For years, automakers equipped vehicles with lighting systems to perform certain functions: Headlights for illuminating the road in front of the driver and taillights for making the vehicle noticeable for other road users, as well as for helping the driver to inform others about their driving intentions, such as braking, changing lanes, or reversing the vehicle. However, today, automakers offer newer exterior illumination solutions that do not perform any specific tasks except to enhance the ext...

Organic LED (next-generation display technology OLED) is finding takers in the automotive industry. From taillights to interior lighting, automakers are warming up to the idea of using OLED as their light-based applications. OLED is made from organic materials such as carbon and uses multiple layers of organic semiconductors. OLEDs contain two electrodes, one of which is transparent. Low voltage (about 4 V) causes the semiconductor layers to emit light. The color depends on the molecules within ...

In 2015, BMW presented its 7 Series sedan with Welcome Light Carpet, a new lighting innovation that illuminated the ground on both sides of the car, guiding driver (and passengers) to the doors of the car. The Welcome Light Carpet, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena, Germany used microoptics lenses in a honeycomb array to create a stripped pattern of light. The tiny projectors were mounted under the body sill below the front door. Fi...

The Volkswagen  ID.7 is produced at the company’s plant Emden in Germany. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 49967  in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

With the rapid rates of electric vehicle adoption continuing in major markets globally, legislative agendas supporting aggressive transitions to phase out mainstream internal combustion engine (ICE) usage, and supply chains gearing up accordingly, the narrative around electrification technology is shifting toward one of maturity and scale. Click the link above to download the full article.

Gateway hardware serves as the vital link between modern automobiles and the digital world. An automotive network gateway is a vital component that acts as a communication hub between various electronic systems within the vehicle. A key role is to enable data exchange and communication between different networks or domains within the vehicle. In a vehicle, multiple electronic control units (ECUs) are responsible for controlling distinct functions like engine control, braking, steering, infota...

TheLincoln Nautilus produced at the Changan Hangzhou plant in China. The  SUV is expected to peak at more than 34702 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

Lumileds, one of the key suppliers of integrated LED solutions and modules for automotive applications, expects the adoption of LED-based lighting to grow in all lighting systems in a vehicle — such as headlights, taillights, ambient lighting and daytime running lights — in addition to many new applications, including grill and logo illumination. In an interview with S&P Global Mobility, Dirk Vanderhaeghen, senior director of global strategic marketing at Lumileds, shared his thoughts on...

LEDs are fast replacing halogen bulbs as the most preferred source for almost all lighting and signaling devices in vehicles. The rising popularity of LED also eclipsed the growth prospects of xenon bulbs, which was once seen as a strong contender of halogen bulbs. However, unlike LED and halogen bulbs, xenon can be used in only a few lighting systems, such as headlights and fog lights. LED quickly gained the market share as it offers several advantages over halogen and xenon bulbs. It is mor...

The Polestar 3  is produced at company’s production centre is located in Chengdu, China. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 13823 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

Among the more interesting developments in the automotive interior and lighting space is a technology called “Shy Tech.” It literally means shy technology, where a solution is not visible unless activated by the user. While it is not prevalent in the automotive industry, some key players are working on bringing it to mass production soon. People do not prefer vehicle cabins cluttered with information all the time. This can also result in distracted driving. Shy Tech refers to an array of ...

The BMW i5 is produced at company’s Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany. The electric vehicle is expected to peak at more than 39722 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

The Cupra Leon  is produced at built at Martorell plant in Spain. The VW’s SEAT is expected to peak at more than 52311 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

The Chevrolet Silverado EV is produced at Factory ZERO assembly plant. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 53088 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

LED light bars are becoming a new trend in exterior lighting in vehicles. Automakers are equipping their select new models with such light bars, either in front or rear or both. In the front, the white LED light bar often appears to connect the two day-time-running lights (DRL), giving an impression of side-to-side lighting on the front bumper. Together with the DRLs, the front light bar helps automakers create a distinct light signature for the model. Automakers started offering a light bar ...

