Automotive Boot Release Cable Market Size - By Material, By Vehicle, By Propulsion, By Sales Channel, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Automotive Boot Release Cable Market Size

The automotive boot release cable market was valued at USD 478.1 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% between 2025 and 2034. The growing emphasis on vehicle security & access systems and the rising vehicle production globally are propelling the market growth.
 

The increasing concern regarding vehicle security and access systems alongside the growth in the number of vehicles produced globally is having a positive effect on the automotive boot release cable market. The most recent consumers expect much more sophisticated functionality than just a mechanical means of operating the trunk, simpler boot access features like remote mechanical dial operation. Hence, automakers incorporate boot release cable systems with electronic and sensor technology.

To illustrate, premium car makers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have added features that facilitate effortless boot access by foot gestures - the boot can be opened with a foot wave just beneath the bumper. Other smart operations depend on intricate cable assemblages, which connote machinery alongside electronic control systems. Hyundai and Toyota do similar things in trunk access, enabling these via mobile app and underpinned by responsive and strong systems that unify mechanical and electrical functions of boot release cables.
 

The development of electric and hybrid vehicles is additionally driving the need for light weight and high-performance power cables with efficient design and power usage. Manufacturers are now using high-tensile, corrosion-resistant materials to improve cable durability and ensure performance across various environments and conditions. With increased attention towards smart access systems as well as electric vehicle integration, automotive boot release cables are evolving from basic mechanical components into fundamental elements of a vehicle's smart entry system, designed for intelligent interaction and access.
 

Automotive Boot Release Cable Market Trends

• In the U.S., consumers’ preference for convenient vehicle access has led to an adoption of electronic boot release systems across all sedans, SUVs, and even electric cars by OEMs. They often come in conjunction with remote keyless entry systems and apps. Fleet operators and mobility service providers also need robust and reasonably secure cable systems due to their requirements for high usage and low downtime, especially in shared and autonomous fleets.
   
• Smart truck access systems that meet tight safety and environmental standards are pioneered by European manufacturers. Under the Euro NCAP and EU Green Deal policies, companies such as BMW and Stellantis have started incorporating Hands-Free Motorized Boot Supports along with adaptive trunk security systems using recyclable, low-emission materials to fulfill sustainability commitments.
   
• Japanese auto manufacturers like Toyota and Nissan focus on ultra-lightweight, compact cable systems design for their Kei cars and urban EVs. These space efficient boot release cables allow for automated locking, push-button release, and access control integration with central vehicle systems. Demand is linked to the increasing popularity of mini-EVs in the country’s dense urban areas.
   
• The smart city mobility hubs reluctantly emphasize the South Korean manufacturers’ Kia and Hyundai’s innovations that interface with AI, such as the multi-mode boot release cables with keyless mobile systems, requiring them to be fine-tuned for swift reflex responses and weatherproofing. Electrified platforms are the new standards. The hypertrophy of AI biometrics triggers an entirely new demand for responsive trunk/boot opening systems.
   
• The surging adoption trends of hybrid mechanical-electrical trunk release systems in models catering to the Indian commercial and passenger vehicle markets are astonishing. As ODMs cater to mass-market models, the driving forces are affordability. Markedly lower local operational conditions such as high temperature and humidity coupled with seismic road vibrations require extreme resilience.
   
• Chery and BYD are integrating the modular boot release cable assemblies for the trunk of EVs aimed at exports to certain countries with more lenient regulatory frameworks. Cables will be compatible with advanced vehicle access systems and provide harnesses for manual and electrical controls. Explosively growing markets for dual mode vehicles, partnered with fierce urban mobility infrastructure development, accelerate tender trunk access innovation.
   

Trump Administration Tariff

• If the United States literally manufactured and produced “automotive boot release cables”, this would result in the highest levels of production costs for the U.S. due to tariffs on metal alloy, copper conductor, and precision cable sheathing imported from East Asia and Europe. Such regions construct and technologically develop with intricacy mechanical and electronic boot cables. Hence, OEMs would likely incur greater component costs, which may threaten the mass or simplified production of trunk mechanisms in more inexpensive vehicles.
   
