Gabriel Targets Over 60% Localisation In Sunroof Biz, Eyes More Indian OEMs 

Gabriel India plans to increase localisation in its sunroof business to more than 60% over the next couple of years, from around 30% currently, as the auto component maker adds new programmes and expands its customer base.

The company expects local content to rise progressively with each new vehicle programme, Atul Jaggi, Managing Director of Gabriel India, and Group President, ANAND Group, told Autocar Professional.

“In the case of sunroofs, we are currently at around 30% localisation, and the target is to take it to more than 60% in the next couple of years,” Jaggi said. “With every new project coming in, localisation will keep increasing.”

Gabriel manufactures sunroof systems through Inalfa Gabriel Sunroof Systems, its venture with Netherlands-based Inalfa Roof Systems. The business currently supplies two Korean automakers, Hyundai Motor India and Kia India, and is looking to add Indian as well as other global vehicle manufacturers.

“We are currently working with both Korean customers, and the target now is to expand the customer portfolio by working with Indian customers and other customers,” Jaggi said. “We are in advanced discussions with multiple customers.”

In FY26, Gabriel sold close to 170,000 sunroofs. It has secured three new programmes from its existing Korean customers. Five models are under development and are expected to enter production across different quarters in FY27 and FY28, the company’s management had said during its March quarter earning call.

The company is working on concepts and requests for quotations from automakers. However, Jaggi said sunroofs are technology-intensive products with longer development and validation cycles.

“This is a technology product, and it takes time. The development and lead times are higher in this product,” he said.

Annual Capacity Doubled to 400,000 Units

Gabriel has already added a second sunroof production line at its Chennai facility. The new line has an annual capacity of 200,000 units and became operational in FY26.

Together with the original line, which also has capacity for 200,000 units annually, the Chennai facility can now manufacture up to 400,000 sunroofs a year. The initial line was set up to serve Hyundai and Kia, according to Gabriel’s investor presentation.

“In the case of sunroofs, we have already invested in capacity through the second line,” Jaggi said. “The second line is already up and running. We have certain programmes that we are developing for the next three to four years.”

The company made the capacity investment ahead of the expected start of these programmes to ensure that it can meet future customer requirements.

Gabriel’s presentation estimates that two out of every five utility vehicles sold in India now offer a sunroof, with penetration reaching as high as 70% in some models. It expects India’s sunroof industry to grow at a compound annual rate of 16% between FY24 and FY27. 

In FY26, Inalfa Gabriel Sunroof Systems reported revenue of ₹434 crore. EBITDA stood at ₹65.4 crore, translating into a margin of 15.1%. By 2030 Gabriel expects its sunroof business to clock ₹1,000 crore in revenue, according to the presentation.

Sunroofs Opened Gabriel’s Diversification Journey

Gabriel entered the sunroof segment in May 2023 through its partnership with Inalfa Roof Systems. The move marked one of its first major steps beyond its traditional suspension business.

Jaggi said the successful establishment of the sunroof operation gave the group confidence to add more products and position Gabriel as a diversified auto component company.

“The directional shift from Gabriel being a single-product company to having a diversified portfolio started with the sunroof business,” he said.

Gabriel has since expanded into areas such as gas dampers, lubricants, electric-vehicle fluids, speciality fasteners and precision forgings. It is also bringing drivetrain products, adhesives, forgings and automotive fluids under a broader restructuring of ANAND Group’s component businesses.