The growth of in-vehicle technologies has led to automakers offering customer-centric solutions, which have become key selling points. From bigger displays to swivel seats, the vehicle interior now is all about optimization for customer comfort and convenience. Ambient lighting represents an interesting aspect. With the advancement in lighting technologies, designers have been able to reimagine in-cabin lighting, going beyond the traditional set up to use different colors and customize the brigh...

The Ford Mustang produced at Flat Rock, Michigan. The  vehicle is expected to peak at more than 76159 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

The Cruise Origin is produced at General Motors Factory ZERO Plant. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 2412 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

Light-emitting diode (LED) was first used as a light source in vehicles nearly four decades ago for center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) function in the 1984 GM Corvette sports car. At that time only red LED light was available, therefore it could be only used for certain rear lighting functions such as taillight and stop light. In the 1990s, lighting companies developed a green LED and a blue LED, which eventually made it possible to create full-color light displays. However, a major breakt...

The Ford Ranger is produced at at the Michigan Assembly Plant ,USA. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 75484 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC produced at the at the Beijing plant in China. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 122981 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

The automotive lighting supply industry further consolidated in 2022 leading to the emergence of a new player. In the first quarter, Plastic Omnium, a major supplier of automotive exterior systems, agreed to acquire the Automotive Lighting Systems (AMLS) business from AMS Osram. The French supplier claimed the acquisition offers significant synergies and value addition to its exterior body system business.  Plastic Omnium further strengthened its presence in automotive lighting when it e...

From the first rumblings out of China in December 2020 the semiconductor has gone on to dominate discussions around the automotive sector. The issues are still ongoing – just last week Jaguar Land Rover announced it was slowing production of certain models due to a continuing supply squeeze – and a few voices in the industry are being heard speculating that the crunch will last until 2026. To get a perspective on the current situation and future developments we talked with Jeremie Bouchaud, ...

In recent years, the automotive sector has undergone a technological revolution. Many of the vehicle's traditional sectors have become more technically advanced. The automobile user no longer regards it as a sole demand that the car be merely a mode of transportation, but also a comfortable environment in which to enjoy the ride. Work is being done to produce more inventive lighting systems for vehicles to satisfy the requirements of adapting to modern mobility. Image projection systems are one ...

The biennial Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Automobile in French) alternates with the Frankfurt Motor Show. The 2022 edition, which took place from 17–23 October 2022 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, returned in four years after the last one planned in March 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. The 2022 edition of the show also indicated that automotive shows are becoming a diminishing affair. The list of no-shows included Stellantis’s Fiat, Maserati and Alfa-Romeo brands; VW and ...

Plastic Omnium announced the acquisition of tier-1 lighting supplier Varroc's automotive lighting business, Varroc Lighting Systems (VLS), for EUR600 million (USD635.43 million) as part of the company's investments for sustainable growth. VLS’ expertise in advanced lighting solutions in headlamps and rear lamps, innovative technologies in optic system development and electronic control, and software for lighting will help Plastic Omnium to provide turnkey exterior lighting to vehicle manufactu...

The ongoing global chip shortage has impacted several industries, including lighting. The shortage has been aggravated by a variety of factors, ranging from changing market dynamics to geopolitical tensions. Shipping delays and shortages of semiconductors used in electronics such as LED drivers have extended lead times and impacted product availability in the lighting industry. This situation has driven several major LED product manufacturers globally to increase prices on LED luminaires and LED...

The 2022 edition of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) featured a redesigned layout, with the main exhibits and many events indoors at Huntington Place, and other events outdoors in nearby Hart Plaza. Participation was limited this year, with hometown automakers—Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis—carrying the show. Other major exhibitors were Toyota, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz. With many other big automakers and brands keeping away from the show, the ma...

According to S&P Global Mobility, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee's highest year of production will be 2023, when more than 175780 units will be produced.

