CINEVE | Beyond Panoramic Sunroofs: Smart Glass Emerges as Four Technology Routes Vie for the Future

Among new energy vehicles, the adoption rate of panoramic roofs has surpassed 75%—to the point where a panoramic roof is practically a standard feature. However, another statistic presents a striking contrast: the market penetration rate for dimmable roofs in domestic passenger vehicles stood at just 0.37% in 2025; while it rose to 0.89% between January and April 2026, it is projected to barely exceed 1% for the year as a whole. In other words, while three out of every ten new energy vehicles feature a panoramic roof, fewer than one in a hundred comes equipped with dimmable technology.

This contrast does not stem from a lack of demand. Car owners widely agree that panoramic glass roofs—while aesthetically pleasing—fail to provide adequate protection against the scorching summer sun. Consequently, new models slated for 2026—such as the BYD Seal, AITO M9, IM L6, Zunjie S800, Xiaomi YU7, NIO ES9, and Xpeng GX—are all positioning dimmable roofs or privacy glass as key selling points. Guosen Securities projects that the domestic market for dimmable roofs will expand from approximately 1.3 billion yuan in 2025 to around 14 billion yuan by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate exceeding 60%. However, realizing this potential requires overcoming the hurdles associated with balancing cost, user experience, and usage scenarios.

1. Four parallel technological paths, with distinct application scenarios already established

The industry has currently settled on four distinct technological paths—EC (electrochromic), PDLC/PDCLC (black liquid crystal), DLC/LC (dyed liquid crystal), and SPD (suspended particle device)—each occupying a specific market niche rather than engaging in a chaotic free-for-all.

Electrochromic (EC) technology remains the mainstream choice for panoramic roofs in the 300,000-yuan price segment. Guangyi Technology has raised the yield rate of its tungsten oxide films from 65% in 2022 to 89% and reduced the cost per square meter from its peak to 1,800 yuan; the cost is projected to drop below 1,200 yuan by 2027, enabling adoption in vehicles priced around 250,000 yuan. Models such as the AITO M9, Xiaomi SU7 Max, Zeekr 009, BYD Seal, and Audi E5 Sportback have adopted this approach, with the "Fuyao + Guangyi + Yutianguanjia" supplier combination being a common configuration.

PDLC technology is making a comeback thanks to "black film" innovations. Traditional PDLC turns milky white when powered off—a characteristic long criticized for poor light-blocking performance and lack of aesthetic appeal. Haiyouwei’s "Moying Shunguang" (Ink-Shadow Instant Light) PDLC incorporates dyes into the liquid crystal, allowing it to turn black when powered off and adjust light transmission between 5% and 80%. The IM L6 has made this a standard feature in the 200,000-yuan price range—marking the first signal that dimmable panoramic roofs are becoming more affordable. The nine-zone PDLC roof on the SAIC Audi A5L and the "Star-Emblem" PDLC roof on the all-electric Mercedes-Benz GLC also utilize a combination of Saint-Gobain film and Fuyao assembly.

DLC/PDLC zone-controlled dimming is the new favorite in the high-end market. Led by BOE, this technology—featuring dye-doped liquid crystal, microsecond-level response times, and zone control—has already been adopted in vehicles such as the Maextro S800 (gesture-sensing light curtain), Zeekr 009 Glory Edition (rear cabin), Hongqi H9+ Executive Edition, and NIO ES9. Ruihua Optoelectronics is betting on this specific technology path with its Nanjing facility, which involves a total investment of 3 billion yuan and a designed annual capacity of 700,000 units, with production scheduled to begin in Q4 2026.

SPD remains at the pinnacle of the market. Currently utilized by models like the Maybach, Cadillac CELESTIQ, and McLaren GT, it involves a cost structure comprising Gauzy licensing, AGC assembly, and Research Frontiers patent fees; due to high costs, it is unlikely to break out of the ultra-luxury segment in the near term.

The division of use cases is already clear: the panoramic roof is the primary battleground for EC and PDLC (competing on cost and thermal insulation); side windows and rear cabins are the domain of DLC (competing on zoning and privacy); and SPD occupies the ultra-luxury tier. No single technology dominates the entire market.

2. Supply Chain: A Three-Way Partnership Between Glass Manufacturers, Film Suppliers, and Sunroof Integrators

The supply chain for dimmable panoramic roofs is more complex than that of standard panoramic roofs, involving three indispensable components: the glass substrate (Fuyao, Saint-Gobain, AGC, NSG), the dimmable film (Guangyi EC, Haiyouwei PDCLC, BOE DLC, Gauzy SPD), and the sunroof system integration (Webasto, Yutian Guanjia, Inalfa).

Fuyao is the most aggressive glass manufacturer in its strategic layout, betting simultaneously on PDLC, EC, and LC technologies. It supplies EC for the AITO M9 and LC for the Maextro S800, Zeekr 009 Grand, and Hongqi H9; it is also set to launch black EC full-vehicle dimming and dye-based PDLC side windows in 2025. BOE and Fuyao have officially announced a partnership, establishing a collaborative model essentially defined by the combination of "BOE film + Fuyao glass" for LC technology.

As a leading domestic supplier of EC (electrochromic) films—partnering with brands like AITO (Wenjie), Xiaomi, Zeekr, and BYD—Guangyi’s core competitive advantage lies in its production yield. Haiyouwei has secured design wins for the IM L6 and SAIC Audi A5L thanks to its PDCLC black film technology, while Jingyi has won the contract for the nano-PDLC zoning system in the Zeekr 001 YOU trim. A significant boost in LC production capacity is expected once Ruihua’s Nanjing facility comes online.

In the integrated sunroof segment, Yutian Guanjia—the domestic market leader with a 16% share—is actively vying for orders from AITO, Xiaomi, and Xpeng. Meanwhile, Webasto and Inalfa are leveraging partnerships with Saint-Gobain and Fuyao to bundle glass and mechanism integration, thereby securing business with BBA (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi) and GM.

3. 2026-2027 Will Be the Tipping Point: Before Costs Fall Below RMB 1,200, It Will Remain a Premium Option Among Optional Features

The logic is straightforward: before the cost of EC (electrochromic) glass falls below RMB 1,200 per square meter, smart glass sunroofs will mainly remain an optional feature for vehicles priced above RMB 300,000. Once the cost drops below RMB 1,200, models in the RMB 250,000 range are expected to adopt it as a standard feature on a large scale. If PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) technology can further reduce costs to below RMB 1,000 per unit, the technology could expand into the RMB 200,000 vehicle segment. According to Guosen Securities’ forecast, the penetration rate of smart dimming technology in panoramic sunroofs will increase from 4% in 2025 to 33% by 2030, while the average cost per vehicle is expected to decline from RMB 4,933 per vehicle to RMB 3,697 per vehicle.

There are three critical challenges facing the supply chain: first, steadily improving the yield rate for EC (electrochromic) roll-to-roll coating; second, ensuring the weather resistance and curved-surface lamination capabilities of PDCLC black films; and third, managing indentation issues and costs associated with the large-area fabrication of DLC (device-level components/materials). Whoever solves these three problems first will capture the market surge associated with the 250,000–300,000 RMB vehicle segment.

It is important to note that while the widespread adoption of panoramic glass roofs is a trend for 2023–2025, the real battleground for mass-market adoption of dimmable glass lies in 2026–2027. As glass evolves from a mere shield against the elements into a "smart node for light environment control," the true benchmark for success is not the current 0.89% penetration rate, but rather whether the cost of EC glass can be stabilized below 1,200 RMB per square meter.