Automotive Liftgate Market- Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition, Opportunity and Forecast, Segmented By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Light Commercial Vehicle), By Type (Manual, Automatic), By Material Type (Metal and Composite) and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.94 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.45%
Fastest Growing Segment	Automatic
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.41 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Liftgate Market will grow from USD 3.94 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.41 Billion by 2031 at a 8.45% CAGR. The Global Automotive Liftgate Market encompasses the engineering and supply of rear access panels that are hinged at the roofline and open upward, serving as the primary cargo entry point for SUVs, crossovers, and hatchbacks. The expansion of this sector is fundamentally driven by the sustained structural shift in consumer preference toward utility vehicles, which universally require this configuration over traditional trunk lids. Additionally, the electrification of automotive platforms supports market value growth, as manufacturers increasingly standardize powered actuation systems to accommodate the heavier materials and aerodynamic requirements of electric vehicle designs.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the rising cost complexity associated with integrating electronic control units and anti-pinch sensors necessary for automated operations. These cost barriers can limit the inclusion of powered liftgate systems in entry-level segments, thereby restricting revenue potential in price-sensitive regions. Highlighting the prevalence of the body styles driving this demand, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, in the fiscal year ending 2025, utility vehicles accounted for 65% of total domestic passenger vehicle sales. This metric underscores the critical reliance of modern automotive volume on architectures that utilize liftgate hardware.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in global demand for SUVs and crossovers is the primary structural driver propelling the Global Automotive Liftgate Market. Unlike traditional sedans that utilize simple trunk lids, utility vehicles necessitate large, top-hinged liftgates to provide access to their expanded cargo areas. This shift in body style preference forces manufacturers to integrate complex hinge and strut mechanisms across a wider range of their product portfolios, directly increasing the volume of liftgate hardware required per vehicle produced. The sustained popularity of these architectures in major automotive regions ensures that liftgate systems remain a standard requirement rather than an optional feature. Highlighting the dominance of this segment, according to Kelley Blue Book, March 2025, the compact SUV category alone accounted for 18% of all new vehicle sales in the United States in February 2025, underscoring the segment's critical role in sustaining component demand.

Simultaneously, the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating market value by standardizing advanced powered actuation systems. Automakers are increasingly equipping EVs with power liftgates to compensate for heavier tailgate materials and to align with the premium positioning of electrified models. Furthermore, the push for aerodynamic efficiency in EVs encourages the use of flush-fitting, automated rear panels that reduce drag, thereby necessitating higher-value electronic integration. This electrification trend is substantially reshaping the industry's volume dynamics; according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), April 2025, global electric car sales exceeded 17 million units in 2024. To provide broader context on the total addressable volume for these components, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reported in March 2025 that global car sales reached a total of 74.6 million units in 2024.

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Key Market Challenges

The financial burden of integrating electronic control units and anti-pinch sensors constitutes a substantial impediment to the Global Automotive Liftgate Market. As manufacturers attempt to automate rear access panels, the necessity for these safety-critical components increases the bill of materials significantly. This cost escalation makes it economically unviable to equip entry-level and budget-friendly vehicle segments with powered liftgate systems. Consequently, the technology remains largely confined to premium trim levels, preventing widespread standardization across affordable fleet architectures and limiting the total addressable market for suppliers.

These elevated input costs directly correlate with stagnant adoption rates in price-sensitive regions where consumers cannot absorb higher vehicle prices. The resulting pressure on manufacturing margins forces automakers to limit production volumes or reduce feature content to maintain profitability. Highlighting the severity of these manufacturing constraints, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, in 2024, regional passenger car production declined by 6.2% primarily driven by elevated manufacturing costs and inflationary pressures. This data point underscores how high component expenses contribute to broader production slowdowns, thereby hindering the volume expansion necessary for the liftgate market to reach its full revenue potential.

Key Market Trends

Automakers are increasingly transitioning from traditional steel rear panels to lightweight thermoplastic and composite materials to enhance fuel efficiency and extend electric vehicle range. This shift allows manufacturers to integrate complex aerodynamic features, such as spoilers and lighting, directly into the liftgate assembly, which is difficult to achieve with stamped metal. The structural adoption of these advanced exterior systems is evident in supplier performance relative to general vehicle production, as demand for complex modules remains resilient. According to OPmobility, October 2024, in the 'Strong revenue growth in Q3 2024' press release, the company reported that its revenue outperformed the global automotive production market by 9.5 percentage points, driven largely by high order volumes for its exterior and module divisions.