The new third generation Austral mid-sized SUV is assembled at the carmaker's facility in Palencia, Spain. S&P Global Mobility forecasts that the highest year of production for this SUV will be 2023, when more than 117326 units will be produced.  

Built in Stellantis’ factory in Pomigliano, Italy ,  Dodge Hornet is expected to peak at more than 32430 in 2023, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

The new EQE SUV is assembled at the Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama. Tuscaloosa is a key production location for Mercedes-EQ luxury electric SUVs, including the EQS SUV and the EQE SUV, which will be available later this year. According to S&P Global Mobility, the highest year of production for this SUV will be 2023, when more than 36810 units will be produced.

Complexity in the software has increased to a level where it has become not just difficult to debug and maintain, but it has compounded an OEM’s already difficult situation to comprehend the overall system interactions between various electronic control units (ECUs) and to properly test all the various combinations of features in a car. Most of the software in vehicles is written by suppliers that also use third-party software and work with externals, so the OEM’s control on the result is ve...

Ambient lighting illumination has evolved and contributed to improving the interior design of the car and developed into a significant point of differentiation for several brands. As most automakers have incorporated advanced lighting technologies into their vehicles, LED light sources and related optics are allowing designers to explore mood lighting illumination for enhanced occupant mental health. LED lights that can change color and brightness while remaining small enough can be installed in...

The Tesla Model Y is manufactured at the automaker's factory in Gruenheide, Germany. Output of the mid-size SUV is expected to peak at more than 241600 in 2023, according to IHS Markit.

Automotive exterior lighting apart from headlamps is experiencing a rapid transformation owing to brand identity and personalization. Automakers and manufacturers are exploring light-emitting diode (LED) light sources and related optics, unlocking new opportunities for vehicle exterior illumination concepts. Vehicle lighting systems are evolving from just offering functional uses to becoming essential design features. Additionally, regulatory changes can have a significant impact on planning and...

Built at Regensburg factory in Germany, the third-generation BMW X1 is expected to peak at more than 132194 in 2023, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

  The 2022 Honda Civic Hatch is assembled at the Greensburg Assembly plant in United States .Production of the vehcile will peak at more than 93,700  units in 2023. 

Lasers are used to complement LED high beams, which helps in increasing the range of headlights by up to 50%. That is why many premium OEMs are equipping laser diode headlights in their higher trim as an optional or standard feature. This article looks at the major factors that will drive demand for laser headlamps, development at lighting suppliers of this technology and provide an outlook on laser suppliers. Market drivers Headlight with Adaptive driving beam (ADB): Laser equipped hea...

A dramatic surge in new COVID-19 infections and the breakout of a new sub-strain of the Omicron variant forced the mainland Chinese government to impose a full-scale lockdown in the country’s financial hub, Shanghai, from early April. Shanghai is a major automotive component manufacturing hub as well, and a prolonged lockdown in the city would cause significant disruptions to vehicle production in the region, and logistical barriers hindering export of parts from the country. The lockdown h...

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado is assembled at the Oshawa Assembly plant in southern Ontario .Production of the vehcile will peak at more than 84360  units in 2023. 

On 25 March, Plastic Omnium announced the acquisition of Automotive Lighting Systems GmbH (AMLS), formerly a joint venture between ams Osram Group and Germany’s Continental. Plastic Omnium (EPA:POM market capitalization USD2.30 billion as on 12 April 2022) acquired 100% of ams Osram’s AMLS (SWX:AMS, market capitalization USD3.43 billion as on 12 April 2022) shares with an investment of EUR65 million (USD71.39 million). In 2020, Continental and ams Osram had dissolved their 50:50 joint ven...

Suppliers are taking the merger and acquisition (M&A) route to realign their product portfolio, boost their research and development capabilities, and expand their market reach to be better prepared to respond to any disruptions in the market driven by fast-evolving technology trends. This article highlights the significance of some of the strategic deals in the lighting industry and the resultant combined strengths of the merged entities. The market for advanced lighting solutions is expect...

