What car companies use Pilkington glass?
Pilkington, part of NSG Group, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive glazing. A quick snapshot: the company supplies glass for many major automakers worldwide, including Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen Group brands, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Renault, Volvo Cars, Jaguar Land Rover, Audi, Porsche, Honda, Mazda and Subaru. The exact list varies by model and market, and automakers may use multiple glass suppliers depending on region and production line. This article looks at which carmakers use Pilkington glass and why it remains a common choice across the industry.
Global footprint and typical customers
Pilkington’s automotive glass products—from windshields to backlights and side glazing—are designed for mass-market as well as premium vehicles. The firm’s customer base spans North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond, reflecting its role in safety glazing as well as advanced coatings and coatings-enabled features. The brands below are among those publicly associated with Pilkington’s automotive glass through press releases, industry reports, or sourcing announcements.
Regional presence (illustrative overview)
Pilkington distributes glazing to OEMs across major regions. The list of representative brands by region highlights how widespread its supply network is, while keeping in mind that automakers often source from multiple suppliers for different models and markets.
- North America: Ford, General Motors
- Europe: Volkswagen Group (VW, Audi, Škoda, Seat), BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo
- Asia-Pacific: Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Subaru
The regional breakdown above is illustrative and not exhaustive. Car makers frequently diversify their glazing suppliers by platform, region, and supply contracts, so Pilkington’s role can vary across models.
Notable OEMs and brands that publicly align with Pilkington glass
Automotive glazing is a core product line for Pilkington, and the company has publicly highlighted relationships with several major manufacturers. The following brands are commonly cited in industry materials as customers or users of Pilkington automotive glass. This list is not exhaustive and reflects publicly available information, which can change over time as deals are renegotiated or as new platforms come online.
- Ford
- General Motors (GM) and its brands
- Toyota
- Volkswagen Group (including VW, Audi, Škoda, Seat)
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Nissan
- Renault
- Volvo Cars
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Porsche
- Honda
- Mazda
- Subaru
Note: This list is illustrative. Pilkington’s full customer roster is not published in a single public source, and automakers often source glazing from multiple suppliers depending on the region and model. The presence of Pilkington glass on a given vehicle can vary across markets and model lines.
What products do carmakers receive from Pilkington?
Automotive glazing encompasses several components, each with its own technical requirements. Pilkington supplies a range of glazing products and configurations to OEMs, including integrated glazing packages and individual components designed to meet safety, regulatory, and design needs.
- Windscreens (windshields): front glazing made of laminated glass with coatings for UV and infrared control
- Backlights: rear windows, typically laminated for safety and durability
- Side glazing: front and rear side windows, often featuring acoustic or UV-control technologies
- Specialty glazing: laminated or tempered options with enhancements such as acoustic damping, solar control, and tinted solutions
These products are chosen for safety performance, optical quality, weight considerations, and compatibility with advanced features like heated windshields, rain sensors, and integrated camera or sensor housings in glass components.
Why automakers continue to choose Pilkington
Automakers select Pilkington for its global manufacturing footprint, consistent quality, and ability to deliver across a multi-region supply chain. Pilkington provides standardized glazing solutions that meet international safety and quality standards, along with coatings and configurations that support energy efficiency, noise reduction, and passenger comfort. The ability to coordinate production and delivery across multiple plants helps automakers manage complex supply networks for worldwide vehicle programs.
Summary
Pilkington glass plays a significant role in the glazing packages of many leading carmakers, spanning brands in North America, Europe, and Asia. While the full, exhaustive roster of customers isn’t publicly disclosed, the brands listed above illustrate Pilkington’s wide footprint across both mainstream and premium segments. As automotive glazing technology evolves—with more emphasis on safety, lightweighting, and advanced coatings—Pilkington is likely to remain a central supplier for many major automakers.
Who uses Pilkington glass?
Most BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, and Honda manufacturers use this (Pilkington).
Is Pilkington glass still going?
NSG Group is pleased to announce its Group company - Pilkington United Kingdom Limited has launched a new glass production line at its Greengate Works site in St Helens as part of a multi-million-pound investment to safeguard the future of rolled texture glass manufacturing in the UK, as announced on 21 April 2023 ...
Is Pilkington glass an OEM for Toyota?
In the case of glass, an OEM supplier such as Pilkington, sells glass direct to vehicle manufacturers such as General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Toyota, and many others.
What is the new name for Pilkington glass?
Viridian Glass
Australia and New Zealand
In 2006 CSR acquired the Australian and New Zealand Pilkington's operations from NSG, merged it with DMS Glass, and rebranded to Viridian Glass.
