As soon as thought-about a luxurious function, at the moment a couple of out of each 4 vehicles bought within the native market is provided with a sunroof, up from nearly 7% 5 years in the past. In fashions the place the function is accessible, gross sales are even increased at 55%. Be it premium hatchbacks, sedans or fast-moving sport-utility autos, demand for sunroofs is on the rise in a predominantly tropical nation.
“We’re nonetheless placing our heads round this attraction for sunroofs. India is a sizzling nation for many a part of the yr, why would you demand a sunroof,” an govt at an vehicle firm mentioned, asking to not be named. “Individuals are nonetheless shopping for it as a result of it provides a way of driving a premium automobile,” the chief mentioned.
When Korean automaker Hyundai opened bookings for the all-new Creta earlier this month, it registered greater than 70% of the demand from variants with sunroofs. Ditto, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Hyundai Verna and Tata Altroz – that are reporting 40-95% of their gross sales coming from trims geared up with the function.
In India, the place shoppers are infamous for being extraordinarily price acutely aware, analysis performed by main carmakers have proven patrons are keen to pay ₹50,000-60,000 for a function which has restricted utilization with most components of the nation going through excessive summers.
A number of senior executives ET spoke to mentioned this dramatic shift away from pure practical options whereas shopping for new vehicles displays an increase in aspiration ranges among the many rising inhabitants of younger patrons.”The sunroofs’ reputation is just a little sudden as this function has solely a restricted performance in a largely sizzling and sunny nation like India. However in all probability greater than performance, this function is seen as ‘good to have’ which is in step with the broader development for function wealthy autos,” mentioned Shashank Srivastava, senior govt officer (advertising and marketing and gross sales) on the nation’s prime carmaker Maruti Suzuki. He added that with automobile patrons getting youthful, prosperous and extra aspirational, this development is more likely to proceed within the foreseeable future.Variants with sunroofs at the moment comprise 77% of gross sales of mid-size sedans, 100% of premium sedans, 52% of compact SUVs, 65% of mid-size SUVs and 23% of MPVs.
As a lot as 65% of the Indian inhabitants is aged lower than 35 years. Greater than half of the nation’s 1.4 billion persons are energetic web customers. Each these components collectively have been tilting shoppers in the direction of extra premium feature-rich merchandise, trade watchers mentioned.
Kunal Behl, Vice President (Advertising and marketing & Gross sales) at Honda Vehicles India, agreed. “The desire for these increased variants which we discover as a seamless development throughout our mannequin line-up is influenced by a extra aspirational and youthful demographic the place patrons now prioritise a mix of fashion, premium high quality, and performance.” Greater than 60% of gross sales of Honda Metropolis and 87% of gross sales of SUV Elevate come from trims with sunroofs.
For Hyundai Motor India, the nation’s second-largest carmaker, as a lot as 82.3% of gross sales of its micro-SUV Exter is for variants geared up with a sunroof, mentioned Tarun Garg, chief working officer.
“Automobile costs have elevated. However the common age of our patrons has come down by 5 years to 38 (from 43) within the final 5 years. Customers right this moment need all the things – related options, superior tech, security – and are keen to pay extra for them,” he mentioned.
Gaurav Vangaal, affiliate director (gentle car manufacturing forecast, Indian sub-continent), S&P, International Mobility mentioned, in India, sunroofs and moonroofs are seen as trending ideas by shoppers slightly than being purchased for his or her practicality. The addition of a sunroof, and thereon extra weight on the prime of a car, stand to have an effect on dealing with and structural rigidity.
However there may be nonetheless an elevated inclination in the direction of the function as individuals usually view it as a top-notch function in a automobile, he mentioned.
“That is considerably true as carmakers normally supply sunroofs or moonroofs of their prime variants solely. The sunroof penetration ought to enhance within the Indian markets as Indian shoppers’ urge for food to purchase the most recent applied sciences will increase,” mentioned Vangaal.
Sunroof-fitted variants at the moment contribute 40% of gross sales for Tata Motors’ 5 highest-selling automobile fashions – Punch, Nexon, Harrier, Safari and Altroz. “The sunroof is amongst probably the most fascinating options that clients demand. Whereas the desire for sunroof varies from mannequin to mannequin, its demand in our prime SUVs – Safari and Harrier – is already above 90%. Going ahead, we anticipate this development to develop in different car segments,” mentioned a spokesperson at Tata Motors.
