Who manufactures engines? A sector-by-sector look in 2025

Many companies manufacture engines, depending on the sector: prominent names include GE Aerospace and CFM International (with Safran) in jet engines; Pratt & Whitney (RTX) and Rolls-Royce in aviation; Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, General Motors, Ford, Honda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis in automotive; Cummins, Caterpillar, MAN Energy Solutions, Wärtsilä, John Deere, and Deutz in industrial and marine; and SpaceX, Blue Origin, and L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne in rocket propulsion. Below is a clear, up-to-date guide to who makes what.

Commercial aviation and defense jet engines

Large turbofan and turboprop engines used by airlines and militaries are produced by a small group of global manufacturers and joint ventures. They power everything from single-aisle workhorses to the largest widebodies and modern fighters.

• GE Aerospace — Makes the GE9X (Boeing 777X) and, via 50–50 joint venture CFM International with Safran Aircraft Engines, the CFM56 and LEAP series that power most Boeing 737 and Airbus A320-family jets.
• Safran Aircraft Engines — Co-owner of CFM International (LEAP/CFM56) and maker of engines like the M88 (Dassault Rafale); a key systems supplier across programs.
• Pratt & Whitney (RTX) — Produces PW1000G “GTF” geared turbofan family (Airbus A220/A320neo variants), PW4000, PT6 turboprops, and the F135 for the F‑35 fighter.
• Rolls-Royce — Builds Trent 7000/1000/700 and Trent XWB (Airbus A330, 787, A350), Pearl business-jet engines, and major defense engines; also supplies aeroderivative turbines.
• Honeywell Aerospace — Leading maker of APUs and small turbofans (HTF7000) for business jets and regional aircraft.
• Williams International — Specializes in small turbofans for light and midsize business jets (FJ44 family).
• MTU Aero Engines — German partner that manufactures modules, assembles variants, and provides MRO across multiple programs (including GTF and GE/CFM families).

Together, these companies and partnerships dominate civil and military aviation propulsion, with long-term support networks and extensive global supply chains.

Automotive engines (passenger and light commercial)

Despite a rapid shift to electrification, most automakers still design and manufacture internal-combustion engines (ICE) for gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. Production spans in-house engines and collaborative ventures.

• Toyota Motor — Broad range of gasoline and hybrid ICE units across Toyota and Lexus; also experimenting with hydrogen combustion.
• Volkswagen Group — TSI/TDI families across VW, Audi, Škoda, SEAT/Cupra, and Porsche; continuing ICE alongside EV platforms.
• Hyundai Motor Group — Smartstream gasoline/diesel engines for Hyundai and Kia; hybrid and plug-in hybrid applications remain significant.
• General Motors — Ecotec gasoline engines and Duramax diesels (via DMAX LLC, a GM–Isuzu joint venture) for trucks and SUVs.
• Ford Motor Company — EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline engines and Power Stroke diesels; hybrid-ready architectures.
• Stellantis — ICE for Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat; includes the twin‑turbo “Hurricane” inline‑six and PureTech three-cylinder families.
• Honda — Efficient gasoline and hybrid ICE powertrains across Honda and Acura.
• BMW Group — Modular three‑ to eight‑cylinder engines for BMW and MINI; performance variants via M division.
• Mercedes‑Benz Group — Advanced four‑ to eight‑cylinder engines (including AMG) with widespread hybridization.
• Nissan and Renault Group — Produce ICE and hybrid engines; collaborate selectively under a rebalanced alliance.
• Mazda — Skyactiv engines, including inline‑six and rotary range‑extender for EVs.
• Subaru — Boxer engines paired with AWD; hybrid derivatives in select markets.
• Geely — ICE and hybrid engines across Geely brands; participates in Horse Powertrain Limited with Renault Group for global ICE/hybrid supply.
• BYD — Manufactures high‑efficiency ICE units as part of its DM‑i hybrid systems alongside its dominant EV lineup.

While EVs grow fast, ICE and hybrid engines remain central to global vehicle sales, especially in regions with developing charging infrastructure.

Heavy-duty trucks and buses

Heavy-duty powertrains rely on robust diesel and increasingly low‑carbon solutions. Many truck OEMs make their own engines, while independents supply multiple brands.

• Cummins — A leading independent supplier of diesel and natural‑gas engines (X15 platform), plus hydrogen ICE development; powers many global truck and equipment brands.
• PACCAR — MX‑series engines for Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF trucks.
• Daimler Truck — Detroit Diesel engines (North America) and Mercedes‑Benz engines (global) for Freightliner, Western Star, and Mercedes‑Benz trucks.
• Volvo Group — Volvo and Mack engines for heavy-duty trucks and buses.
• Traton Group — Scania and MAN engines across Europe and global markets.
• Isuzu — Diesel engines for trucks and pickups; partner in DMAX with GM for Duramax diesels.
• Hino Motors — Toyota group company making diesel and hybrid truck engines.

Stricter emissions standards are pushing improvements in efficiency, aftertreatment, and alternative fuels such as natural gas, HVO, and hydrogen.

Marine engines

From massive container ships to recreational boats, marine propulsion spans large two‑stroke diesels, medium‑speed engines, and high‑speed outboards.

