EXTERIOR CAR ACCESSORIES MARKET ANALYSIS

Exterior Car Accessories Market Size and Trends

Global exterior car accessories market is estimated to be valued at US$ 50.12 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 82.13 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% from 2024 to 2031.

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Changing consumer preferences towards vehicle customization and emphasis on improving vehicle aesthetics can drive the market growth. Increasing expenditure on vehicle customization and need for protective and high-performance accessories can also drive the market growth during the forecast period. Consumer demand and their changing lifestyle along with rising disposable income levels in developing countries offer significant growth opportunities for players operating in the global exterior car accessories market.

Influences of changing fashion trends

The automotive aftermarket industry has witness changes due to rapidly changing fashion and design trends among consumers globally. There has been increasing demand for high-quality and stylish exterior accessories to boost the appearance of the vehicles and keep them aligned with the latest trends. Car owners, particularly from younger demographics, want their vehicles to reflect their personality, tastes and preferences. Nowadays, cars have become an extension of one's lifestyle and social status.

Automakers realize this changing mindset and focus on manufacturing vehicles, which can be customized as per changing consumer needs.  Wide rim wheels, flashy paint jobs, customized decals, neon lighting, spoilers, and others allow consumers to experiment with different looks. Themes inspired from music subcultures like JDM and drifting are quite popular among car enthusiasts globally. Original equipment manufacturers also collaborate with leading fashion and lifestyle brands to launch co-branded accessories. All these trends have boosted the sales of premium and luxury exterior accessories. Growing passion for car modifications among middle class can also drive the market growth.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Rising demand for comfort and convenience

Drivers expect their vehicles to be well-equipped to tackle varying road and climate conditions smoothly. Rising attention to ergonomics and user-experience has boosted demand for multifunctional, technologically advanced accessories. For example, alloy wheels which were once just about appearance now offer advantages like reduced weight, improved handling and fuel efficiency. Similar trends are observed in other areas like car covers, lights, locks, and others. Customers are willing to spend more on premium features that enhance the overall usage context of their vehicles.

Manufacturers actively participate in research and development to come up with solutions addressing real-time problems faced during long hours of traveling. Driving aids like sensors and cameras are becoming common even in affordable vehicles. However, aftermarket ensures availability of similar supplemental technologies for older cars as upgrades.

Key Takeaways from Analyst:

Global exterior car accessories market growth is driven by increasing consumer preference for vehicle personalization and customization. As vehicle ownership rises across developing nations, there will be huge demand for exterior accessories to reflect personal style and interests. However, macroeconomic uncertainties from trade tensions pose a risk and could dampen consumer spending on accessory products in the short-term.

The aftermarket category dominates revenue currently and offers most opportunity, as consumers regularly purchase new accessories throughout ownership to refresh their vehicle's look. Meanwhile, the OEM-fitted accessories segment may witness faster expansion, since automakers now recognize high-profit margins and are cooperating more closely with accessory suppliers early in the vehicle design process.

North America currently leads in market share but growth trajectories favor the Asia Pacific region long-term. Rapid urbanization and expanding middle-classes across populous nations like India and Indonesia creates a huge new customer base that values personalized vehicle expression. Simultaneously, local manufacturing is enhancing product affordability regionally.

While trends point positively overall, marketplace disruption from increasingly connected vehicles and on-demand mobility poses risks. New digital solutions enabling remote customization-on-demand could cannibalize physical product sales over time. Moreover, less car ownership among younger demographics may dampen some demand increases projected based on older models.

Market Challenges: High production cost of premium accessories

The high production cost of premium exterior car accessories can hamper the global exterior car accessories market growth. Manufacturing high-quality premium accessories require advanced technologies and techniques, which involves significant research and development expenditure. Premium materials like aluminum, fine quality plastics and carbon fiber are used in premium accessories, which makes their production costlier compared to regular accessories.

For example, according to the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), the average cost of manufacturing an aluminum alloy wheel ranges between US$ 300 to US$ 700 depending on its size, design and quality, while a regular steel wheel costs around US$ 50-US$ 150. Similarly, premium rear spoilers made of carbon fiber composites require specialized composite manufacturing processes and cost around US$ 500- US$1,000 per unit compared to US$ 100- US$200 for a fiberglass spoiler. The high initial manufacturing outlay incurred in development and production of such premium accessories is passed on to the customers in terms of their higher retail prices.

