- Webasto will open a third production facility in Haryana to expand sunroof capacity in India.
- Total annual sunroof production capacity in India will reach two million units.
The rapid rise in demand for sunroof-equipped vehicles in India is prompting global suppliers to increase local manufacturing capacity. Webasto is strengthening its footprint through a major Webasto India sunroof manufacturing expansion, responding to the surge in consumer preference for comfort-oriented vehicle features. Sunroofs, once associated mainly with premium models, are now widely available across mass-market passenger cars and SUVs. As automakers expand their product portfolios with enhanced features, the supplier ecosystem is adapting quickly to support growing production volumes and evolving customer expectations in the Indian automotive market.
Webasto Announces Third Production Facility in India
The company has confirmed plans to establish a third manufacturing plant in the Delhi-NCR region. According to Webasto Group CEO Joerg Buchheim, the facility is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026. The new site will be located between Manesar and Kharkhoda in Haryana and is designed to produce approximately 500,000 sunroof units annually. This expansion reflects the strong growth of the sunroof segment in India, which has become one of the fastest-growing markets globally for openable roof systems.
By placing the plant near major automotive manufacturing hubs, the company aims to improve logistics efficiency and reduce delivery lead times. The location allows Webasto to be closer to key automakers operating in the region, enabling faster integration into vehicle production lines and supporting the increasing demand for feature-rich vehicles among Indian consumers.
Strengthening Presence Across India’s Automotive Clusters
Webasto already operates two production facilities in India—one in Pune serving western OEM hubs and another in Chennai supporting southern automotive manufacturing centres. These plants supply sunroof systems to major automakers including Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Hyundai Motor India and Kia India. With the addition of the Haryana facility, the company will establish a presence across all major automotive clusters in the country, improving supply flexibility and production responsiveness.
For example, Mahindra & Mahindra’s latest Born Electric SUVs, the BE 6 and XEV 9e, incorporate Webasto’s Infinity Roof technology. This system integrates optical coupling solutions and LED-based lighting to create customizable interior illumination, enhancing both comfort and cabin aesthetics. Such innovations highlight how sunroof systems are evolving from simple ventilation components into advanced design and user-experience features.
Production Capacity Expansion Timeline
The upcoming facility will significantly increase the company’s manufacturing capability in India. Once operational, the combined output of all three plants will reach approximately two million sunroof units annually, exceeding earlier projections that expected this milestone to be achieved by 2027.
| Facility Location | Region Served | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pune | Western India | Supply to regional passenger vehicle manufacturers |
| Chennai | Southern India | Support OEM production hubs in the south |
| Manesar–Kharkhoda (Haryana) | Northern India | New facility with 500,000 unit annual capacity |
Rising Sunroof Adoption in Passenger Vehicles
Over the past five years, sunroofs have moved from being exclusive premium features to becoming common across high-volume vehicle segments. Indian consumers increasingly view sunroofs as indicators of modern design, comfort and enhanced driving experience. This shift in buyer preferences has encouraged automakers to include sunroofs even in mid-range models, making them an important factor influencing purchase decisions.
The growing penetration of sunroof technology aligns with broader trends in vehicle feature upgrades across India’s passenger car market. Suppliers are therefore expanding local production capacity to meet automaker requirements while reducing dependency on imports. Through investments exceeding €110 million since 2019 and additional plans reaching €174 million by 2030, Webasto is reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Indian market. The company’s leadership views India as a critical contributor to future mobility innovation and a key driver of global growth.
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