• MAN Energy Solutions — Market leader in large two‑stroke and four‑stroke marine diesels for commercial fleets.
• Wärtsilä — Medium‑speed diesels, dual‑fuel, and hybrid systems for ships and ferries.
• Caterpillar (including MaK) — Large marine and offshore diesel engines.
• Rolls‑Royce Power Systems (mtu) — High‑speed marine diesels for yachts, naval vessels, and commercial craft.
• Volvo Penta — Marine diesels and gasoline engines with integrated propulsion systems.
• Yanmar — Marine diesels for commercial and leisure applications.
• Mercury Marine (Brunswick) — Outboard gasoline engines for recreational and commercial use.
• Yamaha Marine — Broad outboard engine lineup and controls.
• Honda Marine — Four‑stroke outboard engines.
• Suzuki Marine — Outboard engines across power classes.

Decarbonization is accelerating interest in LNG, methanol, ammonia‑ready designs, and hybrid-electric propulsion across the sector.

Industrial, agriculture, and construction equipment

Engines for tractors, excavators, generators, and industrial equipment emphasize durability, torque, and efficiency, often using diesel and natural gas.

• John Deere Power Systems — Diesel engines for agricultural and construction equipment and gensets.
• CNH Industrial — FPT Industrial builds engines for Case IH, New Holland, and external customers.
• AGCO Power — Engines for AGCO brands (Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Valtra) and OEM supply.
• Kubota — Small to mid‑sized industrial diesels and gasoline engines.
• Perkins (a Caterpillar company) — Widely used industrial diesel engines.
• Deutz AG — Air‑ and liquid‑cooled engines for equipment makers worldwide.
• Yanmar — Compact diesels for construction, agriculture, and power generation.

This segment is steadily adding hybridization, alternative fuels, and aftertreatment systems to meet tightening emissions rules.

Power generation and industrial gas turbines

Utility‑scale and industrial gas turbines convert fuel to electricity or mechanical power. Some derive from aircraft engines, while others are purpose‑built for grids and industry.

• GE Vernova — Heavy‑duty (e.g., HA class) and aeroderivative gas turbines for power and industrial applications.
• Siemens Energy — SGT series gas turbines and combined‑cycle solutions.
• Mitsubishi Power — M‑series advanced gas turbines for high‑efficiency plants.
• Rolls‑Royce — Aeroderivative turbine packages (RB211/Trent families) for distributed power and offshore.
• Solar Turbines (Caterpillar) — Industrial gas turbines for oil and gas, compression, and power.
• Ansaldo Energia — Gas turbines and combined‑cycle systems, primarily in Europe and emerging markets.

Gas turbines remain critical for grid stability and peaking, with growing use of hydrogen blending and carbon‑capture integrations.

Space and rocket engines

Rocket engines power orbital launch vehicles and spacecraft. The field blends private companies and state-backed manufacturers, with rapid innovation in methane engines and reusability.

• SpaceX — Merlin (kerosene) for Falcon 9/Heavy and Raptor (methane) for Starship; leaders in reusable propulsion.
• Blue Origin — BE‑4 (methane) for New Glenn and ULA’s Vulcan, and BE‑3 (hydrolox) for New Shepard.
• L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne — RS‑25 (SLS core), RL10 upper‑stage engines; a longstanding U.S. propulsion supplier.
• Rocket Lab — Electric‑pump Rutherford (kerosene) for Electron and Archimedes (methane, in development) for Neutron.
• Firefly Aerospace — Reaver (first stage) and Lightning (upper stage) for Alpha; developing Miranda with partners for medium‑lift.
• ArianeGroup — Vulcain 2.1 (core) and Vinci (upper stage) for Ariane 6.
• China (CASC/CALT) — YF series liquid engines (e.g., YF‑77, YF‑100, YF‑115) for Long March rockets.
• Roscosmos/NPO Energomash — RD‑180/181/191 family; exports to the U.S. ceased in 2022.
• ISRO (India) — Vikas (hypergolic), CE‑20 (cryogenic) and SCE‑200 (under development) for GSLV/ LVM3 and future vehicles.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries/JAXA — LE‑9 (core) and LE‑5B (upper stage) for Japan’s H3 rocket.

Reusability and methane engines are reshaping launch economics, while national programs sustain strategic propulsion capabilities.

How to find the manufacturer of a specific engine

If you need to identify who built a particular engine, these practical steps help you pinpoint the exact manufacturer and model.

1. Locate the data plate or stamping on the engine block or fan case (aviation): it lists maker, model, and serial number.
2. Use the vehicle’s VIN or equipment serial number: decode via OEM databases or manuals to see engine type and origin.
3. Check certification documents: type certificates (aviation), emissions/OBD labels (automotive), or compliance plates (industrial).
4. Consult service records or parts catalogs: they reference the OEM and any licensed or JV production.
5. Contact an authorized dealer or MRO with the serial number: they can confirm manufacturer and build details.

With these identifiers, you can confidently match an engine to its manufacturer, production site, and compatible service parts.

Summary

Engines are manufactured by a diverse group of companies across aviation (GE Aerospace/CFM, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls‑Royce, Safran), automotive (Toyota, VW, Hyundai, GM, Ford, Stellantis, Honda, BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, Nissan/Renault), heavy‑duty and industrial (Cummins, PACCAR, Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, Traton, John Deere, CNH/FPT, Deutz, Perkins), marine (MAN Energy Solutions, Wärtsilä, Caterpillar/MaK, mtu, Volvo Penta, Yanmar), power generation (GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, Solar Turbines), and space (SpaceX, Blue Origin, L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne, Rocket Lab, Firefly, ArianeGroup, CASC, ISRO, MHI/JAXA). The right answer depends on the sector and specific engine in question.