The global vehicle exterior door handle market size was valued at $5.8 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $9.4 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2032.
Key Highlighters:
- The report covers segments such as type, material, distribution channel, and vehicle class. The report is studied across different regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
- The study integrates high-quality data, professional opinions and analysis, and critical independent perspectives. The research approach is intended to provide a balanced view of global markets and to assist stakeholders in making educated decisions in order to achieve their most ambitious growth objectives.
- Over 3,700 product literatures, annual reports, industry statements, and other comparable materials from major industry participants were reviewed to gain a better understanding of the market.
A vehicle exterior door handle is located on the outside of a vehicle's door to provide access to the vehicle. Vehicle exterior door handles are manufactured using materials such as metal, plastic, or a combination of materials. Modern exterior door handles may incorporate advanced technologies, such as electronic sensors or touch-sensitive surfaces, for enhanced functionality and aesthetics.
Factors such as surge in the production of vehicles, increase in the demand for vehicle aesthetics & design, and rise in the integration of smart access & keyless entry systems drive the growth of the vehicle exterior door handle market. However, high costs due to integration of technological solutions and stringent safety and regulatory standards hinder the growth of the market. Furthermore, the development of biometric & gesture recognition technologies and the rise in the demand for lightweight materials & sustainable solutions offer remarkable growth opportunities for the players that operate in the vehicle exterior door handle market.
The vehicle exterior door handle industry is segmented on the basis of type, material, distribution channel, vehicle class, and region. By type, it is categorized into pull up handle, pull out handle, flush door handle, and others. By material, it is fragmented into aluminum, plastic, stainless steel, and others. By distribution channel, it is bifurcated into OEM and aftermarket. By vehicle class, it is divided into sedan, hatchback, SUV, and others. By region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
Europe comprises France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K, and the rest of Europe. The automobile market in Europe is currently experiencing significant growth owing to the rise in popularity of electric vehicles. Greater demand for premium and luxury vehicles also leads to increased need for high-quality components and advanced features. For instance, the design of the new EQS electric sedan from Mercedes-Benz launched in 2021, showcased seamless integration of its various elements, creating a cohesive and elegant appearance. The vehicle features flush-fitting door handles with smooth surfaces and minimal visible joints, giving it a sleek and streamlined look. Sophisticated door handles with premium finishes are among the essential elements preferred in luxury vehicles, driving the market for premium vehicle exterior door handles in the region.
Moreover, automakers collaborate with vehicle exterior door handle manufacturers for the development, production, and integration of high-quality door handles that meet the specific requirements of the vehicles. For instance, in February 2022, BMW partnered with Huf, a leading provider of access technologies, to supply flush door handles for its new flagship, the BMW iX. The driver easily opens the door by reaching into an illuminated recessed grip on the door handle and by lightly tapping the soft-touch surface. The door handle is fixed and seamlessly integrated into the car body, providing a smooth and effortless access experience for the driver. Such partnerships and collaborations result in the development of high-quality, innovative, and visually appealing vehicle exterior door handles, which is expected to propel the growth of the market.
The rise in the integration of smart access and keyless entry systems is a significant driver for the vehicle exterior door handle market expansion. As technology continues to advance, automakers incorporate smart features into their vehicles to enhance convenience, security, and user experience. Smart access and keyless entry systems have become increasingly popular among consumers, leading to their widespread adoption in modern vehicles. Manufacturers focus on creating smart access and keyless entry systems to eliminate the need for traditional physical keys and allow vehicle owners to access and start their cars using proximity-based technologies.
Huf, a manufacturer of door handles and latches, provides extension to the vehicle door handles with a combination of passive entry systems. Moreover, MinebeaMitsumi, a manufacturer of electronic components provides vehicle exterior door handles with sensor technology. With the integration of MinebeaMitsumi's sensor technology, the door handles have become more intuitive and responsive. Gently pulling the door handle activates the sensor, triggering an electrical unlocking mechanism for the latch. This feature ensures that users access the vehicle with minimal effort, adding to the convenience and comfort of using the car.
The technological trends in pull-out door handles for vehicles are focused on enhancing user convenience, safety, and vehicle aesthetics. Pull-out door handles are now being integrated with advanced smart keyless entry systems, which utilize proximity sensors to identify the presence of the vehicle key fob or a smartphone equipped with keyless entry capabilities. Several door handles are designed to be customized, incorporating mechanical locking cylinders and advanced electronic components for touch recognition and sensor-based passive entry systems. Some pull-out door handles are equipped with integrated lighting features. The handles may have built-in LED lighting that provides visibility during low-light conditions or adds to the vehicle's aesthetics when illuminated.
Some door handles are equipped with emergency release mechanisms that enable manual operation in case of a power failure or other emergency situations. Manufacturers have incorporated aerodynamic design principles into pull-out door handles to reduce drag and enhance vehicle efficiency. In addition, manufacturers design pull-out door handles that feature touch-sensitive surfaces and provide a tactile and responsive user experience.
The Phone as a Key system is a technological trend in flush-type door handles that enhances the user experience and convenience of accessing the vehicle. With the Phone as a Key system, the car's passive entry system recognizes the car key (or the driver's smartphone acting as the key) as soon as the driver approaches the vehicle. When the driver is within proximity, the door handle receives a short push command from the phone, triggering the deployment of the handle. This eliminates the need for a physical key and provides a keyless entry experience.
