The report offers in-depth analysis of how interior lighting is playing an increasingly important role in transforming in-vehicle experiences for the driver and other occupants.

CES 2026 marked a clear shift in the automotive industry’s priorities. With demand for EVs softening and regulatory and cost pressures mounting, automakers and suppliers used the CES tech conference to emphasize automotive technology like artificial intelligence (AI) rather than electrification. Their focus moved to so-called physical and context-aware AI—systems that interpret real-world conditions in real time—positioning cars as software-defined vehicles rather than fixed hardware.

Our latest report on Rear lighting technology and market analysis provides a detailed analysis of current trends in rear lighting, key markets and major suppliers in this field. Additionally, the report examines the sourcing strategies of key automakers for rear lights.

Our latest report on Front lighting technology and market analysis offers a detailed overview of how front lights in vehicles are becoming increasingly important for ensuring safer driving and creating brand- or model-specific design.

Review all the highlights from IAA Mobility 2025 held in Munich, Germany.

This report delves into the dynamic landscape of the automotive startup ecosystem, analyzing trends and innovations from a dataset of 2,250 global startups. It highlights the significant roles of software-defined vehicles and autonomous driving technologies, alongside investment patterns and OEM partnerships that are shaping the future of mobility.

Our latest report offers an in-depth analysis of the growing use of projection lighting in vehicles to enhance both driving safety and personalization. The report also covers the growth outlook of this trend in automotive lighting, key markets, major suppliers, and automakers that offer projection lighting in their vehicles.

The biennial Auto Shanghai 2025 has emerged as a showcase for an array of technologies that blend hardware with software, effectively blurring the lines of traditional automotive classifications. Over the last decade, the event has matured into a pivotal global stage for both local debuts and international launches.

A comprehensive plan that outlines how an organization will manage its supply chain operations to achieve its business objectives. It includes decisions related to sourcing, production, logistics, inventory management and distribution. The strategy aims to optimize efficiency, reduce costs and improve quality. Key elements include supplier selection, technology integration, risk management and sustainability practices.

The report presents a detailed analysis of how ambient lighting is playing a key role in redefining the in-vehicle experience for both drivers and passengers. This includes key technology trends in ambient lighting, the demand outlook in key regions, and major suppliers and original equipment manufacturer customers.

The sentiment surrounding automotive technology at CES 2025 earlier this month was a mix of excitement and caution. Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), electrification and vehicle autonomy stole the limelight, reimagining mobility and highlighting advancements in both user experience and operational efficiency. Scalable and modular AI, machine learning (ML) and extended reality (XR) applications are being increasingly harnessed to enrich the in-car experience, from content personalizati...

Our latest report on How automotive lighting supply chain is evolving offers a detailed overview of how automotive lighting supply chain works, who are major stakeholders and what sourcing strategy key automakers and suppliers follow. The report extensive uses S&P Global Mobility’s component forecast for headlamps, taillamps and interior ambient lights, which are correct as of Nov. 30, 2024.

Our latest report on Newer lighting applications in vehicles offers a detailed overview of new use cases of lighting in vehicles. It covers new exterior illumination solutions such as illuminated grilles, illuminated logos and illuminated front and rear light bars as well as projection solutions.

Our latest report on the Automotive lighting system market in China offers a detailed analysis of the automotive lighting market in the world’s largest vehicle market, covering key products, technology trends and key players. The report uses S&P Global Mobility’s component forecasts for headlights, taillights, and ambient lights, which is correct as of June 15, 2024.

The event was held at an exhibition area of 22,000 square meters, attracting more than 892,000 visitors (including 28,000 international attendees) and over 1,500 exhibiting companies that showcased 278 new energy models, among other exhibits.

This report examines the evolution of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies and their impact on the automotive industry, broken down into 11 vehicle domains for better understanding.

Our latest report on Automotive front lighting systems offers a detailed overview of how front lights in vehicles are becoming increasingly important for ensuring safer driving and creating brand- or model-specific design.

