Global automotive supplier Forvia Hella is enhancing its involvement in software-based business models by establishing a new company, Hella Ignite GmbH. This new entity is focused on accelerating the creation of software-only products efficiently and should grow to an international team of about 40 software development experts by the end of 2025. Kay Talmi, Hella Ignite GmbH's Managing Director, emphasized the increasing importance of software in everyday mobility, particularly as the market for...

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €30 million financing package for OLEDWorks, a US-based company specializing in next-generation lighting solutions based on organic LED (next-generation display technology OLED). This funding, supported by the European Commission's InvestEU program, is intended to boost OLEDWorks' manufacturing and research and development capabilities, particularly in the automotive sector. The majority of this investment will be utilized in OLEDWork...

Marelli Holdings has received interim approval from the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to access up to $519 million out of a total $1.1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing. This approval pertains to Marelli's First Day motions related to its voluntary Chapter 11 petitions. Marelli filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure its long-term debt on June 11. The secured financing, along with revenue from Marelli's ongoing operations, is intended to provi...

According to Gabriel Padilla, general director of the National Auto Parts Industry (La Industria Nacional de Autopartes: INA), the association of automotive components suppliers in Mexico, about 92% of auto parts manufactured in the country comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations, allowing them to be exempt from tariffs when exported to the US. The remaining 8% face an average tariff of 27%. “We are one of the sectors with the highest level of compliance with the USMC...

Continental has decided to name its Automotive Group Sector business, which is set to become an independent company, Aumovio, the company announced on the sidelines of Auto Shanghai 2025. According to the Germany-based supplier, the new name embodies a strong market position, rich heritage and technological expertise, all aimed at transforming the future of mobility through innovative solutions. Pending approval at the Continental annual shareholders' meeting on April 25, Aum...

In a press release on April 15, Continental announced that it will highlight its innovations aimed at transforming future mobility through software-defined vehicle technologies, focusing on safety, autonomy and sustainability at Auto Shanghai 2025. During a press conference scheduled for April 23, Philipp von Hirschheydt, an executive board member responsible for the Group Sector Automotive, will reveal the name of an independent Automotive company that will emerge from Continental's planned spi...

At the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2025, scheduled to be held from April 23 to May 2 in Shanghai, Valeo will present its innovations across four strategic areas of smart electrification, advanced driver assistance systems and user experience, lighting styling, and commitment to sustainable mobility. In the field of smart electrification, Valeo will present an ultracompact On-Board Charger and DC-DC Converter Combo ready for bidirectional charging; the Predict4Range software capable of boosting ran...

Chinese electric-car maker Nio is implementing a new organizational restructuring to focus more on cost control, with William Li, the company’s founder, chairman and CEO, increasing his involvement in the supply chain management, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on March 10. The CnEVPost news report cites local media 36kr as the original source of this news. It said that the electric-vehicle maker has launched an internal management mechanism called Cell Business Uni...

The automotive industry is grappling with a myriad of supply chain disruptions that have become increasingly common since the pandemic struck. In addition to Brexit complexities, rising material costs, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and economic instability are forcing companies to rethink their logistics and sourcing strategies on the fly. While improvements are anticipated in the global car chip shortage, challenges persist. As Nimish Ashar, associate director of E/E & Semicon...

As the automotive industry evolves, suppliers must prioritize regulatory compliance due to stricter environmental laws linked to climate change. Investing in new technologies is essential to avoid penalties and enhance competitiveness. We examine the regulatory challenges facing suppliers and share insights from industry executives in S&P Global Mobility’s 2025 Automotive Supplier Outlook. Regulatory pressures: A catalyst for change Automotive suppliers are facing numerous challenges...

The European automotive supply industry is currently grappling with a severe labor shortage, exacerbated by record attrition levels that have plagued it over the past few years. This alarming situation has led to job losses that surpass even the darkest days of the pandemic. Despite optimistic forecasts for new job creation, the reality reveals a staggering net loss of nearly 56,000 positions since 2020, with the worst yet to come, according to The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (C...

In a press release on Jan. 22, Aptiv announced that its board of directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate its Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) business from Aptiv, creating two independent companies, each optimally positioned to serve their customers and create value for their shareholders. Benefits of the separation transaction As separate companies, Aptiv and EDS are each expected to benefit from: Strategies and operating initiatives that are focused on each company...

In a press release on Jan. 8, LG Innotek announced its participation in Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, held in Las Vegas from Jan. 7 to 10. The company plans to showcase its innovations in future mobility at a 3,500-square-meter booth located at the entrance of the West Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The booth will feature a mockup of a future vehicle equipped with 15 types of components for vehicle sensing, communication and lighting, demonstrating the company's capabili...