• With the increase in tariffs placed on specialized cable extrusion and assembly equipment imports from Germany, Japan, and South Korea, U.S. cable manufacturers will experience greater capital expenditure. Domestic shifts in expenditure might result, for example, from the purchase of advanced automated systems for cable assemblies incorporating motorized liftgates, smart gesture activation, or sensor-actuated doors for boots with cable control access.
   
• The modification of these components or sub-assemblies affects tariff relevancy, JIT methodologies WCS for automative remuneration, and impact the schedules and orchestration of inventory management region. Reliant JIT OEMs might cause uneconomic production slowdowns, particularly in the volume boot release vehicle segment where these cables are pre-installed as standard features.
   
• The export demand particularly from emerging markets which are price sensitive, may suffer because of retaliatory trade policies imposed by countries that import U.S. boot release cables or completed cars. It is possible that if foreign buyers perceive U.S. made parts to be costly on account of the international political relations, they will prefer European or Chinese cable manufacturers which in turn strengthens the position of boot release cable manufacturers in the United States.
   

Automotive Boot Release Cable Market Analysis

Based on material, the market is divided into steel, aluminium, plastic, and others. In 2024, the steel segment dominated the market accounting for around 61.7% share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% during 2025 to 2034.
 

• In terms of the automotive boot release cable industry, steel has become its mainstream material due to its tensile strength, cost efficiency, and resistance to deformation. Its mechanical properties allow steel to withstand the stresses of repeated trunk operations, ensuring a lasting service life due to the varying loads and temperatures associated with both passenger and commercial vehicles.
   
• Steel boot release cables are critical for preserving mechanical reliability in electric and hybrid commercial vehicles, especially in highly demanding environments with frequent automated rear access. These cables work with electric motors and locking systems and provide a durable, low-wear interface that withstands high operational frequencies and strenuous payload cycles.
   
• Like other global OEM peers, Toyota and Ford as well as Hyundai are placing steel trunk release mechanisms on numerous vehicle platforms, as they are deemed to achieve the requirements of sustained lifecycle durability, safety, and maintenance. The use of steel cables is beneficial in vehicles offering remote access to the boot trunk, keyless entry, or mobile app-release due to the need for reliable performance throughout the lifecycle.
   
• The reason for preferring steel goes back to how well it works with advanced coating and insulation methods. This enables the manufacturing personnel to increase the corrosion protection and attenuation and lessen the noise/vibration for OEM lifecycle testing. Such measures sustain longitudinal structural integrity in wet and cold off-road conditions, which is important for light commercial fleet vehicles and passenger SUVs.
   
• Steel has, by far, both a better cost-value ratio, stiffness when compared to substitutes like aluminum and polymer composites and as a more structured solution for worldwide automotive platforms. In addition, the formability frigates complex routing of wires through narrow trunk interiors without restriction to mechanical efficiency, pull force, or even responsiveness.
   
• Trunk smart access and gesture-controlled entry system are becoming more prevalent. These evolutionary advances reinforce the argument that steel type cables are the most useful for hybrid designs for boot release, which offer OEMs a solid foundation while trunk access systems improve. Whilst leading the market for boot release cables, the shift towards connected and electrified mobility sets new trends for steel and shows steel’s fortification as the preferred material.
   

Based on sales channel, the automotive boot release cable market is segmented into OEM, and aftermarket. In 2024, the OEM segment dominates the market with 82.9% revenue share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4.9% from 2025 to 2034.
 

• OEMs remain the key players in the automotive boot releasable cable market due to the linkage of trunk access systems to the vehicle’s design and assembly line. Still, all automobile manufacturers now use boot release cables as standard fittings for economy, mid-range, and luxury vehicles to improve security, accessibility, and system integration.
   
