The Era of Intelligent Cockpits: Transformation and Opportunities for Aftermarket Interior Companies

In 2024, the Chinese automotive interior market reached a scale of RMB 138.3 billion, with intelligent interiors accounting for over 40% of the market and growing at an annual rate of 15%. Meanwhile, the procurement volume of non-intelligent interiors in high-end vehicles has dropped by 30%.

1. The Market Has Changed: Car Owners No Longer Want Interiors That Are Just “Pretty”—They Want Them to “Interact”

1) Young consumers are willing to spend on upgrades, but their demands have changed

• Personality meets intelligence: Post-90s and post-2000 car owners account for over 40% of the modification market. Among them, 76% are willing to spend 10–30% more for a “smart interior,” such as color-changing ambient lighting or massaging seats, instead of just leather trim.

• New energy vehicles create new needs: EVs come with a natural tech vibe, prompting owners to add smart surfaces (like touch-controlled wood panels) and multi-scenario seats (e.g., one-click reclining for camping mode).

2) Ignoring transformation means losing market share

• Traditional interiors have thin margins: Ordinary floor mats or seat covers yield only 15–20% gross profit. Add a sensor to make them “intelligent,” and the margin jumps to 50%+, such as fatigue-monitoring seats with vibration alerts.

• Policies push transformation: By 2025, the Ministry of Commerce clearly supports compliant vehicle modifications. Cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen have opened 16 modification categories, including intelligent interiors. Aftermarket companies that fail to upgrade risk missing this growth opportunity.

3) The technical threshold isn’t that high—finding the right partners is key

Aftermarket companies don’t need to produce chips themselves; they need to know how to “assemble the blocks” at exhibitions like Yasen:

• Electronics: Partner with mature solution providers (e.g., general-purpose touch modules, plug-and-play sensors).

• Software: Use open platforms (e.g., Huawei HiCar) to integrate with OEM systems.

• Materials: Embed circuits into leather or fabric without affecting tactile feel or aesthetics.

In short, car owners now want “interactive” interiors, not static decorations. Companies that master the integration of electronics and materials first can command higher prices.

2. How Aftermarket Companies Can Transform: Focus on Three Things

1) Don’t just sell parts—sell “scenarios”

• Example: Package “folding seats + in-car power supply + ambient lights” as a “camping kit.” The price doubles, yet it sells quickly.

• Data: Sales of family self-driving travel gear (inflatable beds, refrigerators) grew 30% annually. Scenario-based bundles make it easier to raise prices.

2) Move from “one-time transactions” to “recurring revenue”

Subscription services: Interior features can be split into basic and paid upgrade versions. For example, Tesla Model S charges extra for “seat heating.” Aftermarket companies can imitate this:

• “Winter Warmth Pack” (seat + steering wheel heating, RMB 398/year)

• “Camping Kit” (reclining seat + ambient lights, RMB 598/year)

Annual subscription models let users experience high-end features at lower costs while avoiding wasted purchases.

3) Partner with 4S dealerships and modification shops

• 4S dealerships favor high-margin items: Wrap films (200% margin), electric lumbar supports, touch-integrated door panels/center consoles, foldable in-car desks. You supply the products; they brand them.

• 38,000 automotive service shops are a goldmine: They lack technical expertise; you provide “smart interior modification certification + standardized installation process” and share revenue from car owners.

3. Yasn Expo: A Catalyst for Traditional Companies’ Transformation

1) Scenario-based showcases let car owners “try before they buy”

Yasn Expo, a trendsetter in the automotive aftermarket, is expected to gather 6,000+ global companies and debut 5,000+ new products across ten areas, including EV-specific solutions, creative modifications, and smart devices.

In 2026, the Beijing Yasn Expo will feature a “Smart Cockpit Modification Experience Zone,” simulating scenarios like “Business Cabin Mode” and “Child Safety Mode.” Interior companies can quickly collect evaluations from car owners and KOLs to optimize products.

2) Capture new channels, especially overseas markets

• By 2025, China’s automotive interior exports are expected to exceed RMB 20 billion, growing 25% annually.

• International connections: Delegations from 18 countries will attend the concurrent “China International New Energy Vehicle Supply Chain Conference & Going Global Forum” to explore collaborations.

• Cross-border e-commerce support: Yasen Expo partners with Amazon Global Selling and Google Enterprise Global Expansion services to host forums on overseas market compliance, cost-effective logistics, and product selection strategies, helping companies tap into the global smart interior market.

3) Profit growth via dual channels: 4S dealerships and modification shops

• 4S dealerships: 2,000 dealerships require smart interior supplies (ambient lights, touch surfaces). Modules like “one-touch power windows” can increase annual revenue by RMB 200,000 per store.

• Modification shops: 380,000 automotive service stores face transformation pressure. Smart cockpit modifications provide a key growth path.

In 2024, the EV modification market exceeded RMB 120 billion, accounting for 35% of the overall modification market. EV owners’ demand for smart cockpits and personalized features (e.g., IMS monitoring systems) is significantly higher than that of conventional vehicle owners.

Aftermarket companies face a “fire and ice” scenario

• Ice: 72% of car owners showed no growth in maintenance spending in 2024; over 50% of shops saw declining customers.

• Fire: New energy vehicle maintenance revenue reached nearly RMB 60 billion, with businesses like film wrapping and control arm replacements growing counter-cyclically. Smart interior modifications have become a new growth driver.

Aftermarket interior companies are at a critical juncture: transform or risk extinction. The 2026 Yasn Expo is the best opportunity for these companies to “catch up.”

March 13–16, 2026 · Beijing · Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center
Smart Cockpit Breakthrough: Must‑See Opportunity for Automakers and Supply Chain Companies at YASN Expo

Join us to explore the future of intelligent vehicle interiors and discover the latest innovations driving the smart cockpit revolution.

Event Details:

Dates: March 13–16, 2026
Location: Beijing, Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center (Shunyi Venue)

Reserve your premium booth now: [Booth Reservation]
Register as a visitor: [Attendee Registration]

Contact Amy Shaw for details:
WhatsApp/Phone: +86 189 1112 9881 ·
Email: yasn21@yasn.com.cn
Join us at these pivotal events to drive innovation and capture growth in China’s dynamic automotive industry!