Our latest report on Changing role of rear lighting in vehicles offers a detailed overview of how rear lighting is becoming increasingly important for vehicle manufacturers in designing next-generation vehicles.

More than 135,000 visitors travelled to Las Vegas for CES 2024, including S&P Global Mobility analysts who have detailed all the key themes and showcases in this report.

Our latest report on Adaptive driving beam headlamp and projection lighting offers a detailed analysis of these two key technologies in automotive lighting. The report uses S&P Global Mobility component forecasts for headlights, which are true as of Dec. 30, 2023.

Automakers have intensified focus to deliver higher in-vehicle experience to drivers and fellow passengers as modern vehicles transition from just a mode of transportation to the third living space after home and office. They are equipping new vehicles with better quality interiors, including seats and other trim components. In addition, automakers are using lights to illuminate the interiors of their next-generation vehicles to deliver higher onboard user experience. For years, automakers of...

Lighting suppliers are taking several strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, joint venture (JV) partnerships, and investments in new products and technologies, as well as in production capacity, to position themselves better to serve the expected surge in the demand for lighting solutions. Our latest report on “Supplying vehicle lighting – Supplier strategy” offers comprehensive details of strategy followed by key lighting suppliers.

Electrification has emerged as the biggest megatrend of the automotive industry. Automakers are scrambling to launch new EVs in response to tightening vehicle emission rules, which can only be met once the product lineup is substantially electrified. The impact of electrification is not limited to the electric drivetrains but also to other areas in vehicles including chassis and underbody, interior and lighting.

More than half a million visitors descended upon this year’s International Mobility Show (IAA). The event played host to more than 300 world premieres and innovations. Around 750 exhibitors travelled from 38 territories, with Greater China having a large presence at the event.

Lighting’s role in vehicles is growing. For several years, automakers equipped vehicles with lighting systems such as headlights and taillights with sole purpose of ensuring safer driving. Of late, lighting systems have also become a key tool for designing vehicles which look stylish and distinct from rivals. Lighting is now the new chrome in vehicles. Our latest report on “How exterior illumination promises to redefine vehicle design” analyses the changing role of automotive lighting s...

This year marked the 20th anniversary show for Auto Shanghai. It was held on April 18-27, 2023 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai. More than 1,400 vehicles were showcased including 300 new models. The Show was also the platform for around 100 global vehicle debuts and attracted 906,000 visitors.

This report analyzes how various light sources such as halogen lamps, xenon lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are changing and how these changes are helping vehicle manufacturers to offer more advanced lighting systems in their vehicles. The report also explores the next-generation light sources that the automotive industry is considering, which will not only help make new vehicles safer but also look stylish and stand out from competition. Automotive lighting has undergone massive changes ov...

The 2023 Auto Expo's components edition was held from 12-15 January and recorded participation of over 800 companies and 115,000 visitors, while the vehicle show was held from 13-18 January and was attended by 636,743 visitors. Among the major passenger car manufacturers in India, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors, Toyota, BYD, and MG Motor showcased new models and concepts.

CES 2023 was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States from January 5-8, in both in-person and digital formats. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) reported that CES 2023 saw over 115,000 industry attendees, with over 3200+ companies (including 1,000 startups) exhibiting, making it the largest audited global technology event since early 2020.

The lighting systems regulations and market outlook tracker enlists automotive lighting regulations in key countries/regions and offers our forecasts for major lighting systems in these markets.

In 2009, a combined study by BMW engineers and the Lighting Engineering Group at Germany’s Ilmenau University of Technology revealed that ambient lighting enhances a driver’s perception of a vehicle’s interior. Such lights, offered in a variety of colors and color combinations, intensify space perception enhance perceived quality of materials and design, and contributes to safer driving. Ambient lights also help drivers see various control functions in the cabin better.    The...