• Toyota, Volkswagen, and General Motors OEMs are now shifting to more sophisticated trunk operation systems that integrate mechanical cables with electronic actuation, as well as smart access. These systems have embedded cables to ensure compatibility with power liftgates, smart keyless entry, and gesture-controlled trunk opening.
   
• Adoption of safety and anti-theft regulations such as emergency trunk release and child safety features, in North America and Europe have made trunk fitted boot release cables a regulatory requirement, particularly for passenger cars and SUVs. This strengthens the position of the OEM segment as the principal distribution channel for sophisticated boot cables systems.
   
• The production volume of passenger vehicles is notably higher than that of commercial vehicles, and since the installation of boot release cables is a prerequisite in most configurations of a vehicle's body, their incorporation at the OEM stage allows for cost savings, uniformity, and scalability in the supply chain. Contracts with cable suppliers or manufacturers usually have OEMs locking them in to undertake bulk production with rigorous quality assurance and control and specific design requirements. 
   
• As is the case with other vehicle types, the expansion of electric and hybrid variants in the passenger vehicle category is driving OEMs to incorporate corrosion resistant, lightweight boot cables that facilitate trunk opening and closing functions as well as energy and space-efficient designs. Cables of this nature are now offered with powered trunks that permit remote application interface and biometric unlock functions. 
   
• The shift towards mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) and fleet operating models for passenger vehicles has prompted OEMs to develop rugged long life boot release cables designed for intensive use. Integrated at the assembly stage to ensure shift from privately to commercially owned vehicles like electric taxis, car-shared vehicles, or ride-hail are functionally fit for operational endurance use easily meets OEMs' sales dominance expectation with boot cable market leadership.
   

Based on vehicle, the automotive boot release cable market is segmented into passenger cars, and commercial vehicles. Passenger cars segment is expected to dominate as the shift towards electric and automated vehicles necessitates specialized boot release mechanisms compatible with electronic systems.
 

• The hybrid branch of mechanical and electronic release systems is found in SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks. Consumer satisfaction is slowly shifting towards convenience encompassing minimal and hands-free interactions to vehicles. Accomplishing safe and seamless operations for opening and closing the trunk still heavily relies on boot release cables. Due to the relative ease in trunk access offered by the vehicles, the automotive boot release cable market is growing drastically with passenger cars accounting for the largest segment.
   
• Integrating smart components into vehicles, also known as automation, has been adopted by major industry players like Honda, Hyundai, and Ford who now employ sophisticated boot released cables integrated into power liftgate assemblies of their SUVs and sedans. Advanced keyless trunk access and vehicle unlocking systems have become commonplace. These cables have indeed met pass through requirements for OEM standards (durability, compact routing, and safety compliance) while also ensuring optimum trunk operation.
   
• More complex smart trunk features like remote trunk opening and gesture activated opening are bound to become common place in sedans and put them on par technologically with the already existing sophisticated models. The boot release cable comes into play as the main mechanical part in these systems with the release of significant effort comes great reliability. If electronic components fail or require manual activation, back up features enhance user friendliness and sense of safety.
   
• In metropolitan and suburban areas where space, accessibility, and convenience are primary considerations, consumers are buying compact and crossover models equipped with effortless rear access systems. This trend furthers the advancement of cable flexibility, insulation, and long-term corrosion resistance for passenger vehicles. 
   
• Cultural regulations focusing on emergency trunk release commands, particularly in North American and European markets, have made boot release cables standard in almost all passenger car models. These systems are designed to allow free access without voluntary locks, and manual switches that override control, accenting the importance of boot release cables to safety in passenger cars. 
   
• The growing popularity of electric and hybrid passenger cars has further boosted the market. In EVs, the back compartment is typically designed with space constraints in mind, and boot cables made from low-density, high-strength steel or polymer are actively housed to provide optimum access to the compartment. The trend towards electrification increases the amount of imperceptible mechanical systems that will enable smart systems without unnecessarily increasing weight or complexity.
   