Manufacturers integrate flush car door handles with phone as a key system to provide a seamless and hands-free approach to unlocking the vehicle. For instance, Huf, a door handle manufacturer, provides parallel deployable door handle integrated into the streamlined car body automatically that deploys when the driver approaches, similar to a classic door handle. Moreover, the door handle system is equipped with Phone as a Key technology to enhance the overall driver experience. Such technological developments drive the growth of flush-type door handle solutions in modern vehicles.
The leading companies profiled in the vehicle exterior door handle industry report include ALPHA Corporation, Magna International, Inc., ITW (Illinois Tool Works), Aisin Corporation, Motherson, Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG, Sakae Riken Kogyo Co.,Ltd, MinebeaMitsumi, Inc., Witte Automotive, ADAC Automotive, Marquardt Management SE, and Kiekert AG. The companies have adopted strategies such as product development, product launch, acquisition, expansion, and others to improve their market positioning and increase vehicle exterior door handle market share.
Surge in the production of vehicles
The production of vehicles across the globe has increased significantly owing to the rise in global population & urbanization, economic growth & rise in disposable income, industrialization, and infrastructure development. Moreover, governments in various countries have implemented policies and incentives to promote the automotive industry and encourage electric vehicle production. As the production of vehicles increases, there is a higher demand for door handles. Each vehicle requires multiple door handles for its doors and other access points. The surge in the number of vehicles being manufactured contributes to the growth of the vehicle exterior door handle market.
Increase in demand for vehicle aesthetics and design
The vehicle exterior door handle market growth is being driven significantly by the surge in demand for vehicle aesthetics and design in the automotive industry. Consumers place a strong emphasis on the visual appeal and overall design of vehicles, prompting automakers to prioritize creating vehicles that perform well and make a strong style statement. Vehicle door handles are essential components that shape the overall aesthetics and design of a car.
Moreover, both automakers and consumers are increasingly seeking door handle solutions that elevate the vehicle's overall look and seamlessly blend with its design language. In response to the rise in demand for vehicle aesthetics and design, automakers invest in R&D to create door handle solutions that enhance the overall look and appeal of their vehicles.
High cost due to technological integration
High cost is a significant restraint to the vehicle exterior door handle market growth. The cost of producing and implementing door handle solutions impacts various stakeholders, including automakers and suppliers. The integration of advanced technologies, such as smart access systems, keyless entry, and touch-sensitive surfaces, adds complexity to the door handle design. Implementing these technologies requires specialized components and sensor systems, leading to increased manufacturing costs.
Automakers are increasingly utilizing premium materials for door handles to enhance aesthetics and durability. High-quality materials, such as chrome finishes, aluminum, or composites, are more expensive than traditional materials, contributing to the overall cost of the door handle modules. In addition, customization options and unique design features add to the high cost. Customization and design complexity may increase production costs, especially for limited edition models or higher-end vehicles. Therefore, the high cost is expected to hamper the growth of the vehicle exterior door handle market during the forecast period.
Recent Developments:
In February 2022, Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG developed flush door handles to be equipped in BMW iX. It is integrated with a flexible antenna for Near Field Communication (NFC) and other technologies to enable seamless passive entry.
In January 2023, MinebeaMitsumi, Inc. acquired all shares of Honda Lock Mfg. Co., Ltd. and changed the name to Minebea AccessSolutions Inc. The acquisition aims to focus on core businesses which include access products for automobiles.
Key Benefits For Stakeholders
- This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the vehicle exterior door handle market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing vehicle exterior door handle market opportunities.
- The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
- Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
- In-depth analysis of the vehicle exterior door handle market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
- Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
- Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
- The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global vehicle exterior door handle market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.
Vehicle Exterior Door Handle Market Report Highlights
| Aspects | Details |
 Market Size By 2032 | USD 9.4 billion |
 Growth Rate | CAGR of 5.1% |
 Forecast period | 2022 - 2032 |
 Report Pages | 327 |
 By Type |
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 By Material |
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 By Distribution Channel |
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 By Vehicle Class |
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 By Region |
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 Key Market Players | AISIN CORPORATION, ADAC Automotive, WITTE Automotive, ITW, Magna International, Inc., Motherson Group, Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG, Marquardt Management SE, Kiekert AG, Sakae Riken Kogyo Co.,Ltd., MinebeaMitsumi, Inc., ALPHA Corporation |
The leading companies profiled in the market include ALPHA Corporation, Magna International, Inc., ITW (Illinois Tool Works), Aisin Corporation, Motherson, Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG, Sakae Riken Kogyo Co.,Ltd, MinebeaMitsumi, Inc., Witte Automotive, and ADAC Automotive.
The global vehicle exterior door handle market was valued at $5.8 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $9.4 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2032.
The largest regional market for vehicle exterior door handles is Asia-Pacific.
The leading type of vehicle exterior door handle is pull out handle.
The upcoming trends in the vehicle exterior door handle market include rise in the integration of smart access and keyless entry systems, and incease in the demand for lightweight materials and sustainable solutions.
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