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disrupted production at several supplier facilities, forcing them to announce temporary production suspensions or shifts of production operations to other sites, opening another front for carmakers scrambling to stabilize their production output in light of the ongoing semiconductor shortages. Tier-1 suppliers, such as Leoni, Gentherm, Aptiv, Kostal, Kroschu, Fujikura, Sumitomo Electric, Nexans, Yazaki, and Prettl, have plants in Ukraine producing primarily wi...

On 31 January 2022, Faurecia announced that it completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA; the deal was announced on 14 August 2021. Faurecia SE (PAR:EO, market capitalization USD6.46 billion as on 21 February 2022) acquired 79.5% HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA (XETRA:HLE, market capitalization USD7.93 billion as on 21 February 2022) shares with an investment of EUR5.3 billion (USD6.0 billion). This included 60% share package of the HELLA pool shareholders as wel...

The first-generation Volkswagen ID4 is assembled at parent VW Group's factory in Zwickau Germany.Production of the new electric crossover will peak at more than 112,500 units in 2024. 

Headlamps are increasingly being used to differentiate vehicles and as a style statement. The market for light emitting diode (LED)-based headlamps is strong in Europe and North America, but demand for such headlamps is now growing rapidly even in markets such as South Asia where halogen-based headlamps still account for a large share of total headlamp demand. Factors such as electrification, the reduction in production cost, and changing consumer preference due to rising purchasing power are en...

Well-known auto parts maker Aptiv acquired automotive and IoT software developer Wind River on 11 January 2022. This is the first automotive acquisition of this year. This deal is the biggest since 2017 and the divergence of Delphi by Aptiv. Aptiv Aptiv PLC, formerly known as Delphi Automotive PLC, is a tier-1 supplier for the automotive industry. Aptiv designs and manufactures vehicle components and provides electrical and electronic and active safety technology solutions to the global au...

The second-generation Opel/Vauxhall Mokka is assembled at the Stellantis Poissy facility in France. Output of this model, at the French plant, is expected to peak at more than 136,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit.

Produced by the Nissan since 2006, with most of the European volume built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK. Nissan’s compact crossover SUV is now in its third generation. With production starting in June 2021, the all-new Qashqai is Nissan's first model built in Europe using a significant number of lightweight aluminum panels, IHS Markit forecast production will reach its highest level of 303,000 units in 2023.

The first-generation Audi e-tron GT is assembled alongside the Audi R8 at Audi’s Boellinger Hoefe facility in Germany. Output of this model is expected to peak at 14,000 units in 2026, according to IHS Markit.

The second-generation BMW 2-Series 2-door coupé (G42) is the first BMW designed by BMW of Mexico. It is also assembled in BMW's San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico. Output of this model is expected to peak at around 43,000 units in 2024, according to IHS Markit.

The fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee is assembled in Detroit Michigan, USA. Output of this model at the Michigan plants is expected to peak at around 480,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit.

Automotive rear lighting is undergoing a rapid transition to enable safer driving and enhance the look of a vehicle. Automakers are paying greater attention in designing the lighting system of their vehicles’ rear than ever before, given its growing importance in brand differentiation and personalization. In doing so, they are actively collaborating with their tier-1 suppliers from the early stage of their new model development. Rear lights include taillamps, brake lamps, reverse lamps, tur...

The lighting domain within the automotive industry has been rapidly progressing in recent years and is no longer just a basic aspect but rather a very important component for safety and aesthetics. As lighting advances, MicroLED is the point of focus owing to its capabilities and flexible build structure reflecting the evolution of in-vehicle center information displays (CIDs), cluster, and infotainment systems that have transitioned from displaying basic information to high-level vehicle inform...