In a press release dated Dec. 9, German automotive tier 1 supplier Continental announced that its executive board has reached the decision to spin off its Automotive group sector. This decision follows a detailed evaluation process that began in early August. The plan is to seek approval from the supervisory board in March 2025 and then present the proposal for a spin-off to Continental AG's annual shareholders' meeting on April 25, 2025. If approved, the spin-off is anticipated to be complet...

Hyundai Mobis has unveiled its "Value-up" business strategy during the 2024 CEO Investor Day, held in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 19. The mid-to-long term business strategy aims to achieve an average annual revenue growth of 8% and an operating margin ranging from 5% to 7% by 2027. Under the new business strategy, Hyundai Mobis plans to significantly expand its revenue outside its parent, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), and also the owners of Hyundai, Genesis and Kia. The leading South Korean auto...

India’s leading automotive supplier Samvardhana Motherson International Limited (SAMIL) is planning to raise $715 million through share sale, Reuters reported on Sept. 4. The supplier will raise capital through a qualified institutional placement (QIP), which listed companies in India generally used to raise funds from large institutions. SAMIL plans to use the proceeds from the share sale to repay debt and fund some expansion and certain capital expenditure. SAMIL is a major supplier of wi...

AMS Osram has launched a China Development Center (CDC) to drive business growth and technological advancements within Greater China, the company said in a press release on Aug. 12. The new center is a part of AMS Osram's commitment to the Chinese market to enhance customer service and quickly adapt to market changes to maintain a competitive edge, particularly in lighting, sensing and visualization sectors. The initiative underlines AMS Osram’s "In China, for China" philosophy and aim...

Forvia Hella has announced a plan to restructure lighting production at its main plant in Lippstadt, Germany, according to a company’s press release on June 26. As part of the plan, the company will focus exclusively on the production of high-margin, advanced headlamps at the plant and relocate production of other lighting systems to its other plants.  This decision is in response to evolving market conditions in Europe, characterized by reduced vehicle production, high costs, and chan...

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares believes that the ongoing global transition to electric vehicles is a game of severe cost-cutting, and automotive suppliers must figure out how to reduce costs and adapt to the new requirements or risk losing their business in the next five to 10 years, according to a news report published by The Detroit News on May 29. Tavares was speaking during a fireside chat at the Berstein Strategic Decisions Conference in New York City, the report said. Tavares said tha...

Stanley Electric has decided to dissolve and liquidate one of its consolidated subsidiaries in Japan, the company said in a press release on May 16. The subsidiary, Stanley Ina Works, has been operating as a manufacturing base for more than 50 years for the Japanese supplier’s Electronic Components business and Applied Electronic business. It produces LCD and their applied products — electronic substrates products for LED car lights. The company has decided to dissolve and liquidate as pa...

AMS Osram is sustainably strengthening its development and production site in Premstätten, Austria. Aldo Kamper, CEO of AMS-Osram AG, together with Federal Minister Martin Kocher and the Governor of Styria Christopher Drexler presented plans to invest a total of €588 million in the development and production site in Premstätten by 2030, as reported in a press release on May 13. Within the framework of the European Chips Act, funding of up to €200 million has been app...

Marelli, a leading mobility technology supplier, will showcase its latest innovations at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition from April 25–May 4. The company's booth will offer an invitation-only, curated experience that introduces guests to its approach to Design-Led Innovation. Marelli will highlight its technology, with a particular focus on the China market, where it has a long-standing presence, a company press release stated April 8. The booth will take visitors through th...

ZF, a global technology company, has opened a new campus in Monterrey, Mexico, which houses four corporate function hubs for North America and the company's first research and development center in the country. The campus is located within the FINSA Guadalupe Industrial Park and covers an area of 43,294 square meters. The new building completes the Monterrey campus, which is a strategic complex for the leading automotive technology company at a regional and global level. The campus featu...

Marelli, a global automotive supplier, has developed an innovative lighting domain control unit platform in China, which can control vehicles' front lights, rear lights and 360° lighting features. The platform is designed to integrate with software-defined vehicle architectures and supports over-the-air updates and continuous deployment of new features. Marelli has also introduced the "MCU Less" intelligent driver concept, which enables the centralization of lighting software into domain ele...

Röhm has expanded its production capacity for Plexiglas® molding compounds at its largest global production site in Worms, Germany, it stated in a press release dated Feb. 22. The newly constructed plant features an energy-efficient production process, reducing the carbon footprint of molding compound production. The investment is in response to a growing demand, particularly from the automotive industry, and positions Röhm as the European market leader and second globally. The expansion i...

