RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — Xenon headlights, also known as HID – High Intensity Discharge lighting — continue to gain popularity in the North American vehicle market with each model year. According to the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) there are a total of 95 vehicle models equipped with Xenon headlights being sold in North America for the 2005 model year — up 25 percent from 75 models for 2004. Forty-one new 2005 model year vehicles are available with Xenon headlights, increasing availability to a larger segment of motorists.

“As consumers become more informed about the significant safety benefits of the technology, the demand for Xenon headlights continues to increase,” said Daniel Robusto, chairman of MVLC and president and COO of North American Lighting, Inc. “The MVLC is optimistic that as more vehicles are equipped with Xenon headlights, the estimated 2,300 pedestrian fatalities that result from poor night visibility in the United States each year will likely decrease.”

Consumers value the Xenon technology, Robusto added. In a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Xenon headlights ranked second on a list of top 10 automotive technologies consumers would like to purchase for their next vehicle.

Xenon headlights were introduced in the mid 1990s in Europe and Japan and first appeared on luxury and performance vehicles. Xenon headlights’ bluish-white light offers up to 70 percent more light output than standard halogen headlights.

The MVLC is a coalition of the leading global automotive lighting and component manufacturers and related education and research institutions committed to bringing new lighting advancements to market in order to increase vehicle performance and vehicle and pedestrian safety. A product line group of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), the MVLC supports ongoing research initiatives to improve the understanding of headlight glare and to inform the motoring public on lighting issues and emerging technologies. MVLC’s members represent a market segment valued at approximately $2.2 billion and produce nearly 100 percent of the headlamps used for vehicles manufactured and sold in North America.

A list of 2005 model year vehicles equipped with Xenon headlights, according to the MVLC, is available at www.mvlc.info.

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