The fifth-generation Nissan Pathfinder is assembled at the Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant plant in Tennessee, USA. Output of this model at the Tennessee plant is expected to peak at around 115,000 units in 2024, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail autotechinsight@ihsmarkit.com

The second-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost is assembled at the Rolls-Royce plant in Goodwood, West Sussex, UK. Output of this model is expected to peak at more than 2,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail autotechinsight@ihsmarkit.com

The second-generation Skoda Rapid is assembled at the Volkswagen Group Kaluga facility in Russia. Output of this model at the Russian plant is expected to peak at more than 27,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail autotechinsight@ihsmarkit.com.

The IHS Markit light vehicle production forecast has been cut by 6.2% or 5.02 million units in 2021, and by 9.3% or 8.45 million units in 2022, to stand at 75.8 million units and 82.6 million units, respectively. For 2023, we have reduced the forecast by 1.05 million units or 1.1% to 92 million units; this is a front-loaded adjustment and from the second quarter output levels are expected to be able to accelerate as supply chains return to normal. If this is the case then strong pent-up demand a...

Lighting is becoming the new chrome. It is made possible by use of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources and related optics, which are unlocking new opportunities for design. Light-based applications in cars no longer fulfill only functional tasks, but are also increasingly becoming elementary components of design. Ambient lighting helps amplify the design language, contours key elements of the car interior and reinforces brand identity. The functional role of interior lighting has grown from...

Design trends within the automotive industry undoubtedly spread across the industry like a wildfire, and this can certainly be applied to illuminated grilles and logos as well. Exterior lighting other than headlamps and taillamps is increasingly being used to differentiate vehicles and as a style statement. Presently, lighting such as grille and logo illumination is mostly being used in premium vehicles, including the D-segment and above. The key function of the grille is to provide a gateway fo...

The fourth-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson is assembled at Hyundai’s facility in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Output of the new version of the compact crossover SUV is expected to peak at more than 184,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation Lincoln Aviator is assembled at Ford’s facility in Chicago SHO, United States. Output of the new mid-sized luxury SUV is expected to peak at more than 2,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

IHS Markit expects to see projection solutions in most of the vehicles in some shape or form in the long term. However, this is possible only when suppliers offer scalable solutions for each car segment. After speaking to a few key suppliers in the area (including Texas Instruments and Osram Continental) regarding this issue, IHS Markit expects majority of the vehicles to feature projection solutions in the long term, starting with static ones, then gradually offering dynamic ones. Scalable s...

The second-generation BMW 4 Series is assembled at BMW’s facility in Dingolfing, Germany. Output of the new version of the two-door coupe is expected to peak at more than 45,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The fourth-generation Skoda Octavia is assembled at the Volkswagen Group’s facility in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, as well as Russia contract manufacturer GAZ’s plant in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Output of the new version of the five-door compact car is expected to peak at more than 233,000 units in Mlada Boleslav in 2022 and peak at 27,000 units in Nizhny Novgorod in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways publishe...

The second-generation 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA is assembled at Daimler's facility in Kecskemet, Hungary. Output of the new version of the compact sedan is expected to peak at more than 98,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation 2021 Jeep Compass is assembled at Stellantis’ facility in Melfi, Italy. Output of the new version of the compact crossover SUV is expected to peak at more than 77,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are light-emitting panels made from organic (carbon-based) materials that emit light when excited by a current. OLEDs can be used in taillights and interior lighting, delivering a homogeneous light. When used in taillamps, in each unit, two electrodes—at least one of which is transparent—incorporate various extremely thin layers of organic semiconductor materials. OLED lighting has immense potential, but its high cost of production remains a big challeng...

The first-generation 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc is assembled at Volkswagen’s facility in Osnabruck, Germany. Output of the new version of the subcompact crossover is expected to peak at more than 15,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

LEDs, which are efficient and cost effective, are the dominating light source when it comes to automotive lighting applications. Another interesting technology that developed slowly is the laser light. At present, laser lights are mainly used for high-beam applications in conjunction with some other lighting technologies, usually LEDs. The laser technology is quite expensive, so its market is niche. Laser is seen in premium vehicles and is generally available as an optional feature. Laser hea...