AMS Osram has revised its microLED strategy following an "unexpected cancellation of [a] cornerstone project," it said in a press release dated Feb. 28. The supplier announced that it expects a non-cash impairment charge of between €600 million-€900 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. AMS Osram also revised its mid-term revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6-8% on a like-for-like basis and expects a positive impact to its cash-flow profile within the next 24 month...

OLEDWorks launched a new automotive brand called Atala at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, according to an official press release on Jan. 9. The brand offers advanced technology for automotive lighting applications, including organic LED (next-generation display technology OLED) lighting products designed specifically for tier 1 suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. OLEDWorks also launched the Atala microsite, which features updated OLED technology resources and information on ...

Antolin opened its first factory in India specializing in lighting, human-machine interface (HMI) systems and electronics, thus improving its industrial and technological capabilities in one of the largest automotive markets in the world. The new plant is located in the western state of Maharashtra’s industrial town of Chakan, on the outskirts of Pune City, India, which houses several top automotive manufacturers. Owning cutting-edge processes and technologies, Antolin will produce adv...

Mercedes-Benz has received permits for special exterior marker lights for automated driving in California and Nevada, according to an official press release on December 19. The California permit is initially limited to two years while the Nevada permit applies to Mercedes-Benz Model Year 2026 production vehicles and will remain valid until a statutory modification is achieved with the state legislature. The inclusion of marker lights makes the automated driving system’s status clearly visib...

Valeo, a leading automotive technology company, will showcase its cutting-edge innovations at CES 2024, solidifying its commitment to shaping the future of mobility. Its SCALA™ 3 LiDAR, a CES 2024 Innovation Award Honoree, will provide visitors with the opportunity to experience and learn more about Valeo's AI-based perception software and how it helps classify objects identified by the LiDAR in its point cloud, the company said on Dec 19. Valeo Predict4Range, is a software solution that pr...

As we approach the end of 2023, our “Talking Heads” series delves into conversations with the practice leads at AutoTechInsight. The aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their respective domains. The automotive industry faces challenges and opportunities shaped by the pandemic and technological advancements. Electrification is a key factor impacting new car prices, especially in Europe. A potential price war among EVs in mainland China is a concern. Afforda...

ZKW is expanding its manufacturing facility in Silao, Mexico, to accelerate its international growth and prepare for the US vehicle market, Mexico Now reported Dec. 6. The company has invested over €100 million in the expansion of the plant, which will result in about 7,000 square meters of additional production space and 1,100 new jobs by 2025. The enhancement is the third stage of the plant’s expansion. ZKW has been producing lighting systems for automakers such as BMW, Ford Lincoln, Ge...

Stellantis NV has officially opened its SUSTAINera Circular Economy Hub (CE Hub) at the Mirafiori Complex in Turin, Italy, the vehicle manufacturer announced Nov. 23. The new facility was inaugurated by John Elkann, chairman of Stellantis, and Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, among other senior company executives last week. Stellantis said that the new recycling facility, which is spread across an area of 73,000 square meters, is set up with an investment of €40 million. The carmaker said...

AMS Osram has signed two asset transactions as part of its recently announced financing plan, it said in a press release dated October 30. The company entered into a sale and leaseback agreement for its new 8-inch LED manufacturing facility in Kulim, Malaysia, expected to generate proceeds of about €400 million. AMS Osram also closed a divestment transaction for a phased-out manufacturing facility in Asia, receiving proceeds of mid-double digit millions in euro. The Kulim facility is expected ...

In response to the United Auto Workers' (UAW's) decision to expand the strike to Ford Motor’s strategically important manufacturing facility, the Kentucky Truck Plant, the carmaker said that it is a "grossly irresponsible but unsurprising move" by the labor union. In a statement on October 11, Ford said that the move to impact the operations at its Kentucky, US, plant was not surprising as it is known that the labor union’s leadership aims to keep the Detroit Three wounded for...

Ford Motor Co. made a new comprehensive offer to the United Auto Workers (UAW), with hopes to reach an agreement with the striking workers on October 2, the company said on October 3. The new master labor agreement will remain valid until April 30, 2028, given the labor union accepts all the offerings made by the automaker. “It is the seventh and strongest offer Ford has made on the key economic issues since August 29,” Ford said in a statement October 3, adding that its latest offer w...

Suprajit Engineering has announced that business from its Matamoros plant in Mexico is affected due to the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike in the US, according to a company press release on September 20. Suprajit supplies auto parts to General Motors, Ford and Stellantis from the Mexican plant. The three automakers form about 50% of the Matamoros business. Operations at the plant is likely to be affected to the extent of reduction in volumes. Suprajit also said that no other plant is af...

Samsung group companies Samsung SDI Co. Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Samsung Display Co. Ltd. have announced a collaborative effort to showcase a holistic range of automotive solutions at Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) Mobility 2023, a company press release said September 4. The showcase is set to redefine the landscape of connected mobility and captivate consumers and enterprises globally. In its sixth appearance at the show, batt...

