Who are the major engine manufacturers?

The major engine manufacturers vary by sector: in aviation, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney (RTX), Rolls‑Royce, and Safran/CFM dominate; in autos and heavy-duty vehicles, large automakers like Toyota, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai, Stellantis, and independents such as Cummins lead; in marine and power generation, MAN Energy Solutions, Wärtsilä, Caterpillar (including Perkins), Rolls‑Royce mtu, Cummins, and Volvo Penta are prominent; rail is led by Wabtec (GE) and Progress Rail (EMD); and small engines feature Honda, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki, Kubota, and Yanmar. Below is a sector-by-sector breakdown to put those names into context and show how the landscape is evolving in 2025.

Aerospace: jet, turboprop, and helicopter engines

Commercial and military aviation is highly concentrated, with a small group of primes producing most large turbofans and a wider circle of partners and specialists covering turboprops, business jets, and rotorcraft.

• GE Aerospace (U.S.): Co-leads narrowbody market via CFM International (with Safran); supplies GE90/GE9X, GEnx, CF6, LEAP (via CFM), and military engines like T700/CT7.
• Pratt & Whitney (RTX, U.S.): PW1000G “GTF” family for Airbus A320neo and others; PW4000 legacy; strong in regional/business jets and turboshafts via Pratt & Whitney Canada.
• Rolls‑Royce (U.K.): Widebody leader (Trent 7000/1000/700/900, Trent XWB), business aviation (Pearl, BR700), and military (EJ200 partner).
• Safran Aircraft Engines (France) and CFM International (GE/Safran JV): CFM56 legacy and LEAP series for Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo.
• Pratt & Whitney Canada (Canada): Turboprops (PT6), small turbofans (PW300/500), and helicopter engines (PW200/210).
• Honeywell Aerospace (U.S.): Business jet turbofans (HTF7000), APUs, and TPE331 turboprops.
• MTU Aero Engines (Germany): Risk- and revenue-sharing partner and MRO specialist across multiple programs (e.g., GTF, GE9X), plus military (EJ200 partner).
• Williams International (U.S.): Small turbofans for very light and light business jets (FJ33/FJ44).
• Safran Helicopter Engines (France): Global rotorcraft leader (Arriel, Arrano, Aneto), plus military programs.
• UEC – United Engine Corporation (Russia): Includes Aviadvigatel, Saturn, Klimov; supplies domestic civil and military engines (e.g., PD-14, VK series).
• AECC – Aero Engine Corporation of China (China): State-backed group developing commercial and military engines (e.g., CJ-1000A for C919, various turboshafts).
• Motor Sich/Ivchenko‑Progress (Ukraine): Turboprops and turboshafts for regional aircraft and helicopters.
• IHI, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan): Key partners and subsystem suppliers on international programs.

In large commercial jets, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls‑Royce, and Safran (through CFM) set the pace. Canada’s P&WC and France’s Safran dominate turboprops and helicopter engines, while state-backed Russian and Chinese makers focus on domestic fleets and strategic autonomy.

Automotive and heavy‑duty road engines

Most passenger-vehicle internal combustion engines (ICE) are built by automakers themselves, while the heavy‑duty segment blends in‑house engines with specialized independents; many are transitioning portfolios toward hybrids and alternative fuels.

• Toyota Motor Corporation; Volkswagen Group; Hyundai Motor Group; Stellantis; General Motors; Ford Motor Company; Honda; Nissan; Mercedes‑Benz Group; BMW Group; Geely (incl. Volvo Cars); Renault Group; BYD; SAIC; FAW; GAC; Changan; Great Wall Motor: Major global auto OEMs with extensive ICE and hybrid engine production.
• Cummins (U.S.): Independent global leader in medium/heavy‑duty diesel and natural gas engines for trucks, buses, and equipment.
• Daimler Truck (Germany): In‑house “Detroit” engines for North America; global heavy‑duty portfolio.
• Volvo Group (Sweden) and Scania (Sweden, part of Traton): Heavy‑duty truck and bus engines worldwide.
• PACCAR (U.S./Europe): DAF‑developed PACCAR MX engines for Kenworth/Peterbilt/DAF; also uses Cummins.
• FPT Industrial (Iveco Group, Italy): Engines for commercial vehicles, agriculture, construction, and industrial uses.
• Isuzu and Hino (Japan): Diesel specialists for light/medium trucks and buses.
• JCB Power Systems, Deutz, John Deere Power Systems, Doosan/HD Hyundai Infracore: Engines for off‑highway, agriculture, and construction equipment.

Automotive engine manufacturing remains geographically diversified, with large OEMs dominating passenger cars and independents like Cummins, FPT, and Deutz anchoring heavy‑duty and off‑highway niches.

Marine, large‑bore, and power generation engines

Shipping and stationary power use very large two‑stroke and four‑stroke engines, a field led by a handful of European and Asian firms, with growing emphasis on LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hybridization.

• MAN Energy Solutions (Germany): Market leader in two‑stroke marine designs and four‑stroke engines; extensive licensing network.
• WinGD – Winterthur Gas & Diesel (Switzerland, owned by CSSC): Designs two‑stroke marine engines (ex‑Wärtsilä 2‑stroke), built under license globally.
• Wärtsilä (Finland): Four‑stroke marine engines, hybrid systems, and power plants; major service network.
• Caterpillar (U.S.): MaK marine engines; Perkins brand for industrial gensets; Solar Turbines for gas turbines in power/industry.
• Rolls‑Royce Power Systems (Germany): mtu engines for marine, rail, defense, and power generation.
• Cummins (U.S.): Marine diesels and genset engines across a wide power range.
• Volvo Penta (Sweden): Marine propulsion and industrial power solutions.
• Yanmar, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Japan): Marine and industrial engines, including medium‑speed units.
• Hyundai Heavy Industries – HiMSEN (South Korea): Medium‑speed marine/industrial engines.
• Daihatsu Diesel (Japan) and Scania (Sweden): Marine auxiliaries and smaller propulsion engines.

