Automotive Fabric Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2024 - 2030)

Automotive Fabric Market Size

Automotive Fabric Market Trends & Drivers

Innovations in Automotive Fabrics Are Biggest Trend in Market

• As consumer awareness of the environment is growing, the demand for sustainable fabrics made from recycled plastic, waste plastics found in the ocean, and natural fibers is increasing. Moreover, many consumers are now seeking vegan leather, such as synthetic leather, which gives the look and feel of the natural alternative. However, as natural leather is much more durable, manufacturers are working hard to enhance the durability of the synthetic variant.
• Consumers are now demanding aesthetically pleasing interiors and those that do not negatively impact vehicles’ fuel economy. Hence, automakers are seeking lightweight, strong, and durable fabrics to meet these requirements.
• Many manufacturers of luxury and mid-range cars are now installing ventilated seats, of which passengers can adjust the temperature. These features require breathable and air-ventilated fabrics, which should also be easy to clean.
• Most luxury car brands, such as Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, and Ferrari, still use genuine leather as it is attractive and elegant. To fulfill car companies' demands, automotive fabric makers are coming up with new patterns, designs, looks, and colors.
• As governments are implementing strict road safety laws, companies are seeking fire-resistant fabrics, high-quality textiles for seat belts, and enhanced airbag materials.

Increasing Demand for Comfort & Luxury in Vehicles Is Key Growth Factor

• The demand for fabrics is increasing among automakers because of the growing population and its rising demand for comfort, safety, and aesthetics in the car interiors. Plush fabrics, whether used in seats or headliners, play a crucial role in creating an inviting space for passengers.
• These fabrics are not just limited to hatchbacks and sedans but also used in SUVs, jeeps, motorcycles, buses, and trucks. Each vehicle has a unique requirement, which encourages the market players to innovate the interior upholstery.
• The growing demand for luxury cars and customizations is driving the market, as consumers now have more to spend on expensive stuff. As a result, automakers are using a wider variety of fabrics with different color combinations, designs, textures, technologies, and much more. Synthetic leather, natural leather, plastics, and composites are among the most-popular choices of fabrics used in vehicles.

Growing Trucking and Public Transportation Industries Are Major Drivers for Market

• A Key driver for the market is the growing trucking industry because of the increasing need for transporting freight. Truck drivers need comfort on long trips, which is why better seats, fabrics, and overall comfortable interiors are being fabrics integrated into these vehicles.
• For traveling to work, school, college, or the nearest town, or for a long road trip, people are using buses. This trend is creating the need for more-comfortable, reliable, and durable fabrics for seat covers and door panels, for safety in long road trips.
• Drivers of commercial vehicles demand comfort because they spend long hours on the road, which is both mentally and physically straining. Moreover, due to the heavy use, there is a demand for wear-resistant fabrics in vehicles.
• Additionally, as many drivers sleep in their vehicles, stain-resistant and easy-clean textiles are also gaining popularity.

Automotive Fabric Industry Outlook

Vehicle Type Insights

• Passenger vehicles are the dominating category in the automotive fabric market, with a share of 70% in 2024. This is due to the growing population and its surging demand for luxury, comfort, and safety. Moreover, with their growing disposable income, people have started to look for more-luxurious sedans, SUVs, vans, and other categories of cars.
• A large amount of a wide variety of fabric is used in passenger vehicles. To fulfill the growing demand for an inviting environment in cars, textile firms are offering new and colorful fabrics for vehicle interiors.

Below are the major vehicle types covered in this market report:

• Passenger Vehicles (Larger and Fastest-Growing Category)
  • Sedans
  • Hatchbacks
  • Station wagons
  • SUVs
  • Minivans
  • Pickup trucks
• Commercial Vehicles
  • Trucks
  • Vans
  • Buses

Application insight

• Carpet/floor covers hold a largest market share by value, due to their larger surface area, which demands more amount of textile. Generally, people buy carpets made from PVC and other plastics to protect the car floor from getting dirty or prevent staining. These materials are popular due to their easy-to-clean property and resistance to stain or moisture from fabric floor mats.
• Upholstery is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period, because of its extensive usage in interiors. Upholstery, made from cotton, linen, wool, hemp, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, and rayon, is vital for seats. Moreover, since the seat upholstery or entire seats are often replaced after some time, this category dominates the market.
• The airbag category is growing significantly due to the category strictness of road safety regulations. Airbag manufacturers are looking for more-reliable, strong, and tear- and fire-resistant material for airbags.
• Safety belts will also witness a significant CAGR in the market, as they are not just limited to cars but also increasingly being used in trucks and buses. For safety purposes, the belts must prevent passengers from falling over to the front. Further, the fabric used should be strong, durable, and fire-resistant.

