Exterior Car Accessories Market Analysis

Exterior car accessories comprise products related to those automotive parts that enhance the look of an automobile. Increased growth in the automobile market has strengthened the demand for exterior car accessories. During the forecast period, the exterior car accessories market is expected to grow due to an increase in demand for vehicle customization. Besides, the inclination of customers towards a superior performance experience while driving is anticipated to create more demand for exterior car accessories in the next few years. The robust growth of the automotive sector in the developing countries, such as Russia, China, and India, is anticipated to further increase the growth of the exterior car accessories market during the forecast period. For instance, the automobile industry is shifting from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles; this shift will increase the demand for exterior car accessories that are compatible with electric vehicles, such as electric vehicle stickers, home chargers, and others. Furthermore, increasing demand for customised vehicles among the young population can present lucrative growth opportunities for the exterior car accessories market. Vehicle owners in the range of 18 to 30 are inclined towards spending money on car accessories such as alloy wheels, high-power LED lights, different-coloured LED lights, and others. Thus, increasing demand for customised vehicles among the young population can present lucrative growth opportunities for the exterior car accessories market. According to the research report "Global Exterior Car Accessories Market Research Report, 2031," published by Actual Market Research, the Global Exterior Car Accessories market was valued at more than USD 260.69 Billion in 2025, and expected to reach a market size of more than USD 399.76 Billion by 2031 with the CAGR of 7.58% from 2026-2031. In developed markets, there is also a growing automotive aftermarket e-retail industry, which is expected to drive the exterior car accessories market over the forecast period.

Other factors expected to drive the growth of the global exterior car accessories market include a growing consumer preference for an enjoyable driving experience, rising demand for fast-moving car accessories, and increasing vehicle customization among a young population. In addition, the rising focus of major manufacturers on the research and development of smart exterior car accessories and technologically advanced sensors that enable protection as well as enhance the performance of the vehicle is another key factor projected to further fuel market growth over the next 10 years. The leading share of market growth is anticipated to be driven by the strong demand for automotive exterior accessories from Europe, followed by Asia-Pacific and East Asia. Spending on automotive exterior accessories, increasing automotive fleets, and E-commerce expansion in fast-developing economies like India and Russia would all have a significant impact on demand for automotive exterior accessories. When it comes to South America, the Middle East, and Africa, the car exterior accessories category is still emerging as these regions have lower automotive sales compared to other regions. In terms of countries, the United States leads the market in 2022, while China ranks second in the same year in the global market for exterior car accessories..

Market Dynamic

Exterior Car AccessoriesSegmentation

The aftermarket segment leads the global exterior car accessories industry because it offers wider product variety, affordability, easy availability, and frequent replacement options, making it the preferred choice for most vehicle owners worldwide.

The dominance of the “Others” category—which includes crash guards, side beading, window door visors, license plate frames, exterior covers, side mirror covers, roof racks, bike racks, tow hooks, and similar protective or utility-based accessories—stems from its exceptionally broad scope and universal relevance in the global exterior car accessories market. Unlike premium or style-specific accessories, this segment comprises practical products that appeal to every vehicle owner—two-wheelers, passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and even commercial fleets—making the category inherently larger in volume and frequency of purchase. These accessories serve essential functional purposes such as preventing scratches, improving safety, shielding the vehicle from weather elements, enhancing durability, and supporting luggage management, which makes them indispensable across developed and developing automotive markets. Crash guards and side beading reduce repair costs by protecting vehicle bodies in congested urban areas where minor collisions are common, while door visors improve ventilation and comfort in tropical and humid regions, increasing their adoption in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. Exterior covers and mirror covers are widely used as cost-effective protective solutions for vehicles parked outdoors, particularly in markets with limited garage infrastructure. License plate frames and protective trims are also inexpensive, widely available, and easily customizable products that encourage impulse purchases and frequent replacements. Additionally, roof racks, luggage carriers, and bike racks are seeing rising demand driven by the global growth of road trips, adventure tourism, and recreational activities.

SUV/MUV vehicles lead the global exterior car accessories industry because their larger size, outdoor usage patterns, and rising global demand create a significantly higher need for protective, functional, and customization-oriented exterior accessories.