Automotive lighting systems have always played a critical role in ensuring safer driving. Over the years, automakers have added new lighting functions and features to help drivers safely operate vehicles at night. However, in addition to improving safety, lighting systems have now emerged as an important design tool to create distinctive looks that set vehicles apart from their competitors. Today’s automakers are equipping new vehicles with stylish headlights, taillights, daytime running li...

Rising focus on connectivity and autonomous driving, along with electrification is leading to major changes, not only in the way today’s vehicles are designed, developed, and produced, but also in how they are driven and utilized for mobility. These megatrends are impacting all key areas of a vehicle, including its lighting systems. Automakers are introducing new lighting features and functionalities, which not only contribute to safer driving, but also result in better design and styling of t...

Automakers have been equipping vehicles with headlamps, taillamps, and auxiliary lamps to ensure safer driving, especially at night, for more than 100 years. A vehicle’s headlamps brighten the road ahead to help drivers get clear visibility, while its taillamps help drivers of other vehicles to notice the presence of this vehicle on the road. In addition to headlamps and taillamps, automakers equip vehicles with auxiliary lights, such as turn signal lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), and f...

As part of the 2022 New Year's Briefing, IHS Markit has compiled a presentation around analysis of its latest automotive semiconductor demand and capacity forecast.

CES 2022 was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States from January 5-7, with around 400,000 visitors, 744 exhibitors, and 936 speakers.

A vehicle’s rear lights serve the single most critical function of letting road users (including the vehicle drivers following behind) know its presence on the road, especially when driving during night. Such lights also contribute to safer driving by letting road users know the driver’s maneuvers, such as slowing down, stopping, reversing, changing lanes, and turning left or right at the traffic signal. Fitment of rear lights in vehicles is mandatory in almost all countries. In addition ...

While Apple is yet to confirm or deny exploring vehicle development under the codename Project Titan, also referred as Chromium, a vast array of automotive stakeholders and commentators have been inquisitive of what may materialize from the so-called ‘Apple Car.’ Due to the secrecy around Apple’s car venture, a lot remains unknown or unconfirmed about the project from the manufacturing location(s), potential partners, and projected volume. This research note ...

Lighting systems have always been critical components in vehicles as they illuminate the road to help drivers during night-time driving. They also act as effective communication tools for the driver of a vehicle to let other road users, including the drivers of other vehicles, know its intended actions such as changing lanes and directions, braking, and stopping. In addition to higher safety, lighting components also play a key role in enhancing the exterior design and appeal of vehicles. Aut...

IAA Mobility 2021 took place in Munich, Germany, from September 7-12.

With strict, industry-wide norms applied practically across the entire automotive sector, differentiation is becoming challenging for automakers. One area in which carmakers are recognizing opportunities to stand out from their competitors is interior lighting. In the early 1990s, the average car had only four interior lights—all incandescent. Today, vehicles have developed into the “third living space,” with personalized interiors helping drivers gain a sense of orientation and free space...

This report provides a broad understanding of adaptive lighting technologies: pixel /segment demand in the market . It also delves on the demand outlook for this system, their main suppliers and users, and the main market drivers at a global and regional level. Over the past few years, automotive lighting has evolved from a primary, functional feature to a distinctive feature with high-value potential in the industry, especially exterior lighting, which can profoundly impact both technology a...

The Auto Shanghai 2021 was the 19th International Automobile Industry Exhibition and took place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai in China from 19-28 April 2021.

Automakers are leveraging newer light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), to open new horizons in lighting style and performance. They have provided vehicles with radical design elements that eventually identify their respective brands. While such design changes are at different stages of development and implementation across markets, industry players are also active in developing next-generation lighting products that are more energy-efficien...

This report highlights high-level themes represented at the show and summarizes announcement details by company with key insights for how the technologies presented impact automotive and technology strategies and industries.

The focus of the 2020 Beijing Motor Show were intelligent cars and alternative drive systems. All renowned automotive manufacturers and suppliers as well as numerous startups participated in the 2020 show. 