The first-generation DS 3 Crossback is assembled at Stellantis’ factory in Poissy, France. Output of the new version of the small crossover is expected to peak at more than 24,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The third-generation 2019 Porsche Cayenne Coupe is assembled at Porsche's facility in Bratislava, Slovakia. Output of the new version of the mid-sized SUV is expected to peak at more than 22,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Light projection can be used to transform a vehicle and its surroundings. Not only does light have the ability to increase safety and functionality but it also offers manufacturers the ability to differentiate their vehicles with lighting design and create customizable driving experiences. Nowadays, a number of cars, mostly premium, are offering what is called projection lighting. Such technology can be used for light carpets, for instance,&...

The fourth-generation 2020 Seat Leon is assembled at Seat's facility in Martorell, Spain. Output of the new version of the hatchback is expected to peak at more than 129,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The fifth-generation 2020 Toyota Supra is assembled at Toyota's facility in Graz #2, Austria. Output of the new version of the sports grand tourer is expected to peak at more than 8,800 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The fourth-generation 2020 Audi A3 is assembled at Audi's facility in Ingolstadt #1, Germany. Output of the new version of the compact sedan is expected to peak at more than 59,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation Renault Captur is assembled at Renault's facility in Valladolid, Spain. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Renault Captur from the plant is expected to peak in 2022 at over 229,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

There has been growing interest from designers in moldable optical silicones for improving the performance of lamps or luminaires. Recent developments aim to improve the integration of silicone optics into the LED fixture, for instance, by overmolding optical grade silicone onto thermoplastic substrates. “Silicone is currently a material of choice when designers of the lighting systems can’t design using thermoplastic and/or glass due to their limitations—either in terms of performances un...

The second-generation Land Rover Defender is assembled at Land Rover's facility in Nitra, Slovakia. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Land Rover Defender from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 54,000 units.  If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

IHS Markit anticipates a strong demand for advanced lighting solutions in 2021 despite some challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although, there are likely to be a few cancellations and delays in projects in the next couple of years, the industry has plenty of new technologies under development that are expected to drive down the cost of advanced lighting solutions while improving safety and style in the long run. IHS Markit expects to see more digitalization of automotive lighting...

The twelfth-generation Toyota Corolla is assembled at Toyota's facility in Tupelo, United States. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Toyota Corolla from the plant is expected to peak in 2022 at over 160,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Intelligent Smart Embedded LED (ISELED) technology is gaining momentum in the industry. The growth of the technology is reflected in the growing and diversified membership of the ISELED Alliance, the goal of which is to offer a comprehensive system solution around ISELED technology. Besides interior lighting, ISELED technology can be used in exterior lighting, such as grill and number plate illumination, and symbol projection. However, the alliance is mainly focused on interior car lighting. “...

The seventh-generation Subaru Legacy is assembled at Subaru's facility in Lafayette #1, United States. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Subaru Legacy from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 29,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The first-generation BMW X7 is assembled at BMW's facility in Kaliningrad, Russia. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation BMW X7 from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 2,200 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The evolution of the automotive lighting industry is still ongoing. From the bulbs in headlamps to LEDs and sophisticated headlamp systems, its innovation is far from over. In fact, the adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlamp system has become a hot topic in the automotive lighting industry. ADB, also known as matrix lighting, multibeam, or glare-free high beam, allows drivers to permanently use the high beam without blinding oncoming traffic. The technology acts as an active safety feature as it h...

The third-generation Ford Kuga is assembled at Ford's facility in Valencia, Spain. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Ford Kuga from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 151,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The shift from halogen/HID bulbs to LEDs in headlights and taillamps is a major trend in the automotive industry. In many Asian countries such as India, OEMs are beginning to offer reflector or projector-based LED headlights, with no adaptive driving beam (ADB), in the upper trims of lower segment models. This trend has gained momentum in the past two to three years―the lower trims are still mostly fitted with halogen technology. “In India specifically, OEMs’ strategy has been to shift to ...