Below are the major applications in which automotive fabric plays an important role:

• Airbags
• Safety Belts
• Carpets/Floor Covering (Largest Category)
• Upholstery (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Pre-Assembled Interior Components
• Door Panels & Trims

Material Insights

• Polyester holds the largest share of 40%in 2024 because most of the car seat fabric is made from this polymer. It is used to create the fabric for a variety of automotive interior parts. Additionally, due to its versatility, it can be woven with different fabrics to achieve the desired thickness and texture, and it is also cheap and durable.
• Nylon holds a significant share as it is available in many designs and colors and popular due to its easy-to-clean and lightweight properties.
• The leather category will witness the highest CAGR, of 5.5%, in the market. This is due to the luxurious look and feel of this material. Moreover, it gives an aesthetic look to premium luxury and sports cars. Further, synthetic leather is easily available at reasonable costs, and it looks exactly like the genuine material.

Below are the major materials studied in the automotive fabric market:

• Polyester (Largest Category)
• Nylon
• Leather (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Plastics
• Composites

APAC Holds Largest Share in Market

• APAC is the largest and fastest-growing region in the market, with a 2024 share of 45% and an expected CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. The rising demand for electric vehicles provides the market players with the opportunity to augment their supply of fabrics.
• The growing middle class, rising car sales, and strengthening focus on comfort, safety, and sustainability in China and India will contribute to the market’s expansion in the coming years.
• The government is pushing automotive fabric makers to use synthetic leather and vegan products, which are animal-cruelty-free and environment-friendly.
• The Latin American market is growing with the rising automobile sales in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina and the fact that Mexico is a major source of automotive imports for the U.S. The growth in the income of the middle-class lead drives consumers’ affordability for advanced features and comfortable car interiors, thus driving the demand for better-quality fabric.
• The automotive sector in the MEA is now experiencing steady growth due to the rising disposable income and higher demand for vehicles. The demand for luxurious and premium vehicles in the U.A.E. promotes the usage of high-quality automotive fabrics with unique textures.
• Governments in MEA countries are pressuring market players to create flame-resistant textiles and those that improve the quality of airbags.

The countries and regions analyzed in this report include:

• Asia-Pacific (APAC) (Largest and Fastest-Growing Regional Market)
  • China (Largest Country Market)
  • India (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • South Korea
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of APAC
• Europe
  • Germany (Largest Country Market)
  • U.K. (Fastest-Growing Market)
  • Frane
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• North America
  • U.S. (Larger and Faster Country Market)
  • Canada
• Latin America (LATAM)
  • Brazil (Largest and Fastest Growing Country Market)
  • Mexico
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
  • U.A.E. (Fastest Growing Country Market)
  • Saudi Arabia (Largest Country Market)
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Automotive Fabric Market Share

The automotive fabric market is fragmented, which gives it complexity and dynamism. A large number of companies are competing to deliver cost-efficient products that should also be durable, long-lasting, comfortable, and luxurious. Companies are trying to distinguish themselves by innovating textiles for different automotive interior parts and applications. Manufacturers are also keeping in mind the rising demand of customers for eco-friendly and sustainable material, smart fabric, and vegan textiles. To accommodate these evolving customer demands, players in the market are tying up with each other and spending increasingly on R&D.

Automotive Fabric Industry News

• In March 2024, Toyota Boshoku Corporation accepted investment from AUNDE Achter & Ebels for strengthening its seat fabric business.
• In November 2023, Sage Automotive Interior announced a USD 10.45-million investment in its Sharon Plant in Abbeville County, South Carolina.
• In November 2023, Sage announced its partnership with NFW, which produces plastic-free and plant-based leather alternatives for car interiors.
• In October 2022, Lear Corporation launched automotive fabrics made from 100% recycled plastic bottles for interiors.
• In July 2023, the collaboration between Antolin and Renault developed a technology for the door panel visual application of chemical foaming.