SUVs and MUVs dominate the global exterior car accessories industry because they are inherently built for versatility, outdoor performance, and multi-purpose use, which naturally increases the demand for a wide range of external add-on products. As global consumer preferences shift toward bigger, safer, and more powerful vehicles, SUVs and MUVs have become the fastest-growing automotive segments in markets such as Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Their larger body size offers more surface area and more accessory-compatible zones, resulting in greater demand for items like roof racks, side steps, crash guards, mud flaps, bumper protectors, door visors, and body cladding. These vehicles are also frequently used for long-distance travel, off-roading, rural mobility, and family transportation, which increases the need for utility-based exterior accessories to improve safety, storage capacity, and durability. Consumers who buy SUVs and MUVs typically prioritize ruggedness and personalization, driving strong aftermarket sales of aesthetic upgrades such as chrome trims, alloy wheel enhancements, spoilers, and protective films. Additionally, these vehicles often face harsher usage conditions—dust, rain, harsh sunlight, uneven terrains—which makes owners more inclined to invest in protective accessories like full-body covers, paint protection films, and side mirror guards to reduce maintenance costs. Rising adventure tourism, camping culture, and weekend travel trends globally have also boosted the popularity of accessories like roof boxes, luggage carriers, bike racks, tow hooks, and high-intensity LED bars, which are typically compatible with SUVs/MUVs but not smaller cars.

The aftermarket segment leads the global exterior car accessories industry because it offers wider product variety, affordability, easy availability, and frequent replacement options, making it the preferred choice for most vehicle owners worldwide.

The aftermarket distribution channel dominates the global exterior car accessories industry because it provides consumers with unmatched flexibility, accessibility, and cost-efficiency, making it the most convenient and practical option for upgrading or maintaining vehicle exteriors. Unlike OEM channels, which offer limited, brand-specific accessories at premium prices, the aftermarket ecosystem includes thousands of manufacturers, retailers, online sellers, and service workshops that collectively supply a vast assortment of accessories such as body protectors, racks, visors, mud flaps, trims, chrome elements, covers, lighting add-ons, and decorative elements. This expansive variety allows consumers to choose products that suit their budget, style preference, and functional needs without the constraints of brand exclusivity. Additionally, exterior accessories tend to have high replacement rates due to wear, damage, climate exposure, and evolving consumer tastes, making the aftermarket the ideal channel for frequent and low-cost purchases. The aftermarket is also highly localized, with accessory shops and automotive markets present in almost every city and town worldwide, ensuring easy access even in developing or rural regions where OEM dealerships are limited. E-commerce platforms have further strengthened aftermarket dominance by offering doorstep delivery, discounts, wide catalogues, and compatibility filters that simplify the buying process. In emerging markets like India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico, price sensitivity drives consumers toward aftermarket alternatives that offer similar functionality at a fraction of OEM prices. Moreover, the rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) installation and widespread availability of installation services at independent garages make aftermarket purchases even more attractive.

Exterior Car Accessories Market Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific leads the global exterior car accessories industry because of its massive vehicle population, rapidly expanding automotive markets, strong aftermarket ecosystem, and high consumer inclination toward customization and vehicle protection.

Asia-Pacific dominates the global exterior car accessories industry primarily due to its unparalleled scale in vehicle ownership, manufacturing strength, and active consumer participation in the automotive aftermarket. The region includes some of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea which collectively account for a significant share of global vehicle production and sales. This enormous base of new and used vehicles naturally creates consistent, high-volume demand for exterior accessories such as body protectors, visors, roof racks, chrome trims, wraps, mud flaps, and mirror covers. Rapid urbanization and expansion of middle-class populations have led to rising car ownership, particularly SUVs, MUVs, and compact cars, which are highly accessorized in markets like India and Southeast Asia. Asia-Pacific consumers show a strong preference for personalization, style enhancement, and practical add-ons that protect vehicles from scratches, weather damage, pollution, and congested traffic environments, driving strong aftermarket growth. The region also benefits from low-cost manufacturing capabilities, with China and India acting as global hubs for automotive accessory production, offering affordable, diverse, and readily available products that boost domestic consumption and exports. Additionally, the climate diversity across Asia-Pacific from heavy monsoons to intense heat encourages the use of accessories like rain visors, protective films, and exterior covers to extend vehicle life. The aftermarket ecosystem in the region is extremely well-developed, with dense networks of automotive markets, independent garages, accessory shops, and e-commerce platforms that make exterior upgrades highly accessible. Cultural trends such as frequent vehicle customization, participation in car clubs, and the popularity of road trips and off-road travel also increase the demand for utility-based accessories including roof rails, carriers, and bumper guards.