Automotive Exterior Smart Lighting Market Trends

Navigating the Automotive Exterior Smart Lighting Market Landscape

As we enter the year 2024, the market for exterior smart lighting in the automobile is undergoing a transformation. This transformation is driven by a confluence of technological innovations, regulatory requirements, and changing customer preferences. The integration of smart technology, such as adaptive lighting systems and digital services, is reshaping vehicle design and functionality, while improving safety and the driving experience. Alongside this, tighter regulations, both on road safety and the environment, are pushing manufacturers to adopt more sustainable business practices. Lastly, a trend towards more individualized and technically advanced vehicles is driving demand for smart lighting solutions. These trends are strategically important for our clients. They not only influence product development and market positioning, but also shape the industry’s competitive dynamics.

Top Trends

1. Adaptive Lighting Systems
   The headlights of the automobile are becoming more and more automatic. In some European countries, for example, it has been prescribed that, for the greater safety of the road, they must be regulated. A study has shown that this regulation reduces accidents by thirty per cent at night. This tendency to regulation pushes the manufacturers to develop more complicated systems of lighting which improve the vision and the comfort of the driver.
2. Integration with Autonomous Vehicles
   As the market for driverless cars grows, smart lighting is being integrated to communicate with pedestrians and other road users. For example, Hyundai Mobis is developing a system of light that communicates the car’s intentions and enhances safety. It has been estimated that this kind of light-based communication could reduce pedestrian accidents by as much as 40 per cent. This will help to establish a new standard of V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication.
3. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Materials
   The automobile industry is concentrating more and more on the environment, and is experimenting with a number of materials for the lighting components. For example, OSRAM has launched a new LED lamp made from materials that can be recycled. It is estimated that this kind of sustainable thinking can increase the brand loyalty of consumers by up to twenty per cent. This trend will probably be reflected in the development of materials, and in the introduction of more sustainable production processes.
4. Smart Lighting Control Systems
   A smart lighting control system is being developed which will enable the driver to adjust the lighting of the vehicle to his own taste. Companies such as Hella are already offering such a system in the form of an app that can adjust the brightness and colour of the light. A survey has shown that a good 65% of consumers prefer cars with features that can be individually adjusted. This development will improve the customer experience and lead to an increase in the demand for more sophisticated lighting systems.
5. Increased Use of LED Technology
   LED lighting has come to dominate the car lighting market, because of its energy efficiency and its long life. In tests, LED lights use 75 per cent less energy than halogen. This has prompted car manufacturers to invest heavily in LED technology, which brings down running costs and improves the performance of the vehicle. In the future, the trend is towards even more energy-efficient lighting solutions.
6. Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal
   The exterior lighting of automobiles is becoming a more and more important element in the differentiation of the models. Brands like BMW, for example, are increasingly introducing dynamic lighting designs that increase the vehicle’s appeal. A study by IPS Research shows that over 70% of consumers place great importance on design in their purchase decisions. Competition between manufacturers is likely to lead to even more striking lighting designs.
7. Regulatory Changes and Standards
   In order to increase road safety, governments around the world are imposing stricter regulations on car lighting. For example, the European Union has recently introduced a new directive for LED headlights. This is of vital importance for manufacturers, as non-compliance with the regulations can lead to heavy fines. This trend will spur further development of lighting technology to meet evolving standards.
8. Integration with Smart City Infrastructure
   The smart lighting system is being combined with the smart mobility system in order to improve urban mobility. In this way, in collaboration with car manufacturers, cities are developing lighting that can communicate with the traffic lights and the streetlights. This combination of systems allows a reduction of traffic by a quarter. This trend will certainly spread, it will give a greater connectedness to the city, and will have an influence on the future of cars.
9. Augmented Reality (AR) Applications
   In the light of automobiles, the use of augmented reality is beginning to be developed. The driver can be guided and provided with information. Philips, for example, is developing a system that projects a route on the road. It is calculated that the driver's awareness will increase by 30 percent. This trend is expected to develop further, and could lead to a complete change in the way drivers relate to their car and the world around them.
10. Personalization and User Experience
    Lighting is now a major part of the car, and a personalization of the lighting is becoming a great trend. Brands are developing systems that remember the settings for different driving situations. The studies show that personalization increases the satisfaction of the car by up to 25 per cent. This trend is likely to lead to further innovation in the design of the user interface and the integration of technology.

Conclusion: Navigating the Smart Lighting Landscape

The Automotive Exterior Lighting market is characterized by an intense and highly fragmented competition, with a large number of competitors, both old and new, competing for market share. Among the trends that are becoming apparent are the increased focus on integrating sustainable and advanced technology, especially in North America and Europe, where regulations are increasingly favoring the use of eco-friendly solutions. Artificial intelligence, automation and flexibility are therefore becoming increasingly important to enhance product offerings and meet the needs of consumers. The companies that can successfully combine design and innovation with sustainable technology will be the ones that will lead the market in the future.