Who makes carburetors?
Carburetors are made by a handful of global specialty manufacturers across automotive, motorcycle, marine, and small-engine markets. The leading names today include Holley (USA), Weber (Italy), Mikuni and Keihin (Japan), and Walbro, Zama, and Tillotson for small engines.
In the modern market, most new cars rely on electronic fuel injection, but carburetors remain essential for classic vehicles, performance builds, certain marine engines, and a wide range of lawn and garden tools. This article outlines the main players across segments and what they’re known for.
Major carburetor manufacturers today
Below is a look at the principal manufacturers you’re likely to encounter, spanning automotive performance, motorcycles, and small engines. The list is not exhaustive, but it covers the brands with the widest visibility and global reach.
- Holley Performance Products (USA) — A leading supplier of aftermarket automotive carburetors, famous for the Holley 4150/4160 families and a strong presence in hot-rodding and marine markets. The brand also oversees performance lines such as Demon and, through acquisitions, parts from Edelbrock.
- Weber S.p.A. (Italy) — Renowned for European-style carburetors used on classic and modern performance cars, with a long history in both aftermarket and original equipment.
- Mikuni Corporation (Japan) — A dominant force in motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and marine engines, with a broad aftermarket footprint and specialized high-performance units.
- Keihin Corporation (Japan) — Major OEM supplier and aftermarket provider for motorcycles, scooters, and power equipment, widely used on Japanese-brand motorcycles and other engines.
- Walbro (USA) / small-engine carburetors — A long-standing name in carburetors for lawn and garden tools, snow blowers, and other power equipment, frequently supplied to OEMs and replacement markets.
- Zama Corporation (Japan) — A leading producer of carburetors for lawn and garden equipment, chainsaws, and portable tools, with a strong presence in the consumer- and professional-grade segments.
- Tillotson (USA) — Known for small-engine carburetors used in recreational and light-industrial equipment, including go-karts and other performance applications.
In addition to these brands, historical names such as Rochester, Carter, and Bing still appear in vintage restorations and some classic OEM configurations, underscoring carburetors’ long lineage in the automotive industry.
Industry context and trends
Automotive vs. small-engine markets
Automotive carburetors today are largely concentrated in the aftermarket, classic-car restoration, and performance sectors, while modern mass-market cars primarily use fuel injection. By contrast, small-engine carburetors dominate lawn-and-garden equipment, chainsaws, and portable tools, where brands like Walbro, Zama, and Tillotson maintain a steady share.
Market dynamics and modernization
The overall trend in the broader engine market is a shift toward fuel-injection and electronic controls, driven by emissions and efficiency standards. However, carburetors persist where cost, simplicity, or vintage appeal matter—especially in off-road racing, marine applications, and widespread consumer tools. Global brands continue to compete on reliability, tuning capability, and support networks, even as EFI encroaches on some segments.
Summary
Carburetors are produced by a small set of global specialists whose portfolios span automotive performance, motorcycles, and small engines. Key players today include Holley, Weber, Mikuni, Keihin, Walbro, Zama, and Tillotson, with historical brands still visible in older vehicles and restorations. Despite a broader shift toward fuel injection in new vehicles, carburetors remain a vital technology for specific applications, hobbyists, and certain engine types around the world.
