17 Jan
2025
Automotive sunroofs have become a dynamic feature in today’s vehicles. It provides a unique combination of practicality, comfort, and luxury. These aesthetic additions offer passengers a natural light and open-air driving experience. A sunroof is an automobile’s roof panel that enables light and cool natural air to enter.
A growing preference toward vehicles with sunroofs, rise in disposable income, and surge in consumer demand for comfort and luxury features contribute to the growth of the automotive sunroof market. In addition, increasing global sales of passenger cars are fueling the expansion of the industry.
Material science behind the automotive sunroof manufacturing
Integrating durable and lightweight sunroof materials like polycarbonates has gained prominence due to its enhanced ventilation abilities and cost-effectiveness. Sunroof glass producers apply various technological advancements to manufacture different types of glass, such as tempered, laminated, and green glass, which protect against ultraviolet rays. A vehicle with a sunroof experiences better air circulation compared to one without a sunroof.
Additionally, sunroofs with glazing technology reduce noise and enhance thermal comfort in summer. For example, Tesla took the fixed glass roof concept further with an 'all-glass roof' in the Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, allowing for an even better view of the surroundings with the glass stretching out further than the rear pillar.
In addition, premium OEMs are focusing on R&D for introducing sunroofs with solar technologies in their cars to enhance the efficiency of EVs. Thus, such technological advancements & innovations in glass technology primarily influence the automotive sunroof industry.
Recent innovations have also aimed to improve the energy efficiency of sunroof glass. Manufacturers have now included tinting and coating technologies in many cars that reduce the absorption of solar heat gain and UV radiation. This increases comfort to passengers but decreases the burden on the climate control system of a vehicle and eventually saves energy in its overall operation.
Emergence of solar sunroofs
The automotive industry is moving toward sustainability, especially with the growing adoption of transparent solar sunroofs. These innovative sunroofs feature integrated solar cells that capture sunlight to produce electricity. This is beneficial for EVs, allowing auxiliary systems to operate without increasing the vehicle's overall energy consumption. Thus, there is a huge demand for eco-friendly solutions, which is expected to give rise to the adoption of solar technology in automotive sunroofs.
Solar sunroofs in the form of pop-up, in-built, tilt-and-slide, and top-mount styles are installed on the car roof. The glass-made solar sunroofs are embedded with photovoltaic solar cells. The increasing demand for EVs worldwide in developed and developing countries is the main driving force behind the adoption of solar sunroof systems within the EV segment. For instance, Panasonic built a 180-watt solar roof for the Japanese market of the Toyota Prius Prime. It should be able to generate sufficient energy to support 3–6 km of driving per day.
Minda Corporation signed an alliance with HSIN Chong Machinery Works
In June 2024, the flagship company of Spark Minda, Minda Corporation, entered a joint venture agreement with a prominent global manufacturer of automotive closure systems and sunroofs, HSIN Chong Machinery Works (HCMF). The joint venture aims to deliver advanced technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing of closure system and sunroof products for passenger cars by localizing production in India, the company stated.
To conclude, automotive sunroof provides a unique combination of practicality, comfort, and luxury to passengers. Top automakers are integrating advanced and cost-effective materials like polycarbonates to enhance ventilation. Manufacturers are also integrating tinting and coating technologies in many cars that reduce the absorption of solar heat gain and UV radiation.
Koyel Ghosh
Authors Bio- Koyel Ghosh is a blogger with a strong passion and enjoys writing in miscellaneous domains, as she believes it lets her explore a wide variety of niches. She has an innate interest in creativity and enjoys experimenting with different writing styles. A writer who never stops imagining, she has been serving the corporate industry for the last five years.
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