Simultaneously, the integration of hands-free and motion-sensing technologies is transforming the user experience by enabling touchless cargo access. While early iterations relied on inconsistent foot-kick sensors, the market is evolving toward sophisticated proximity-based systems that utilize smartphone connectivity to detect the driver's approach. This technology eliminates the need for physical gestures, significantly improving convenience for users carrying heavy loads. Highlighting this advancement, according to Tesla, May 2024, in the 'Spring Software Update 2024.14.3' release notes, the manufacturer introduced a hands-free trunk feature for specific models that automatically actuates the liftgate solely by detecting the stationary presence of an authorized phone key behind the vehicle.

Segmental Insights

The Automatic segment emerges as the fastest growing category within the Global Automotive Liftgate Market, driven principally by the surging global demand for Sport Utility Vehicles. As manufacturers produce larger vehicles with heavier tailgate structures, manual operation becomes less practical, necessitating powered solutions for user ease. Additionally, the integration of hands-free operation and pinch-protection sensors addresses consumer requirements for convenience and safety. This growth is further sustained as automotive OEMs increasingly standardize power liftgate features across mid-range models, moving beyond their previous exclusivity to the luxury vehicle sector.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific commands a dominant position in the Global Automotive Liftgate Market, driven primarily by its extensive automotive manufacturing infrastructure and high vehicle production volumes. Major economies such as China and India are witnessing a substantial shift in consumer preference toward Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and crossovers, which necessitates the widespread integration of liftgate systems. Furthermore, the region's aggressive transition toward electric mobility, supported by government mandates regarding vehicle emissions and electrification, accelerates the adoption of lightweight and power-operated liftgates. This market leadership is sustained by rising disposable incomes and a strong local supply chain catering to premium vehicle features.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Magna International announced a substantial investment of $200 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Greenville County, South Carolina. The expansion included the establishment of a new facility in Piedmont dedicated to producing automotive body components and systems for cars and light trucks. This strategic move was designed to support the growing production needs of original equipment manufacturers in the region, further solidifying the company's position in the body and chassis market. The new operations were expected to enhance the supplier's capacity to deliver high-quality exterior assemblies, including complex tailgate systems, to its customers.
• In August 2024, Strattec Security Corporation reported financial results highlighting a growth in net sales driven by increased content of its latch and power access products on a major truck platform. The company emphasized the commercial success of its power tailgate technologies, which contributed to an 8.2% increase in overall revenues for the fiscal quarter. This performance underscored the rising demand for automated access solutions in the light truck market and demonstrated the company's capability to secure new product programs with key automotive manufacturers, positioning it for continued growth in the global vehicle access control sector.
• In May 2024, OPmobility (formerly Plastic Omnium) revealed its "Smart Tailgate 2024," a new product that was subsequently honored with the German Innovation Award. This advanced system integrated rear lighting and sophisticated exterior body design into a single unit, utilizing up to 50% recycled materials to address sustainability goals. The tailgate also featured debondable glue technology, which facilitated easier disassembly and recycling at the end of the vehicle's life. This launch highlighted the company's strategic focus on combining intelligent functionality with eco-friendly manufacturing to meet the evolving requirements of the Global Automotive Liftgate Market for lighter and more sustainable components.
• In April 2024, Brose commenced the series production of a power tailgate system specifically designed for pickup trucks in the North American market. The newly developed system comprised a robust drive, a control unit, and two latches with power cinching capabilities, all manufactured in-house. Designed to withstand rugged environments, the system offered superior water and dust resistance, making it suitable for the demanding conditions often encountered by utility vehicles. This development marked a significant expansion of the company's product portfolio into the high-volume truck segment, bringing the convenience of automated liftgates to a broader range of vehicle types.

Key Market Players

• Faurecia SE
• Magna International Inc.
• Plastic Omnium SE
• Huf Hulsbeck & First GmbH & Co.KG
• Continental AG
• STMicroelectronics N.V.
• Autoease Technology
• Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG
• Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.
• Stabilus SE
• Johnson Electric Holdings Limited

By Vehicle Type	By Type	By Material Type	By Region
Passenger Car Light Commercial Vehicle	Manual Automatic	Metal and Composite	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Automotive Liftgate Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Automotive Liftgate Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Car
• Light Commercial Vehicle

• Automotive Liftgate Market, By Type:

• Manual
• Automatic

• Automotive Liftgate Market, By Material Type:

• Metal and Composite

• Automotive Liftgate Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE