VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Visteon Corp. has announced plans to present with Ford Motor Co. a joint paper at the SAE 2011 World Congress on a breakthrough vehicle lighting technology. The SAE 2011 World Congress takes place today through Thursday at Cobo Center in Detroit.

The 25 watt HID (High-Intensity Discharge) xenon lighting system features a broad range of benefits both for alternative and traditionally powered vehicles, including enhanced illumination, reduced power requirements, packaging advantages and cost-efficiency. Visteon says it is the first 25W HID xenon lighting system to be used in a series production hybrid vehicle.

A key benefit for hybrid and electric vehicle applications, according to Ford and Visteon, is the lighting system's lower power requirement compared with existing 35W alternatives, helping prolong each battery charge cycle. This increased efficiency is advantageous to all types of vehicles while still offering a significant improvement in illumination over halogen alternatives, the two companies believe.

The Visteon 25W HID technology's design incorporates all requisite electronics into a single unit, substantially reducing packaging size, which gives designers more options for mounting lighting in the limited space available between the front of the vehicle and its engine compartment. With its reduced packaging and cost, the Visteon 25W HID system is viable for small-vehicle applications in developed and emerging markets.

"The 25 watt HID solution demonstrates a contribution to safe driving at night," said Dr. Rainer Neumann, Visteon's director of global business development for lighting. "This technology offers manufacturers and drivers the opportunity to benefit from a significantly enhanced lighting solution without paying premium prices."

Dr. Neumann will deliver the presentation (SAE World Congress paper number 2011-01-0108) on the 25W HID headlamp with Thorsten Warwel of Ford Werke GmbH at 11 a.m. ET April 12 in Room D3-24/25 at Cobo Center.

Separately at the SAE Congress, three technical experts in Visteon's climate group will present a paper titled, "A Simple Method to Calculate Vehicle Heat Load." Yinhua Zheng, refrigerant systems technical professional; Mark Brown, senior manager, compressors and North America systems; and Harry Youmans, manager, climate system and refrigerant subsystems, will present the paper at 2 p.m. ET April 12 in Room W2-61.