Key Players
Competitive Landscape
Automotive retractable towbars market includes manual retractable suppliers, electric-release suppliers, and fully electric suppliers. Westfalia offers the R10 with electric release [10], and Brink offers a manual retractable towbar [12] and the fully electric NEXT [11]. Suppliers differ in actuation, locking feedback, and vehicle coverage.
Since 2025, the market backdrop has been shaped by vehicle base and coverage developments. OICA reported 96.4 million vehicles built in 2025 [4], the European Caravan Federation reported over 215,000 leisure vehicle registrations [8], and RVIA reported 342,220 RV shipments [7]. Brink lists two NEXT models with model years from 2025 among its upcoming fitments [11]. These developments are anticipated to increase the number of vehicles that can carry a retractable towbar.
Developments mapped to drivers, trends and opportunities (2025-2026)
Table 8: Developments Mapped to Drivers, Trends and Opportunities for the Automotive Retractable Towbars Market (qualitative), 2025 to 2026
| Development | Driver | Trend | Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026: OICA reported 96.4 million vehicles built in 2025, up 3.9% [4]. | A larger annual vehicle base. | Production concentrated in China at 34.5 million vehicles. | First-fit kits on new platforms. |
| February 2026: EPA update shows truck SUVs alone at half of new US vehicle production [1]. | SUV-led vehicle mix. | Truck-based body styles at 66% of new US vehicles under NHTSA definitions. | Retractable kits on SUV models. |
| January 2026: European Caravan Federation reported over 215,000 leisure registrations in 2025 [8]. | Towing use by leisure vehicles. | Motorhomes up about 0.6% and caravans down about 11%. | Towbars for motorhome and caravan owners. |
| January 2026: ACEA reported 10,822,831 EU car registrations in 2025 [6]. | A large annual first-fit flow. | Registrations up 1.8%. | Factory and dealer fitment programs. |
| December 2025: RVIA reported 342,220 RV shipments, of which 306,191 were towables [7]. | Towing use in the US. | Towables at 89.5% of RV shipments. | Towbars on SUVs used with towable RVs. |
| 2025: Brink listed the Citroën C5 Aircross II and Kia Sportage V facelift among upcoming NEXT models [11]. | Wider vehicle coverage. | Fully electric retractable towbars reaching more SUV models. | Model-specific kits for new vehicles. |
Source: Future Market Insights analysis of industry statistics and supplier listings [4] [1] [8] [6] [7] [11].
Who leads the automotive retractable towbars market?
Westfalia-Automotive and Brink are the profiled suppliers. Westfalia lists the R10 with electric release, and Brink lists a manual retractable towbar and the fully electric NEXT.
Which companies provide fully electric retractable towbars?
Brink lists the NEXT as a fully electric retractable towbar that extends with two presses of a button.
Which companies provide retractable towbars with electric release?
Westfalia-Automotive lists the R10 as manually retractable with an electric release.
What should buyers evaluate before approving a retractable towbar?
Buyers generally check vehicle-specific fitment and trim exclusions, actuation type, lock confirmation, bumper clearance, wiring and installation scope, and the approved towing application before approving a retractable towbar.
Representative Company Overview
Table 9: Representative Company Overview for the Automotive Retractable Towbars Market (qualitative), 2026
| Company | Positioning | Offering |
|---|---|---|
| Westfalia-Automotive | Electric-release retractable supplier | R10 retractable towbar, manually retractable with electric release and optical and acoustic locking signals. Seven retractable products among 895 towbars. |
| Brink | Manual and fully electric retractable supplier | Manual retractable towbar with lever and lock dial. NEXT fully electric retractable towbar with 11 available and 9 upcoming models. |
| Volvo Cars | Vehicle manufacturer system | Extendable and retractable towbar for the XC40, operated from a tailgate button with an indicator lamp. |
Research Methodology
Sources include manufacturer product pages, owner documentation, vehicle production and registration statistics, and industry shipment reports. The comparison covers product, actuation, and vehicle coverage. Fixed towbars, removable detachable towbars, trailers and load carriers are excluded from the market size. Segment shares and forecast values are Future Market Insights estimates for 2026 to 2036.