Intelligent Smart Embedded LED (ISELED) Alliance has announced that three manufacturers of microcontrollers and Arduino-compatible LED driver and development boards, namely AutoChips, Zhixin Semiconductor and Hebatronic, have joined the group, in a press release dated August 21. “We are pleased that the ISELED Alliance network continues to grow with the addition of three new members. The Alliance aims to build a rich ecosystem around ISELED technology and provide comprehensive system s...

Automotive supplier Hella plans to construct an attractive, sustainable and representative new building complex, particularly in the western area of the current company headquarters on Rixbecker Straße. In the future, all development and administrative functions of the Lippstadt location will work there in one place, the company announced on July 28. Hella has assigned the planning of the new headquarters to the renowned Düsseldorf architectural firm RKW Architektur+, which, in addition to ...

In a press release announcement July 10, Liteon Technology said that it will participate in Electronica China 2023 with a focus on showcasing its automotive optoelectronic semiconductors and sensing solutions, and comprehensively displaying three core technologies of intelligent illumination, photocoupler isolation and smart-sensing applications. Liteon will exhibit its self-developed noctilucent LED signal lights, as well as facial recognition applications for vaults, which have been joint...

Marelli has partnered with Motherson to open the Motherson Automotive Lighting Tool Room (MALT) in India, it said in a press release on June 30. This is reportedly the first-ever tool room in India dedicated to automotive lighting. “We are delighted to celebrate the inauguration of this important site, announced in 2021. The new facility will allow us to build locally and autonomously all the tools needed for our joint venture, representing a great step forward in terms of speed, competitiv...

Grupo Antolin has issued updates on interior and lighting projects, in a press release dated May 25. It is currently working on an ambient light project for the opening of the panoramic sunroof of the new Safari model from Tata Motors. The perimeter lighting developed by Antolin, in monochromatic red and blue colors, outlines a glass dome panoramic sunroof system. The solution will be implemented in other upcoming models in the Indian market. Antolin is also working with car manufacturers to ...

BMW Group announced that it has begun operations at its Light Channel Next facility in Germany, in a press release May 16. This will allow developers to optimize all components of automotive lights through simulation of different scenarios on real models. Ambient lighting production and testing will also be done at the facility. “For the BMW Group, light is a topic that is constantly gaining in importance. With the new Light Channel Next, we look forward to a future of bringing innovat...

Canadian auto-component maker Magna announced on May 3 that it has been awarded a high-volume contract with a Europe-based global premium original equipment manufacturer to supply its new eDrive system (eDS Mid). The eDrive is planned for 2027 model sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and sedans, with production expected to begin in 2026. Magna’s eDS Mid is a compact, high-speed e-motor that offers a scalable power range from 100 kW to 140 kW, optimized for 800V. As a high-voltage eDrive system f...

On April 18, ISELED Alliance announced that Blue Whale, Lextar, LITEON, Technica, USI/Asteelflash and YTMicro have joined the organization. This takes the current number of companies in the open industry alliance to 52. ISELED technology was launched by the ISELED Alliance in 2016. ISELED is based on smart LED modules. “Growing to over 50 members in just a few years is a big achievement for the ISELED Alliance. More and more leading microcontroller and LED manufacturers are now joining the ...

Grupo Antolin will showcase multiple automotive interior, lighting and user interface/user experience (UI/UX) technologies at Auto Shanghai 2023, it said in a press release dated April 17. Firstly, the company will present its ITACA Concept Car which combines its lighting and human-machine interface (HMI), electronics, backlit headliner and a purifying console. Its keyless access system uses biometrics. The car also sees the integration of driver and occupant monitoring systems with communi...

Valeo will display numerous automotive products and technologies at the Auto Shanghai Conference this week, according to an April 14 press release. The supplier will showcase technologies in the areas of access (phone as a key), monitoring (interior and driver monitoring system) and interactive surfaces. Valeo Lighting Experience and the Digital Twin will also be presented. The artificial intelligence (AI) systems visualize holistic designs in real time by combining style, functionality&...

Volvo has announced that its new EX90 vehicle will feature a suite of 72 SunLike LEDs in the interior, according to a company press release dated April 13. The SunLike LEDs are supplied by Seoul Semiconductor. The new, nonflickering lighting addition delivers low-light reflection and a high color index. “By utilising the spectrum of light emitted from the SunLike LEDs, the progressive materials and interior design of the Volvo EX90 stand out more clearly and without colour distortion. Compl...