In 2024, China dominated the approximately 57.6% share of the Asia Pacific automotive boot release cable market and crossed USD 136.1 million in revenue.

• With the greatest output of vehicles accompanied with a high domestic purchase rate of passenger cars, China dominates the global automotive boot release cable industry. The scale of China's automotive ecosystem, by its numerous automotive components industries, strengthens the country’s vertical integration. China’s steel processing, mechanical cable making, and vehicle assembly industries allow for the economical and bulk production of boot release cable systems. 
   
• China focuses on automobile components innovation, self-reliant design, and domestic inventions such as trunk and tailgates access systems as part of the “Made in China 2025” policy. Recently, the country has made China the most advanced center for boot release cables because of investment on bending, forming, coating, and testing technology for these cables China has taken a lead in precision, anti-corroding materials, and safety equipped assembly cables. 
   
• Suppliers enrolled to China’s OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) like: BYD, Chery, SAIC, and Great Wall Motors alongside foreign motor facers who have joint ventures in China furnish them with specialized cables in Hebei, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces. The manufacturers’ ability to produce OEM grade boot release cables and supply them at a low price enables China to dominate the automotive boot release cable market on both domestic and export scales.
   
• With the collaboration between OEMs and parts suppliers, Chinese manufacturers are optimizing product iterations, improving lightweight design integration, and incorporating smart power liftgate systems enabling them to meet the growing demand for modern advanced smart trunk features. This innovation cycle is assisting China in sustaining its dominance in manufacturing sophisticated boot release mechanisms for both internal combustion and electric vehicles. 
   
• The increased export capabilities of China enabled by automated production lines, quality assurance control at every level, and high-volume tooling setups facilitated China to dominate as the go-to manufacturer for automotive boot release cables in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. In addition, its price and speed in meeting deadlines gives unprecedented opportunities to global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. 
   
• There is a surging demand for hybrid mechanical-electronic trunk access systems as China's automotive sector further shifts toward electric vehicles, smart car platforms, and autonomous systems. The available domestic investment is gaining traction towards producing sophisticated boot release cables that comply with international safety, lifecycle, and performance standards solidifying China’s position as a dominant force in this market.
   

The automotive boot release cable market in the Germany is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Intensive engineering focus and world-renowned OEMs such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, contributes to Germany’s dominance in the European market. Advanced mechanical systems widely adopted in German vehicles, especially in the premium and luxury segments, have created a market for boot release cables that are durable and precision-engineered due to the demand for luxury and high-end German cars. 
   
• Supported by the government, the EU Green Deal, Vision Zero, and Germany’s Roadmap to Autonomous Mobility are advancing cables in vehicle access and component design toward modular, recyclable, and long-lasting attributes. These policies increase the requirements for next-gen vehicles and fuel the demand for sophisticated boot release cable assemblies with improved safety, accessibility, and ease-of-use.
   
• Together with the OEMs, automotive component design and development is done with the aid of Tier 1 suppliers at the industrial clusters in Stuttgart, Ingolstadt and Wolfsburg. These areas may be considered the focal points for automotive design innovation. Bosch, Leoni and Continental are among those who are automating and integrating mechatronic systems into their processes. These new technologies revolutionize traditional cable systems toward the requirements of smart trunk and power liftgate technologies.
   
• High qualitative factors relating to safety and durability make Germany's automotive part industries very attractive to foreign markets for German boot release cables. These cables are indiscriminately sold across France, Italy, the UK, Scandinavia, and even Eastern Europe, where automobile manufacturers need strong and regulation-compliant ICE trunk access solutions for EVs and hybrid vehicles. 
   
• With the growth of electric and autonomous vehicle platforms in Europe, there is a rising demand for low-friction, corrosion-resistant, and compact boot release cable designs that align with space-saving and weight-reduction goals. German engineering continues to lead in meeting these specifications, reinforcing Germany’s dominance in the boot release cable market through innovative, future-ready solutions.
   

