The market for GaN packaged LEDs in automotive applications is forecast to reach the US$1 billion mark in 2014 for the first time, according to IHS.
Industry revenues are projected to grow 11% from US$943 million in 2013 to US$1.05 billion in 2014. Growth comes from the exterior applications in the vehicle such as headlamps and daytime running lights, where LED penetration is still low, but the LED value per vehicle can be quite high. Osram, Nichia and Lumileds are ranked by IHS as the leading three suppliers to the market and are particularly dominant in exterior applications, the firm said.
Audi has been a leader in the use of LEDs in its vehicles (especially in daytime running lights) since 2008, and many other manufacturers have followed the steady trend toward more LED. However, many vehicles that do not use LED lighting still remain, even at the high end of the market. For example, the cutting-edge Tesla Model S retailing for approximately US$100,000 does not yet have LED headlamps. Moreover, daytime running lights, cornering lights and indoor ambient lights are only available as an option rather than as standard.
LED lighting should increase in vehicles over the next several years and the market is forecast to grow further to US$1.3 billion in 2018, added IHS.