Jagan Lamps has received two separate orders to supply automotive lamps, it said in a press release on March 29. The Indian supplier has received export orders to supply automotive lamps to one of the largest global automotive components makers for an order value worth over $1 million. Separately, it has also received confirmed orders for supplying automotive bulbs in India for 550 million Indian rupees for the financial year 2023–24. Significance: The Haryana, India-based company manufa...

Marelli will showcase its latest innovations at Auto Shanghai 2023, it said in a press release dated April 6. The company will showcase its automotive lighting and sensing technologies which allow 360° illumination around the car. Examples include Near-Field Ground Projection which allows for welcome, safety and communication messages to be displayed on the ground surrounding the vehicle and illuminated front panels. Significance: Marelli will not only display interior solutions at the ...

Samyang Corporation, a leader in the South Korean market for polycarbonate (PC) used in automobile headlamps, is targeting to expand its presence in the global market by developing high-permeability polycarbonate for daytime running lights (DRLs). A chemical and food subsidiary of Samyang Group, the company announced on April 10 that it has developed high-transmittance PC for DRLs of automobiles. DRLs are lamps that automatically turn on when the car is started, helpi...

Italian automotive supplier Marelli is set to lay off 400 employees in Italy following an agreement with workers’ unions, Reuters reported on March 21. The move comes in the backdrop of rising costs of raw materials and falling sales due to supply chain issues. Marelli will invest $78.7 million this year to strengthen production in 15 Italian sites. “On redundancies a framework agreement was reached that rules out forced layoffs," Italian unions said in a joint statement after striking a ...

HELLA has announced the initiation of the NALYSES research project to develop climate friendly automotive headlamps, according to a company press release on 18 January. The research project also sees participation from BMW Group, Covestro, geba, Miele, the Heinz Nixdorf Institute of the University of Pa-derborn, the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronics Design Technology IEM and the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences. The three-year project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of ...

Opsys Tech has announced that it will display a lidar-integrated smart taillight solution codeveloped with SL Corp., a South Korea-based leading auto parts supplier, according to a press release on 3 January 2023. The smart taillight solution will be displayed in the Opsys Tech booth at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. This smart lighting solution with integrated Opsys Tech lidar is targeted for production cars as early as 2025. SL Corp. is a global supplier to several major a...

SOSLAB has announced the release of its next-generation 3D solid-state lidar ‘ML-X’ for automotive lamps at the CES 2023 to be held in Las Vegas, United States, according to a press release on 2 January 2022. SOSLAB has launched the ML-X, a new device that reduces size while increasing range performance and resolution by more than double over the previous generation. By using a unique system-on-chip (SoC) for laser control in the transmission unit, the ML-X quadrupled angular resolution (...

Hyundai Mobis has announced that it will demonstrate its products in its largest exhibition space ever at CES 2023, where it will unveil a new convergence technology optimized for purpose-built vehicle (PBV), according to a press release on 5 December 2022. Hyundai Mobis will debut its new PBV concept cars, M.Vision TO and M.Vision HI, with the theme "Hi! For a Better Tomorrow!" "TO" denotes going "toward" the future, while "HI" signifies 'a humanity-oriented' driving experience.  Hyunda...

In a press release on 29 November 2022, Magna announced that it will demonstrate its latest mobility technologies at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, US. The company will highlight its latest technologies in the areas of eco-innovation, driver assistance, distinction and experience, and new mobility—reinforcing how the company’s complete vehicle and systems expertise enables it to develop solutions in these areas. “The automotive landscape is rapidly evolving, and CES allows us to kick off the ne...

Buick has launched all new model year (MY) 2023 Century MPV with improved and intuitive in-vehicle features, the automaker said in a press release on 3 November. Cesar Toledo, general director of Buick Sales and Marketing at SAIC-GM, said, “Buick is the pioneer and ongoing leader in the luxury MPV segment in China. Our successful GL8 family has continued to raise the bar over the years.” Significance: The MY 2023 Century features in-vehicle partition wall with an integrated 32” slidi...

Covestro has announced that it will showcase smart and sustainable material solutions for vehicle interiors at the Automotive Interiors Expo in Stuttgart, Germany, it said in a press release on 3 November. Significance: Covestro will showcase Makrolon Ai polycarbonate edge-lit composite color material that may range from transparent to translucent, allowing for a variety of possibilities for ambient and dynamic automotive interior lighting. The combination of this material with the lightweigh...

Kyocera Corporation has developed a new thin-film process technology for making unique silicon (Si) substrates for gallium nitride (GaN)-based micro-light sources, including short-cavity lasers and micro-LEDs, it said in a press release on 2 November. Kyocera claims the new process enables masking the GaN layer with a non-growing substance prevents bonding between the Si substrate and the GaN layer, substantially easing the peeling process. Additionally, the process can deposit low-defect GaN...