This makes premium exterior car accessories less affordable for the average car owner and narrows down their target customer base. While many customers prefer high-quality premium styling upgrades for their vehicles, this high price prevents many potential buyers and limits the scale of demand. Thus, manufacturers find it difficult to achieve higher volumes and sales figures needed to leverage economies of scale and recover investments in technology and R&D.

Market Opportunities: Developing aftermarket for used vehicles

Growing market for used vehicles can offer promising opportunity for global exterior car accessories market.  As more drivers look to customize and personalize their pre-owned automobiles, there will be huge demand for aftermarket add-ons and enhancements.

Economic pressures caused by high inflation and interest rates have pushed new cars out of financial reach for many consumers. At the same time, modern vehicles are engineered to last longer with better build quality and reliability. This allows pre-owned automobiles to remain a viable option even with escalating mileage.

Growing do-it-yourself ethic also offer market growth opportunity. Online tutorials and accessories marketplaces have vastly simplified the installation process, empowering car owners to personalize their vehicles independently. From spoilers to window visors to lighting upgrades, a whole range of exterior accessories are now within reach of amateur enthusiasts.

With people holding on to their automobiles for longer periods, aftermarket customization allows drivers to derive continued value and enjoyment from their vehicles throughout the ownership cycle.

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Insights By Product Type - License Plate Segment's Dominance Fueled by the Growing Trend of Self-Expression through Personalization

In terms of product type, license plate frames segment is estimated to contribute the highest market share of 21.3% in 2024, owing to growing trend of personalization and self-expression. License plates provide a unique canvas for car owners to reflect their personality, taste and interests. Custom frames allow freedom to choose designs, colors and styles that suit individual preferences. These have become an affordable fashion accessory to customize the front of vehicles. With rising social media culture, license plate frames offer a subtle way to showcase identity and convey subtle messages to onlookers. Especially among younger people, these satisfy the need for personal branding and fulfill the desire to stand out from the crowd. static plates. License plate frame segment witness growth due to its role in self-expression and identity projection for confidence car owners.

Insights By Vehicle Type- Premium PC Segment's Dominance Driven by High-Net-Worth Individuals' Affinity for Luxury

In terms of vehicle type, premium PC segment is estimated to contribute the highest market share of 38.9% in 2024, reflecting the affluent customer base served. Owners of premium and luxury vehicles have high disposable incomes and like to indulge in premium products and services. These perceive exclusive automobile brands as a symbol of status and success. Therefore, these are increasingly seeking ways to accentuate and personalize the luxury experience. Exterior accessories allow fulfilling the desire to stand out from mainstream traffic. Customized accessories matched to OEM designs ensure consistency with the upscale aesthetic of premium rides. Furthermore, premium buyers appreciate meticulous craftsmanship and precision engineering inherent to top-tier accessories. The affinity for premium also translates to a reluctance to compromise on quality and durability. The segment growth is driven by luxury-minded HNWI seeking additional ways to flaunt affluence and satisfy their penchant for exclusive treatment and cutting-edge tech.

Insights By Distribution Channel- Dominance of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Segment Through Factory-Fitted Customization Synergies

In terms of distribution channel, original equipment manufacturer segment is estimated to contribute the highest market share of 59.1% in 2024 due to synergies between factory integration and customization. Car buyers expect a high degree of personalization straight from the production line instead of retrofitting. Partnering with OEMs provides accessory makers an opportunity to deeply embed their solutions during vehicle assembly. This ensures flawless integration with body contours and operating systems. From the automaker's standpoint, offering factory-customization can open revenue avenues. It also enhances brand perception as a cutting-edge innovator able to deliver bespoke experiences. Furthermore, OEM-bundled accessories simplify procurement for buyers while raising imputed value. The tightly-knit collaboration between automotive and accessory engineers yields the most synergized solutions. Original equipment manufacturers is poised for continued dominance with their unique ability to merger cutting-edge looks with optimized functionality during the production process itself.

Regional Insights

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North America dominates the global exterior car accessories market with an estimated market share of 43.1% in 2024. The region accounts for over 35% of global market share in 2024. This can be attributed to a well-established automotive aftermarket industry in countries like the U.S. and Canada. Consumers in North America are very conscious about customizing and modifying their vehicles with accessories. There is a strong culture of car customization and modifying among North American buyers. This encourages higher per vehicle spend on various exterior accessories such as car covers, body kits, spoilers, sun shades, and others.

