The demand for sunroof-equipped cars and SUVs in India has led manufacturers such as Webasto to expand production capacity in the country.

Currently, nearly 150 passenger vehicle models in India are offered with a sunroof. Webasto, a manufacturer of openable roof systems, has announced plans to establish a third production facility in India.

The new plant, located in the Delhi-NCR region, is scheduled to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, stated Joerg Buchheim, CEO of the Webasto Group, during a recent visit to India.

Over the past five years, the adoption of sunroofs in vehicles in India has increased, with demand rising steadily. The increase in passenger vehicles equipped with sunroofs reflects a shift in consumer preference towards comfort and convenience features.

Previously limited to top-end variants of luxury vehicles, sunroofs are now available in the mass market and are offered as standard in several high-selling models. They have become a factor influencing purchase decisions.

Production footprint positioned closer to automakers in India

Webasto India's new facility, located between Manesar and Kharkhoda in Haryana, will primarily supply customers in this region. The plant is planned to have an annual production capacity of approximately 500,000 sunroofs and is located closer to major automakers in the area, including Maruti Suzuki.

In February 2025, Maruti Suzuki India commenced operations at its Kharkhoda plant, which manufactures the Brezza compact SUV and has an initial production capacity of 250,000 units.

Webasto India's existing manufacturing facilities, located in Pune (west) and Chennai (south), supply OEMs in the region, including Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Hyundai Motor India, and Kia India. Mahindra & Mahindra's Born Electric SUVs, the BE 6 and XEV 9e, are equipped with Webasto's 'Infinity Roof'. For the integrated lighting feature in these vehicles, Webasto uses optical coupling technologies alongside LEDs to provide a customisable lighting environment. This system adjusts to different conditions and user preferences.

Once the third facility becomes operational, Webasto India's total sunroof production capacity will reach two million units per annum, compared to the company's earlier projection of achieving this level by CY2027.

The Kharkhoda plant will result in Webasto having a presence across major automotive clusters in India and is intended to support proximity to customers, operational flexibility, and localised production.

"With our presence in a third automotive cluster, we are able to support customers with greater speed, enabling the delivery of solutions tailored to India's diverse market and the creation of meaningful employment opportunities nationwide," stated Vikas Prasad, President of Webasto India.

"Our investment in a third Indian location underscores the role this market plays in Webasto's global operations. India is a driving force for the mobility of the future," noted Webasto Group CEO Joerg Buchheim in an official press release. Since 2019, Webasto has invested more than EUR 110 million (US$ 126.39 million) in the expansion of its Indian business, with a total investment of EUR 174 million planned by 2030.