Passenger Cars Liftgate Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Passenger Cars Liftgate Market is projected to expand from USD 2.56 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.83 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.94% during this period. Defined as the rear closure mechanism that hinges upward to access the cargo area, the liftgate is distinct from traditional trunk lids and is benefiting significantly from the global automotive transition toward crossovers and sport utility vehicles. This market growth is further accelerated by increasing consumer demand for convenience, which is driving the standardization of power-operated and hands-free opening technologies in modern vehicle manufacturing.

However, a substantial hurdle impeding broader market expansion is the volatility of supply chains for electronic components, which escalates the manufacturing costs of advanced power liftgate systems. Highlighting the dominance of vehicle architectures that rely on these components, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers reported that in the fiscal year 2024-25, utility vehicles comprised 65 percent of total passenger vehicle sales within the Indian market.

Market Drivers

The increasing global preference for SUVs and crossovers serves as the primary catalyst for liftgate demand, as these vehicle types universally necessitate vertical rear-opening mechanisms to optimize cargo access. This structural requirement forces original equipment manufacturers to prioritize liftgate supply chains over conventional trunk lids, ensuring component procurement aligns with the consumer shift toward utility-focused bodies. Underscoring the dominance of this configuration even amid the shift to new energy platforms, the International Energy Agency's 'Global EV Outlook 2024', released in April 2024, noted that over 55% of electric car models available worldwide in 2023 were SUVs.

Concurrently, the rising penetration of electric and hybrid vehicles is redefining manufacturing standards for liftgates, specifically driving the need for weight reduction and aerodynamic improvements. To counterbalance heavy battery packs, manufacturers are increasingly substituting steel with thermoplastic or composite materials, which improves range and efficiency while supporting advanced automation. Highlighting this trend, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association's 'Economic and Market Report' from February 2024 stated that battery electric vehicles achieved a 14.6 percent market share in the European Union in 2023. Additionally, the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers reported in 2024 that global passenger car production increased to roughly 65 million units in the previous year, reflecting the industrial recovery bolstering these component orders.

Market Challenges

A major obstacle inhibiting the expansion of the global passenger car liftgate market is the instability of supply chains for essential electronic components. Contemporary hands-free and power-operated liftgate systems depend heavily on intricate electronic assemblies, such as electric motors, control units, and sensors, to ensure reliable operation. When the availability of these critical semiconductors and parts becomes erratic, manufacturers encounter steep procurement costs and severe production delays, which inevitably raises the final price of vehicles featuring advanced closure systems and may force automakers to restrict power liftgates to premium models.

The resulting financial pressure on the supply base severely hampers the market's capacity for growth. Elevated operational expenses and uncertainty regarding component availability compel suppliers to focus on immediate survival rather than investing in capacity expansion or technological innovation. Demonstrating the gravity of this situation, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) reported in November 2024 that 60 percent of automotive suppliers anticipated a decline in revenues over the following twelve months due to persistent cost challenges and uncertainty. This reduction in supplier revenue and confidence restricts the investment necessary to stabilize supply chains, ultimately slowing the widespread adoption of automated liftgate systems.

Market Trends

The user interface of passenger car liftgates is undergoing a fundamental transformation through the integration of digital keys and smartphone applications, moving beyond the reliance on physical key fobs. This shift is fueled by the need for fleet management capabilities and seamless connectivity, enabling users to digitally lock, unlock, and share access credentials across various mobile operating systems. The standardization of technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ensures security and interoperability, as evidenced by the Car Connectivity Consortium's January 2025 report, 'Car Connectivity Consortium Continues to Drive Innovation in Vehicle Connectivity', which noted the organization exceeded 300 members and certified its first two digital key products.

In parallel, the adoption of gesture-controlled and hands-free opening systems is advancing through the use of high-precision radar technology, addressing the reliability limitations of earlier capacitive sensors. Manufacturers are increasingly implementing 79 GHz radar sensors to provide superior detection accuracy, capable of distinguishing between intentional kick gestures and environmental interference like passing animals or heavy rain. This technological evolution was highlighted by Huf Group in a May 2025 press release titled 'Huf wins first order for kick sensor with 79 GHz radar', announcing the company's first series production order for a 79 GHz radar-based kick sensor from a European premium car manufacturer.

Key Players Profiled in the Passenger Cars Liftgate Market

• Magna International
• Stabilus GmbH
• Continental AG
• Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG
• Huf HUlsbeck & FUrst GmbH & Co.
• Strattec Security Corporation
• Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd.
• HI-LEX Corporation
• VOXX Electronics Corp
• Power-Packer Corp

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Passenger Cars Liftgate Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Passenger Cars Liftgate Market, by Type:

• Manual
• Automatic

Passenger Cars Liftgate Market, by Material Type:

• Metal
• Composite

Passenger Cars Liftgate Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Passenger Cars Liftgate Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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