Toyota has launched model year (MY) 2023 Crown with enhanced interior features, the Japanese automaker said in a press release on 25 October. Significance: The MY 2023 sedan features standard 8-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats. Adjustments for the front seat include slide, recline, tilt, height adjustment, and lumbar support (driver seat only). For ultimate comfort, the rear seats have plenty of padding and bolster support. The Crown also includes standard heated front se...

Alfa Romeo has launched model year (MY) 2023 Giulia and Stelvio with enhanced lighting and interior features, the automaker said in a press release on 27 October. Significance: The models are powered by adaptive front lighting system that constantly adjusts dipped beam headlights based on speed and driving conditions. Additionally, the lighting system includes glare-free high beam segmented technology which in poor lighting conditions can automatically detect both directions of traffic to avo...

ŠKODA has launched Enyaq RS iV electric vehicle (EV) with updated interior and lighting features, the automaker said in a press release on 25 October. Significance: The Enyaq RS iV comes with the crystal face as standard; 131 LEDs illuminate the vertical ribs as well as the horizontal bar of the ŠKODA grille. They are combined with the RS model's full LED Matrix headlights and full LED rear lights to produce an animated welcome effect. The Enyaq RS iV comes with a long list of standard feat...

Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled all-new Grandeur sedan, badged as Azera in markets outside Korea equipped with environment friendly in-vehicle materials, the automaker said in a press release on 19 October. SangYup Lee, EVP and Head of Hyundai Design Center, said, “The seventh-generation Grandeur expresses our respect for the past and commitment to move on to the future. We are creating a new standard for the premium sedan market through emotive design and a refined customer experience.�...

ROHM has announced via a press release on 19 October that the company is expanding production of sustainable methyl methacrylate (MMA) at its US, Chinese, and European facilities.   Hans-Peter Hauck, COO, ROHM, said, “With the commissioning, we will further improve our delivery times and delivery reliability worldwide.” According to the press release, MMA is a necessary prerequisite in the manufacturing of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which ROHM sells under the brand Plexi...

General Motors’ Cadillac has launched its flagship all-electric Celestiq model highlighting modular interior and interactive lighting features, the automaker said in a press release on 17 October. Tristan Murphy, interior design manager, Celestiq, said, “The interior is defined by long uninterrupted surfaces and theme lines; the sense of movement is all around you. With such a clean design, it allowed the details to shine, emphasizing precision in even the smallest of areas, truly highlig...

Volvo has unveiled interior details of the all-electric EX90 sport utility vehicle (SUV) built with carbon-neutral materials, the Swedish automaker said in a press release on 18 October.    Cecilia Stark, senior design manager, Volvo Cars, said, “We’ve chosen materials based on our values. These choices leave behind old-fashioned automotive luxury and express our Scandinavian foundations. With the Volvo EX90 we take customer well-being as a design starting point.” Significa...

BMW has launched all-new M2 with updated interior and lighting features, the German automaker said in a press release on 12 October. Significance: The M2 offers standard and heated M Sport seats in Vernasca Black or Cognac leather, with prominent side bolsters and contour lines in the well-known BMW M colors around the backrest and head restraint. The standard seats are electronically adjustable and have integrated headrests with an illuminated M logo. Seatbelts in the vehicle also have the B...

Marelli has announced that the company is showcasing advanced electronics, interiors and lighting solutions at the International Suppliers Fair 2022 (IZB) in Wolfsburg, Germany, it said in a press release on 12 October. Significance: The highlights include Marelli’s haptic dashboard based on vibration feedback instead of physical buttons along with a wide range of decorative materials that can combined to create a variety of decorative, informative, and interactive solutions. With increasin...

Geely backed Zeekr electric vehicle (EV) has unveiled interior details of the company’s Zeekr 009 multipurpose vehicle (MPV) based on the sustainable experience architecture (SEA) platform, Pandaily reported on 10 October.   Significance: The interior of the vehicle is sleek and has a pressure-relief cockpit. The second row is equipped with a small, hidden table board and a 15.6” screen that supports electric multiangle adjustment. The 15.6” floating central screen has HDMI an...

DS Automobiles has launched DS 9 Opera Premiere limited edition that embodies exclusive French-inspired interiors, the automaker said in a press release on 5 October.   Significance: The interior of the DS 9 Opera Premiere is adorned with Pearl Grey Nappa leather over the entire dashboard and door panels, interspersed with Pearl stitching. In keeping with the trim, the seats in the iconic watchstrap upholstery are covered in a light Pearl Grey Nappa leather. Pebble Grey Alcantara is upho...