Companies like Thule, Lund, Rally, OER, Truck Hero, Covercraft, and Dee Zee have strong manufacturing and distribution networks across U.S. and Canada. This easy availability of wide range of products from major brands at affordable prices can drive the market growth. Furthermore, North American buyers prefer well-known brands and are willing to pay premium for quality products. This benefits established brands and enables sustained spending on exterior accessories over vehicle lifespan.

Asia Pacific has emerged as the fastest growing market for exterior car accessories globally. Rapid motorization and rising disposable incomes drives more vehicle ownership in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines. This leads to increased spending on vehicle customization and personalized upgrades.

Southeast Asian buyers are attracted towards visually appealing and stylish modifications. Exterior accessories provide an affordable way to customize and personalize vehicles on a budget. Lax strict regulations regarding vehicle modifications are encouraging aftermarket spending in the region. Furthermore, growth of e-commerce channels is increasing easy access to global brands.

Market Report Scope

Exterior Car Accessories Industry News

• In November 2022, HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, announced a partnership with Renault SA to supply the Renault Austral compact SUV with new custom-designed, high-performance Harman Kardon premium sound systems in the top trim lines
• In November 2022, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated that develops semiconductors and software for wireless technologies, and Renault Group, a French multinational automobile manufacturer, announced plans to extend their strategic cooperation to co-develop a centralized software-defined vehicle (SDV) platform architecture for Renault's upcoming electric vehicles. As part of the agreement, Qualcomm Technologies will supply its Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions to power digital cockpits, connectivity, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in next-generation Renault EVs. The two companies aim to deliver an open and scalable SDV platform starting in 2026 that leverages Qualcomm's expertise in high-performance, low-power semiconductors and software. This collaboration builds on Renault's existing use of Snapdragon cockpit platforms in its Mégane E-Tech Electric model.
• In October 2022, Hyundai Mobis, a global automobile supplier headquartered in South Korea, announced a collaboration with Luxoft, a global software engineering firm and a subsidiary of DXC Technology, to jointly develop a next-generation in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) platform called the Mobis Infotainment System (MIS). The advanced MIS platform can fully control up to six displays, including a digital cluster, augmented reality heads-up display, center stack display, and three rear passenger displays. Hyundai Mobis and Luxoft showcased the new MIS platform at the International Suppliers Fair hosted by Volkswagen in Germany in October 2022.
• In June 2022, Continental AG, a global technology company specializing in sustainable and connected mobility, invested in Motovis Intelligent Technologies and signed an agreement to jointly develop autonomous mobility solutions, covering vehicle autonomy levels from Level 2 to Level 4.

*Definition: Global Exterior Car Accessories Market includes products that enhance the exterior appearance, protection, lighting, and functionality of vehicles. Some key exterior car accessories are carbon fiber body kits, car spoilers, window visors, exterior mirror covers, alloy wheels, LED light strips, sunroofs, splash guards, mud flaps, bumper protectors, running boards, and license plate frames. Global exterior car accessories market caters to consumers looking to customize and personalize the look of their vehicles. Accessories help improve a car's performance, safety, and style while also protecting its exterior from damage.

Market Segmentation

• Product Type Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • License Plate Frames
  • Body Kits
  • LED Lights
  • Graphics & Reflectors
  • Racks
  • Exhaust Mufflers
  • Alloy Wheels
  • Covers
  • Chrome Accessories
  • Window Films
•  Vehicle Type Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Mid-Size PC
  • Premium PC
  • Compact PC
  • Luxury PC
  • Pickup Trucks
•  Distribution Channel Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Original Equipment Manufacturer
  • Aftermarket
• Regional Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • South Africa
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Car Mate Manufacturing Co Ltd
  • Cie Automotive S.A.
  • Covercraft Industries LLC
  • Faurecia SE
  • Hayashi Telempu Corporation
  • Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
  • Lund International, Inc.
  • Magna International Inc.
  • Mont Blanc Group AB
  • Oakmoore Pty Ltd.
  • Samvardhana Motherson
  • Thule Group
  • Toyodo Gosei Co Ltd.
  • Truck Covers USA LLC
  • Yakima, Inc.