More fresh air and light are the crucial ‘wellness’ factors consumers will take into account when considering their next car, say manufacturers. Matthew Beecham reports on how larger glass roof openings and retractable hard tops are set for meteoric growth.
“Our research has shown that more and more customers are interested in roofs they can open,” said Franz-Josef Kortum, chairman of Webasto AG. “The days when many people thought air conditioning could replace the sunroof are long gone. Today they recognise that the two products complement each other perfectly and, as market researchers say, increase ‘multi-sensual awareness’. The more of the roof area that can be opened, the more comfort and enjoyment. In the US, where we know air conditioning comes as standard in cars, sunroofs are booming and panorama roofs are beginning to follow suit.”
Go deeper with GlobalData
Full-glass sliding roofs that let the sunshine in for all occupants are becoming popular. “We are seeing an unbelievable amount of interest in large sunroofs,” said Brett Healy, vice president of sales, marketing and strategic planning for Webasto Roof Systems. By 2010, 40% of all new cars fitted with a sunroof worldwide will feature a large open-air design. That’s up from just 2% last year.
Best of both worlds
The market for retractable hard tops is also on the crest of a wave. Edscha predicts that the total convertible market in Europe — including soft tops, one-piece hard tops and retractable hard tops — will almost double over the next four ears. Horst Leitner, Edscha’s head of convertible roof systems, said: “The greatest growth will occur in the retractable hard top market. We see some 350,000 units produced in 2008, up from 150,000 last year.” Leitner also sees the North American market as blossoming over the next few years. “By 2008, we predict a more than three-fold increase in retractable hard top production, from 20,000 units last year to 70,000.”
The German supplier is already well positioned in North America through a joint venture with ASC Inc, operating from a plant in Greer near Spartanburg, and a new facility in Toluca, Mexico
ASC Inc (formerly known as American Sunroof Company and recently redefined as American Specialty Cars) also predicts a booming market for retractable hard tops in North America. “More and more Americans are falling in love with retractable hardtops,” said Paul Wilbur, CEO of ASC Inc. “While rag tops have the associated disadvantages of wind noise, extreme cabin temperatures and basic security, retractable hardtops offer the best of both worlds. At the push of a button, you get the entire open-air experience. It used to be only the luxury models that offered such roof systems but we’re now seeing cars in the £10,000 range offering retractable hardtops. That’s very exciting.”
Roof modules set to ‘revolutionise’ car assembly
Roof module assembly is finally gaining momentum, too. ArvinMeritor defines the roof module as a complete system, extending from the roof liner to the outer skin. The company believes that the use of roof modules is set to revolutionise car assembly techniques. This development will allow the integration of associated parts, such as grab handles, sunvisors, ventilation systems, interior lighting and antennae into a one-piece roof module. Last December, ArvinMeritor — along with its customer, DaimlerChrysler, and supplier, GE Plastics Automotive — won the 2003 Grand Award by the Society of Plastics Engineering for its roof module for the Smart roadster.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataIn terms of the roof module’s appearance, one of the major challenges is colour matching the roof to the body, in particular metallic paints. “That is certainly a major issue,” said Eric Roeren, general manager of ArvinMeritor’s LVS roof systems in America. “We should be able to colour match by 2005. We are working with GE on that specifically.”
Although interest in roof modules is largely confined to Europe and North America, interest from Asia is emerging. “We are currently talking to the Japanese and Koreans about roof modules. There is one customer in Japan who is interested in it,” added Roeren.
Endless possibilities
Looking beyond the fortunes of large sunroofs and retractable hardtops, Healy envisages endless possibilities for roofs that snap on and off the same vehicle to meet the lifestyle demands of the consumer, such as a summer roof fitted at the dealership or a storage package roof for trips. He said: “We could see a system where the body structure of the vehicle can handle a variety of drop-in roof modules that include various features for types of open-air. And if we get really crazy, we might even get to the point where a customer rents different types of roof system depending on their lifestyle.”
As more fresh air and light while on the move become the next ‘must have’ factors, it’s hardly surprising to find carmakers offering ever more novel ways to satisfy those needs. While the conventional sunroof will remain popular, consumers are looking for that elusive wow factor in the show room. It’s also interesting to see that vehicle makers are gradually taking the idea of one-piece roof modules seriously, and it seems only a matter of time before they are in widespread use.
|