Grupo Antolin announced that the company will showcase its in-vehicle solutions at the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) 2022 in Wolfsburg, Germany, it said in a press release on 7 October. Significance: Grupo Antolin’s latest proposal for convenient vehicle access is a combined software and hardware solution for seamless integration into the driver's door or any other exterior area. For car access, the system includes biometrics (facial authentication, voice authentication, and fingerprin...

Instrument Systems has announced that the company will showcase its LumiTop 4000 2D color measurement camera for testing micro-LED (μLED) arrays in adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) applications, All Electronics reported on 10 October. According to the report, the 12-megapixel (MP) camera simultaneously measures individual LEDs of the array and, because of its high measuring speed, avoids the temperature dependency of high-performance LEDs. The system, which is calibrated for luminan...

BMW has launched high-performance XM sports activity vehicle (SAV) with enhanced interior and lighting features, the German automaker said in a press release on 28 September. Significance: The cockpit features high-quality interior finishes, including a matt carbon surface for the center console and the BMW Curved Display. The wide, pearl-effect chrome air vent surrounds contrast with the carbon elements installed in the instrument panel. BMW equipped M multifunction front seats with elect...

Bentley has launched Bentayga S Hybrid, Azure Hybrid with updated interior and lighting features, the automaker said in a press release on 28 September. Significance: The 4-door Bentayga S Hybrid features a contemporary interior with crafted hide components and Dinamica as a small homage to the materials used in motorsport. This is available in a variety of color splits to create a sporty look in the cabin. A digital instrument panel displays performance design dials and a plug-in hybrid vehi...

DRÄXLMAIER has announced that the company will showcase function-integrated systems for vehicle interiors at the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) 2022 in Wolfsburg, Germany, it said in a press release on 30 September. Significance: The supplier's lighting solutions enable intuitive operation, seamless communication between the passenger and the vehicle, atmospheric and individual interior lighting for enhanced in-vehicle experience. The functionally integrated system (FIS) touch technology...

Volkswagen has unveiled all-electric powered L5 autonomous Innovation Experience Vehicle (IEV) GEN.TRAVEL featuring flexible interior layout with focus on Mobility-as-a-Service (Maas), the German automaker said in a press release on 23 September. Dr. Nikolai Ardey, Head of Volkswagen Group Innovation, said, “With its NEW AUTO strategy, Volkswagen defines the mobility for generations to come—sustainable and digital. In the group-wide Volkswagen Innovation Research department, we are furthe...

TG0 has announced that that the company is showcasing its patented software-enabled sensing surface technology for automotive applications at the North American International Detroit Auto Show, according to a press release published by PR NewsLink on 15 September. The Demoset is divided into eight sections: a press button: a touch and pressure-sensitive button with an integrated LED; a multislide: textured 10-finger multitouch sliding bar with LED illumination; a smart key: push button with u...

GigaDevice has introduced automotive grade microcontroller (MCU) based on the Arm Cortex-M33 core, DigiTimes reported on 22 September. Significance: According to the report, the GD32A503 line of MCUs from GigaDevice are well suited for the creation of automotive electronics applications such as body control modules, lighting, smart cockpits, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and power supply. Additionally, the series is available in four packages, each with 10 product models. GigaDev...

Chevrolet has unveiled model year (MY) 2024 all-electric Equinox (EV) SUV with enhanced interior and lighting features, according to a press release published by Chevrolet on 8 September. Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors, said, “We are at a turning point where EVs will be the mainstream choice for the next generation of customers and Equinox EV will lead this charge for us. With the flexibility of GM’s Ultium Platform, we are bringing to market vehicles at nearly every price po...

Lexus has unveiled model year (MY) 2023 all-electric RX crossover with enhanced interior and lighting features, according to a press release published by the Japanese automaker on 9 September. Significance: The MY 2023 crossover features front seats developed for easy access, greater ergonomic comfort, and increased holding capacity, even on the longest commutes or road trips. Passengers in the available 40/20/40 power split-folding rear seat can charge their smartphones and tablets via two U...

LED packaging service provider Everlight has witnessed strong demand for car-use LED devices and anticipates orders to remain strong until the end of 2022, DigiTimes reported on 6 September. Significance: The integration of driver ICs with LED chip packaging helps increase accuracy in controlling colors, flexibility, and simplicity in designing printed circuit boards (PCB) to offer vivid and sharp imaging capabilities for better lighting experience. LED chips are shielded from direct contact ...

In a report published on 1 September 2022 by Sina Tech, two insiders have claimed that Xiaomi Auto is extremely unlikely to purchase BAIC's plant and does not intend to switch to an OEM manufacturing mode, choosing instead to construct its own facility. Earlier, Bloomberg had reported that owing to a delay in getting the licence for independent production, Xiaomi is in talks with BAIC Group to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) on its behalf. Xiaomi Auto's headquarters will be locate...

