A recent story by the Wall Street Journal, highlights the growing popularity in glass roof panels on new vehicles. According to a poll by Harris Interactive, 40 per cent of car buyers in the U.S. said their next vehicle would feature a sunroof. This represents a fourfold increase in demand for the option since 1990.
In particular, there has been a growing trend in what are known as panoramic moonroofs, which in some cases cover almost the entire roof area of the vehicle. These can either be fixed panels or retractable units, made from a single pane or multiple panels of glass. Many feature built-in retractable sunshades, while others, such as Mercedes-Benz’s “Magic Sky Control” allow the driver to adjust the amount of sun penetration by lightening or darkening the glass at the touch of a button.
Besides consumer demand, the trend in large, see-through roof panels has been driven by falling costs in the price of glass and also manufacturing techniques. According to Steve Kosowski, manager of long-range strategy and planning at Kia Motors America, large, glass sunroofs are “one of the most profitable features in the industry.” However, he also said that automakers face challenges when it comes to incorporating them, since that because there is more weight higher up on the vehicle, such roofs must be “engineered to meet stricter safety standards.”
Although the concept of large glass panels has raised safety and engineering concerns, with some automakers, such as Audi recalling vehicles due to risks of potential cracking of roof panels in extreme cold temperatures, it looks as if the trend is set to continue, with consumers willing to pay a premium in order to get that panoramic sensation.
For dealers, the growing popularity of glass roofs also represents an opportunity to boost profits on new vehicle sales, since particularly in the U.S., industry analysts say that that sunroofs are among a growing list of options that consumers are adding to new vehicle purchases. This in part, is being driven by affordable monthly payments on new vehicles, made possible due to the availability of extended terms for auto finance contracts.