The automotive boot release cable market in U.S. is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034, driven by the expansive automotive manufacturing sector and the presence of global OEMs like General Motors, Ford, and Tesla Motors. These manufacturers consistently demand high-performance and durable cable systems for passenger and commercial vehicles, thus fueling consistent growth and innovation in the boot release cable segment.
 

• Stringent U.S. vehicle safety and access regulations, alongside a consumer preference for convenience features such as power liftgates, hands-free trunk opening, and remote access, have significantly boosted the demand for advanced boot release cable systems. These features are commonly integrated across mid-range to premium models, highlighting the U.S. automotive boot release cable market.
   
• The industrial strength of regions such as Detroit, Michigan and manufacturing corridors across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, serves as the foundation for the development and large-scale production of mechanical components like boot release cables. U.S.-based component manufacturers are also partnering with automotive technology providers to improve cable durability, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with EV trunk and frunk architectures.
   
• Advanced R&D facilities in the U.S. are driving innovation in boot release mechanisms to complement the latest trends in smart vehicle design and lightweight construction. The rise in electrified and autonomous vehicle platforms, especially from Tesla and Rivian, is generating additional demand for compact, efficient, and electronically assisted cable release systems.
   
• The U.S. remains a major exporter of automotive cables, supplying to neighboring North American markets like Canada and Mexico, and to European and East Asian automakers seeking high-quality trunk release solutions. The country’s strong production base, quality control standards, and aftermarket demand ensure its sustained dominance in the global market.
   

Automotive Boot Release Cable Market Share

• The top 7 companies in the automotive boot release cable industry are Sumitomo Electric Industries, Nexans Auto Electric, Leoni AG, Sterlite Technologies, THB Group, Universal Cable, and Kei Industry who contribute around 19.4% of the market in 2024.
   
• Sumitomo Electric Industries continued its dominance in the automotive boot release cable industry by advancing high-durability cable systems compatible with electric liftgate applications. In 2024, the company expanded supply to leading Japanese and North American OEMs, integrating lightweight and heat-resistant materials for high-cycle trunk operations in hybrid and EV platforms.
   
• Nexans Auto Electric made strides in innovation by introducing a modular boot release cable solution optimized for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. These cables were tailored for rear-mounted motor architectures, and Nexans’ 2024 European production ramp-up ensured a seamless supply to OEMs in Germany, France, and Italy.
   
• Leoni AG upgraded its automotive cable portfolio with pre-assembled boot release cables featuring enhanced corrosion resistance and pull-force optimization. In 2024, Leoni supplied these systems to several German OEMs, aligning with the increasing demand for precision components in power liftgates and hands-free trunk access systems.
   
• Sterlite Technologies entered new markets with its custom boot release cable harnesses for electric and urban micro-vehicles. In 2024, the company established a dedicated production line in India to meet growing domestic and export demand, especially from Southeast Asian EV OEMs seeking cost-effective and resilient trunk cable systems.
   
• THB Group expanded its OEM partnerships by delivering dual-function boot release cables that support both manual and powered trunk mechanisms. Their cables, known for quick assembly and low-friction performance, were adopted in compact SUV and sedan platforms across Europe and the Middle East in 2024.
   
• Universal Cable strengthened its automotive segment by launching multi-layer insulated boot release cables designed for high humidity and coastal environments. These were supplied to automakers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim, catering to vehicles built for tropical climates and rugged usage conditions.
   
• Kei Industry developed next-gen boot release cables with hybrid polymer jackets, ensuring superior abrasion resistance and flexibility. In 2024, the company focused on scaling production for Japanese mini-vehicles and Kei cars, which increasingly feature electronically assisted boot systems due to urban EV demand.
   

