electric, hybrid, and motorsport segments.
- Case studies showcasing successful AM implementations across the value chain.
Featured core AM players include 3D Systems, EOS, Nikon SLM Solutions, Carbon, Stratasys, voxeljet, HP, Materialise, Prusa Research, Pankl, BLT, HBD and Farsoon. Leading adopters profiled include BMW, GM, Ford Motors, Stellantis, Ferrari, McLaren, Volkswagen Group, Toyota, Daimler and Czinger.
Why this matters now
The automotive industry faces immense pressure to reduce costs and innovate—particularly in Europe—while simultaneously navigating the transition to electrification, lightweighting, and digitalized supply chains. This is precisely when AM can deliver maximum value.
The report indicates that internal AM production currently accounts for 70% of the overall automotive additive manufacturing market value, confirming that OEMs and suppliers are integrating additive workflows directly into their operations. From tooling and rapid prototyping to serial production and digital spares, the benefits are undeniable: faster development, lower costs, lighter parts, and more resilient supply chains.
VoxelMatters argues that now is the time for automotive companies to invest counter-cyclically in AM capabilities. As the energy sector’s adoption during the 2014–2016 downturn demonstrated, economic slumps can accelerate the implementation of disruptive technologies. In the automotive industry, this means AM will soon become a mainstream production tool—especially for tooling and high-value metal applications.
For more information and purchasing details, visit VoxelMatters Research.
