The power liftgate is a backdoor mechanism via which the vehicle's driver opens and closes the liftgate/tailgate with the click of a key on the dashboard or a handheld remote. Anti-trap and height memory functions, among other features, are now available with automotive power liftgates. The power liftgate is a hands-free device that can also be controlled remotely.
COVID-19 has greatly impacted the automotive sector, thus resulting in a decrease in vehicle sales and production. Manufacturers faced several challenges, such as decreased manufacturing due to non-operational factories, which slowed the industry's expansion. However, the sector started to recover in the fourth quarter of 2020, and it is expected to witness positive growth trend during the forecast period.
Commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle are the bifurcations of the vehicle type segment. Of these, the commercial vehicle category is expected to witness the faster growth during the forecast period. This can be mainly ascribed to the growing sales of long-haul trucks globally. Moreover, the integration of advanced liftgate systems by key commercial vehicle manufacturers is expected to benefit the power liftgate market.
The market is categorized into conventional power liftgate and hands-free power liftgate, based on system type. Of these, the hands-free power liftgate market is expected to show the faster growth in the forecast period. Conventional power liftgates need some human effort, whereas hands-free variants need no effort. Thus, the increasing demand for efficient and automated liftgates in vehicles is propelling the market growth.
Geographically, Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising disposable income and living standards of its middle-class, which are driving car sales. Other than these factors, the need to increase customer comfort and convenience, rising sales of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, and surging integration of electronic devices, components, and sensors in automobiles are set to contribute toward the growth of the power liftgate market in the region.
Players in the power liftgate market are launching new products to offer consumers higher convenience and gain more revenue. For instance,
In March 2020, Tesla Inc. announced the installation of a power liftgate for disabled Model 3 buyers to increase access to trunks and frunks. Ford has made similar changes to its 2020 Escape SEL platform, while Toyota has made these changes to its 2021 Sienna model for U.S. customers.
Some of the major players operating in the global power liftgate market are Continental AG, Tesla Inc., Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG, Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd., HI-LEX Corporation, VOXX Electronics Corp., Powder-Packer Corp., Autoease Technology, Strattec Security Corporation, Stabilus GmbH, Mitsuba Corporation, Magna International, and HUF Group.