For oceangoing vessels, MAN ES and WinGD designs dominate the giant two‑stroke segment, while Wärtsilä, Caterpillar, mtu, Cummins, and others cover four‑stroke propulsion and auxiliary power, with rapid development in alternative‑fuel capability.

Rail locomotive engines

Rail traction relies on a small set of prime movers, with regional preferences and emissions tiers shaping engine choice.

• Wabtec (formerly GE Transportation, U.S.): GEVO series for freight and passenger locomotives worldwide.
• Progress Rail (EMD, a Caterpillar company, U.S.): EMD 710/1010 series for North American and international markets.
• Rolls‑Royce Power Systems (mtu, Germany): High‑speed diesels for passenger locomotives and multiple units.
• Cummins (U.S.): High‑speed diesel engines for regional railcars and locomotives.

Freight markets lean on Wabtec and EMD large‑bore platforms, while mtu and Cummins supply many passenger and regional applications.

Small engines and equipment power

Compact gasoline and diesel engines power lawn and garden tools, generators, compact construction gear, and small marine craft, with a few global brands producing at large scale.

• Honda (Japan): Dominant in general‑purpose small engines (GX series) for tools and generators.
• Briggs & Stratton (U.S.): Major supplier for lawn and garden equipment; now owned by KPS Capital Partners.
• Kohler Energy (U.S.): Engines for generators and equipment; energy division now majority‑owned by Platinum Equity.
• Kawasaki Engines (Japan): Commercial‑duty small engines for turf and equipment.
• Kubota (Japan) and Yanmar (Japan): Small/medium diesels for equipment, agriculture, and marine.
• Hatz (Germany): Industrial small diesels; niche in compact equipment.
• Yamaha (Japan): Marine outboards and power products; selective small-engine applications.

Despite growing battery adoption in compact equipment, small ICE makers remain central for high‑duty cycles, remote use, and marine applications.

How the landscape is changing

Engine manufacturing is being reshaped by decarbonization mandates, supply‑chain realignments, and new fuels and technologies. Manufacturers are prioritizing efficiency, lifecycle service, and compatibility with alternative fuels and electrification.

• Alternative fuels: LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and HVO/renewable diesel are expanding in marine, off‑highway, and trucking; SAF is central in aviation.
• Hybridization and electrification: Mild/full hybrids in autos; hybrid‑electric concepts in aviation and marine; batteries complement engines in duty‑cycle peaks.
• Regionalization: China (AECC) and Russia (UEC) are accelerating domestic aero‑engine capability; supply chains are diversifying.
• Service and software: Long‑term service agreements, digital twins, and predictive maintenance now underpin profitability and reliability.

As regulations tighten, leaders are those pairing core combustion expertise with fuel flexibility, advanced materials, and strong aftermarket and software capabilities.

Summary

Major engine makers cluster by sector: GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls‑Royce, and Safran/CFM in aviation; top automakers plus independents like Cummins, FPT, and Deutz on road and off‑highway; MAN ES, WinGD, Wärtsilä, Caterpillar/Perkins, Rolls‑Royce mtu, Cummins, and Volvo Penta at sea and in power; Wabtec and Progress Rail in rail; and Honda, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki, Kubota, and Yanmar in small engines. The field is consolidating around efficiency, alternative fuels, and lifecycle services as decarbonization reshapes demand.

Who is the biggest manufacturer of engines?

The “largest” engine manufacturer depends on the specific criteria, but in terms of sheer numbers, Honda is the world’s largest manufacturer of engines, producing tens of millions annually for vehicles and other equipment. For aircraft engines, CFM International is the largest with the biggest market share. For individual large engines, Wärtsilä produces the Wärtsilä RT-flex96C, the largest and most powerful diesel engine, used in container ships. 
By Volume (Number of Engines): 

• Honda: Honda produces the most engines globally, with nearly 30 million units annually, making it the largest engine manufacturer by volume for a wide range of products, including cars and small engines.

By Market Share (Commercial Aircraft): 

• CFM International: This joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines is the world’s largest commercial aircraft engine manufacturer, holding a significant market share in the industry.

By Engine Size (Most Powerful/Largest Individual Engine): 

• Wärtsilä: The Finnish company Wärtsilä builds the massive RT-flex96C engine, the world’s largest and most powerful diesel engine, capable of powering massive container ships.

By Manufacturing Volume in a Single Factory: 

• Audi (Volkswagen Group): The Audi engine production facility in Gyor, Hungary is reported as the world’s largest engine manufacturing plant, producing a vast number of engines for the Volkswagen Group.

Who are the big three engine manufacturers?

General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler are often referred to as the Big Three, although Chrysler has been surpassed as the third-largest U.S. automaker by Toyota of America.

Who makes engines for Boeing 747?

The 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft, initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, then General Electric CF6 and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for the original variants.

What engines are manufactured in the USA?

Table of Contents

• Chevrolet 350 Small-Block V8.
• Ford 5.0L Coyote V8.
• Chrysler 426 HEMI.
• Dodge Hellcat Supercharged 6.2L V8.
• Buick 3800 V6.
• The American V8 Legacy.