PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Automotive lighting systems supplier Hella says it is seeing a new trend among North American automakers — a growing demand for rear LED vehicle lighting.
Rear LED lighting offers customers safety features, energy-savings and styling advantages, according to Mark Brainard, vice president of Hella’s Corporate Center USA.
Brainard notes that conventional tail lamps take longer to fully illuminate. Because LEDs reach peak performance in milliseconds, they can help motorists avoid rear-end collisions. By allowing drivers more time to react, studies have shown that LED lighting translates into seven to 10 feet in braking distance — distance that counts in emergency situations, Hella points out.
Hella also adds that there’s also little or no risk of driving with burned out rear tail lamps with LED technology. LEDs last for the life of a car, while conventional bulbs typically burn out after 800 to 1,000 hours of use. Matched against conventional or upgraded HID lamps, LED rear and front lighting systems also provide energy savings ranging from 65 up to 80 percent as well, Hella says.
Automakers are focusing more and more attention on rear-end styling, where LEDs also offer clear advantages over incandescent bulbs, according to Hella. LED rear lamps today are standard on most European luxury cars. On smaller, less expensive car lines, LED treatments are offered in option packages to help distinguish a car line’s sport, luxury or special-edition models.
"Customer demand for LED lighting has been much higher in technology-driven Europe than in the U.S., but we are seeing a growing interest in North America as well, especially in rear lighting," said Steffen Pietzonka, vice president of marketing for Hella Lighting. "Today, the number of LED solutions in the U.S. is limited, but we expect to see significant growth by 2014 and beyond."
Pietzonka predicts that LED rear-lighting sales in the NAFTA region will grow at a compounded annual rate of between six and nine percent.
"Virtually every new mid-size and above new-vehicle program planned for 2013 and beyond will offer LED rear-end lighting," Pietzonka said during a Hella media briefing at Pine Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake, Mich. "Some automakers even are planning rear LED lighting for entry level cars."
Hella has developed new applications of LED technology to provide carmakers with a variety of new rear styling options, including light-curtain, edge-light and glowing-body technologies. By illuminating specific shapes, these technologies contribute to the creation of brand-typical designs, Hella says.
"LED lighting is changing the way automakers approach rear styling, helping to create additional brand awareness and offering a variety of new rear-end design options," Pietzonka said. "Compared with conventional bulb technology, more sophisticated LED systems allow stylists to create a variety of other shapes and features. Perspectively, more depth effects and three-dimensional forms are possible."
On a global basis, Hella currently supplies LED rear lighting for more than 20 models, including vehicles from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln and Volkswagen. The company also is a leader in the development and manufacture of LED headlamps, as well as interior LED lighting systems.
New LED applications also are being developed by Hella to enhance automotive-interior design as well as improve passenger comfort and safety. Pietzonka notes that a recent Hamburg University study commissioned by Hella shows that ambient interior light and color can have a positive influence on drivers and passengers alike.