The global automotive market has witnessed the impact of autonomous driving on fundamental components of a vehicle. As we gradually head toward the foreseeable future with autonomous cars, both exterior and interior lighting systems have shifted from traditional lamps to intelligent lights, which includes the use of electronics and software. It all started with the introduction of light-emitting diode (LED), followed by adaptive front functions, and now digital technologies. This report provi...

High-resolution vehicle headlamps are the technological way to illuminate the road area to intelligently increase safety and comfort. By using the density of pixel and matrix LED’s segment, lighting systems are providing ever more synergy with projection/display systems as their function is evolving toward communication, like projecting information onto the road. Matrix or Pixel light headlamps are not restricted to either pure low-beam functionality or pure high beam but are selectively sw...

These presentations were given at the 2020 IHS Markit Spring Automotive Client Briefing - Europe (webinar) on  EV Charging Infrastructure and Connected Car.

This report highlights high-level themes represented at the show and summarizes announcement details by company with key insights for how the technologies presented impact automotive and technology strategies and industries.

The Los Angeles (LA) Auto Show is an annual car show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in late November or early December.

The theme of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show was “Open Future” focusing on cutting edge futuristic technologies including future mobility, flying cars, next-generation personalized mobility, autonomous driving, connected vehicles, and new energy-based vehicles.

These presentations were given at the 2019 IHS Markit Fall Automotive Client Briefing in Detroit, Michigan.

The 2019 International Motor Show (IAA) took place at Frankfurt Am Main from 10–22 September 2019.

OEMs are using the newer light sources of LED and OLED to enhance the style and performance of rear designs. Development of such modules has provided vehicles with elements that, in time, will serve as brand identifiers. This report provides an insight into uptake, techniques and major stakeholders within the sector. Plus:  Analysis of OLED growth and trends  Outline of design and integration techniques  Insight into major OLED suppliers and OEMs  Reveals curre...

The 2019 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) took place at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, the US from 19–28 April 2019.

The introduction of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting has transformed the automotive lighting industry by introducing new style and convenience features to entice prospective buyers. Automakers are using the same technology with different approaches; for instance, Mercedes-Benz and Audi use advanced lighting while retaining their brand attributes, with Mercedes-Benz maintaining optimum vision through its DIGITAL LIGHT strategy, and Audi further improving vision by using laser and LED technolog...

The 2019 Geneva show was majorly focused around future trends for the automotive industry and conceptual technologies—electrification of vehicles and connected mobility, driverless vehicles, packages of digital services, and transportation services.

The 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) took place at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, United States from 12-27 January 2019.

The annual CES continues to host the world’s automotive innovators to highlight the most cutting-edge technologies the industry can offer.

The Los Angeles (LA) Auto Show is an annual car show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in late November or early December.

All research in this report is based on the 2018 IHS Markit Global Lighting Sector Forecast that covers global and regional growth of light sources such as halogen, xenon, light-emitting diode (LED), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and laser, along with technology, customer, and supplier analysis. The report provides an understanding of the factors pushing demand for LED, OLED, and laser technology across the globe and the challenges facing automotive lighting systems at global and regional...

All research in this report is based on the 2017 IHS Markit Global Lighting Sector Forecast that covers global and regional growth of the lighting industry in supporting ADAS systems, along with technology, customer, and supplier analysis. The report provides an understanding of the changing role of lighting systems with increasing autonomy levels and the challenges facing the automotive lighting industry at global and regional levels. The following are the focus areas of this detailed rep...

Electronic systems such as safety systems and lighting systems contribute to about 80–90% of all modern-car innovations. With continuous adoption of automotive technology and lighting components, headlights and taillights have gone through a substantial change in functionality and design; these lighting components combine high performance with safety, low-energy consumption, and aesthetics. A critical element for vehicle lighting systems is their performance on the road. This system needs t...