Cepton has announced via press release on 23 August that it will showcase lidar integrated headlight solution in collaboration with lighting specialist ZKW at the IAA Transportation 2022 exhibition to be held between 20 and 25 September in Germany.   Dr. Jun Pei, Cepton’s CEO and cofounder, said, “We are excited to showcase our collaboration with ZKW at this year’s IAA event. ZKW is a leading innovator of automotive lighting technologies and working with the ZKW team allows Cepton ...

LED automotive lighting module maker Excellence Optoelectronics (EOI) has announced that the company has witnessed client orders reach a record level enabling the company to generate revenue during the second half of 2023 and 2024, DigiTimes reported on 16 August. According to the report, EOI has joined the supply chain of US-based electric vehicle (EV) startup Rivian. The automaker will receive seven lighting modules from the company, including taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and thi...

Suzhou Yuntu Semiconductor Co. Ltd. (Yuntu) has raised several hundred million yuan in A+ financing round, the company said in a press release on 29 July. Existing shareholders, including Xiaomi Production Investment and Lianxin Capital, increased their stakes, while new investors included Jinbang Capital, BAIC Capital, Beijing Kinetic Energy (SPC), China Universal Asset Management, and Yongxin Capital. Wang Jianzhong, chairman, Yuntu Semiconductor, said, “The Yuntu Semiconductor team has n...

Taiwan-based LED lighting company Edison Opto has announced that it expects consolidated revenues from LED automotive lighting modules and lamps business segment to increase from 25–30% in the first half of 2022 to 30–35% at the end of 2022, DigiTimes reported on 1 August. Significance: According to the report, Edison is increasing the corresponding production capacity at its manufacturing facility in northern Taiwan in order to supply LED automotive lighting modules and lamps to US-...

MINI has unveiled its all-electric Aceman concept car featured with carbon-neutral interior materials and advanced lighting technologies, according to a press release published by the automaker on 27 July. Oliver Heilmer, head of MINI Design, said, “In the interior of the MINI Concept Aceman, we have concentrated on a simplistic appearance in combination with premium materials and welcoming colors. Digitization enables us to make do with few operating elements and at the same time to maximi...

General Motor’s (GM's) Cadillac has revealed interior details of its all-electric flagship CELESTIQ concept car, the automaker announced in a press release on 22 July. Laetitia Lopez, creative designer, Cadillac Color and Trim, said, “We’ve combined the beauty of function with the beauty of form. We had to reconsider all aspects to immerse the customer, all of their senses, and create a connection with the vehicle through the finest genuine materials, exceptional detailing, and advanced...

Automotive LED supplier Shanghai Jinghe Photoelectric Technology has announced that it raised tens of millions of yuan in Series A++ investment round, Ithome reported on 23 July. The funding round was led by Xiaomi's investment fund, with participation from Baidu Ventures, the company's existing shareholder. Significance: The company is currently aimed at some Chery Jietu models' matrix headlight high-power drive control box. Mass production and supply have been achieved; additionally, a prot...

Optical lens maker Ledlink Optics has announced that the company has experienced robust growth for automotive lighting lens in the third quarter of 2022, enabling the supplier to further boost its capacity utilization rate, DigiTimes reported on 21 July. Significance: According to the report, through collaboration with regional affiliate TYC Brother Industrial, Ledlink’s automotive lighting portfolio has gained access to Tesla’s supply in mainland China. Additionally, Ledlink is aiming to...

DS Automobiles has launched the new DS7 featuring innovative DS pixel LED vision 3.0 headlamps and DS veil daytime running lights (DRL), according to a press release published by the French automaker on 27 June. Thierry Metroz, Design Director, said, “At the same time as respecting the personality and elegance of the existing shape, we’ve injected an additional touch of dynamism with sharp features. New DS 7’s character is given a boost, particularly at the front and rear, while its des...

ŠKODA Auto has revealed interior details of its upcoming Vision 7S concept car, the Czech automaker said in a press release on 15 July. The cabin is designed to accommodate space for up to seven people and offers intuitive control of digital technologies and a high degree of functionality.   Oliver Stefani, Head of ŠKODA Design, said, “The new design language is minimalist, functional, and authentic. In the future, we will continue to focus on ŠKODA’s traditional strengths, such a...

Minda Industries Limited (MIL) has announced that it renamed its business to Uno Minda Limited, BusinessLine reported on 15 July. Chairman and Managing Director of Uno Minda Group Nirmal K Minda said, “We envision that the name change, and the new tagline will further strengthen the brand’s identity as a company that constantly drives the new in providing progressive, refreshingly new and best in class solutions to its customers across its product portfolio. The company believes...