Automotive Boot Release Cable Market Companies

Major players operating in the automotive boot release cable industry are:

• Birla Cable
• Kei Industry
• Leoni AG
• Nexans Auto Electric
• Polycab
• Sterlite Technologies
• Sumitomo Electric Industries
• TE connectivity
• THB Group
• Universal Cable
   

The automotive industry is witnessing profound changes due to advancements in vehicle body electronics, ergonomics, and consumer expectation for modern vehicles to offer smart trunk features. As power liftgates and hands-free systems become commonplace across different vehicle make and models, the design of boot release cables is changing to accommodate multifunctional pathways that electronically signal movement and mechanical movement.
 

To address the severe thermal and dynamic vibration challenges posed by tailgate assemblies in EVs and hybrid SUVs, cryogenic-grade insulation, anti-kink braided sleeves, and corrosion-resistant terminals are being used by cable manufacturers. Trim performance and durability. These developments strengthen resistance to extreme cycling in trunk temperatures, repetitive mechanical stress, and mechanical strain.

For improved accuracy and dependability, tight control of assembly standards is being undertaken by OEMs through automation of cable harness calibration. Smart grommets provide EMI shielding and glue-free traction which diminishes an undesired effect while bumping resistance to unwanted movement or interference for space within a signal pathway. AI design tools are now available to enable modification of cables for powered tailgate motors and trunk latches, which helps cables interface with the motors integrally in EVs and autonomous vehicles.
 

Automotive Boot Release Cable Industry News

• Nexans Autoelectric introduced its “FlexTail Motion” cable series in February 2024, engineered specifically for high-frequency tailgate operation in EVs. These cables utilize a hybrid core made of ultra-flexible steel and thermoplastic elastomers, designed for over 1 million trunk cycles. The series is now under adoption for premium German OEMs focused on smart access solutions.
   
• In Q1 2024, Sumitomo Electric Industries expanded its automotive component plant in Osaka, Japan, to include a new automated production line for boot release cables with advanced tensile strength testing and smart coil winding technology. This facility now supports next gen liftgate systems in electric SUVs and sedans for global OEMs including Toyota and Nissan.
   
• In early 2024, Leoni AG launched its next-gen mechatronic trunk cable assemblies for automated boot systems, integrating cable sensors and micro-actuation support. Leoni has partnered with several European automakers to integrate the assemblies into modular EV platforms with remote boot access and app-based release triggers.
   
• Sterlite Technologies began pilot production of eco-compliant boot release cables in India using RoHS-grade materials and bio-based insulation jackets in March 2024. The initiative aligns with growing OEM requirements for sustainable component sourcing and is targeted at electric hatchbacks and compact SUVs across Southeast Asian markets.
   
• THB Group unveiled its SmartBoot Lite Series in April 2024, designed for compact crossover vehicles and urban EVs. The cables are optimized for easy routing and low-weight requirements and include enhanced corrosion-resistant sheathing, ideal for vehicles exposed to diverse climatic conditions. Production began at its new Maharashtra plant, which is dedicated to EV-specific cable assemblies.
   
• Universal Cables introduced an AI-integrated testing framework for boot release cable durability and lifecycle fatigue monitoring at its R&D center in April 2024. The system simulates real-world trunk cycles, including hands-free boot kicks and smart key interactions, ensuring product performance in luxury and fleet vehicle applications.
   
• Kei Industry began supplying custom-fit boot release cable kits to aftermarket channels in North America and Europe. These kits, launched in Q1 2024, are compatible with over 50 vehicle models and feature quick-connect terminals for tool-free replacement, making them ideal for quick-service workshops and DIY enthusiasts focusing on tailgate repairs and enhancements.
   

The automotive boot release cable market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue ($ Mn/Bn) and shipment (units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Material

• Steel
• Aluminium
• Plastic
• Others

Market, By Vehicle

• Passenger cars
  • Sedans
  • Hatchbacks
  • SUVs
• Commercial vehicles
  • Light duty
  • Medium duty
  • Heavy duty

Market, By Propulsion

• Gasoline
• Diesel
• Electric
• PHEV
• HEV
• FCEV

Market, By Sales Channel

• OEM
• Aftermarket

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Nordics
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa