The profile of the automotive lighting industry has lately been undergoing rapid and significant change. Lighting regulations, once many in number and different in technical prescriptions are now greatly reduced and substantially harmonised. Markets have consolidated, as have vehiclemakers and lighting suppliers, giving rise to regionally- rather than nationally-based players round the world.

This level of co-operation is fairly unique to the lighting sector, with technique, practice, subcomponents and even build-facilities being shared at an unprecedented level.

Partnerships, joint ventures, and other collaborative arrangements serve to accelerate the presence and prevalence of better lighting on the roads of developing countries, whilst also elevating the industry's best practices and reducing the cost automotive lighting sophistication.

So with lighting technology advancing at a staggering pace since the beginning of the 21st century, and vehicle stylists and buyers growing more daring and demanding, the wide range of options, considered luxury until recently, is now a necessity. Furthermore, the growth of supply and demand for vehicles (and, therefore, for vehicular lighting systems) in developing nations means that co-operation between lighting makers is at an all-time high.

This latest edition of our automotive lighting report addresses these collaborations, and offers an overview of the key market drivers and technical developments. Profiles of the major European and Asian suppliers, plus market share estimates for the global lighting market by supplier and by Xenon headlamp systems is provided, along with forecasts by region, namely North America, Europe and Japan to 2013 by headlamp prevalence.

Chapter 1: Overview of a unique industry - We provide a look at the industry today, including significant changes, key market factors, changes in customer expectations, and the dilemma vehiclemakers face in determining the degree to which they wish to support and effect harmonisation of international lighting regulations.

Chapter 2: Market review of lighting technologies - This extensive chapter investigates new types of lighting techniques and technologies. It reviews daytime running lights, Tungsten-halogen headlights, Xenon, BiXenon and LED headlamps, advanced front lighting, and non-headlamp exterior lighting. There is comment throughout this chapter from executives in the industry, such as Valeo Lighting Systems' engineering director Jean-Paul Charret and Dr. Ralf Ackermann, of AL-Automotive Lighting.

Forecasts to 2013 show headlamp bulb prevalence by type and region, and market share is shown by front-lighting suppliers for the major vehicle manufacturers. Market share for Xenon headlights is also shown.

Chapter 3: OEM suppliers - This final chapter discusses the European suppliers that are dominating the market. We also look at Asian manufacturers, namely Ichikoh, Koito and S-Koito and Stanley, and provide commentary on automotive light sources and the major players such as Osram, Philips Automotive Lighting and Philips Lumileds.

This report is also available as an Intelligence Set. This consists of the report, plus five supplier profiles.

Introduction: Facts and figures at a glance

Chapter 1 Overview of a unique industry
The industry today
Significant regulatory pushes
Market factors: Harmonisation, consumer expectations

Chapter 2 Market review of lighting technologies
Daytime running lights
Safety with style
Tungsten-halogen headlamps – prevalent for the foreseeable future
New types of halogen bulbs give increased performance, longer life
Xenon and BiXenon headlamps
LED headlamps
Light colour – a tricky balance
Advanced front lighting
Interactive AFS
Beyond AFS: Light-based driver assistance
Pedestrian-friendly front-lighting devices
Non-headlamp exterior lighting – techniques and technologies
Osram Joule – a different approach
Variable-intensity signal lamps
Active brake lamps – new idea, new implementations

Chapter 3 OEM suppliers
Guide’s departure and Visteon’s restructuring buffet NAFTA market
AutoSystems and Wagner are now Magna
European suppliers dominate worldwide market
Valeo Lighting Systems
ValeoSylvania
AL-Automotive Lighting
Hella
ZKW
Schefenacker
Flextronics-Sidler Automotive
Asian manufacturers branch out
Ichikoh
Koito and S-Koito
Stanley
Korea’s lighting makers hit the ground running
Light source makers – global globes
Osram
Philips Automotive Lighting
Philips Lumileds

List of figures
Figure 1: Global market share by value of Xenon headlamp systems, 2007 (%)
Figure 2: Market share by value of Xenon headlamp systems for Japanese-built vehicles 2007 (%)
Figure 3: Front-lighting suppliers to BMW by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 4: Front-lighting suppliers to Chrysler (worldwide operations) by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 5: Front-lighting suppliers to Ford (North American operations) by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 6: Front-lighting suppliers to GM (North American operations) by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 7: Front-lighting suppliers to Honda (Japanese operations) by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 8: Front-lighting suppliers to Mercedes by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 9: Front-lighting suppliers to Toyota (Japanese operations) by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 10: Front-lighting suppliers to Volvo-Saab by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 11: Front-lighting suppliers to VW-Audi-Porsche by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 12: Variable horizontal beam cutoff gives maximum sight distance with minimum glare to adjacent drivers
Figure 13: Variable vertical cutoff maximises sight distance despite hills, valleys and vehicles ahead
Figure 14: Non-glare high beam ‘slices’ dark zone from beam for oncoming driver
Figure 15: Marker light spotlights road hazard that would be invisible with normal beams
Figure 16: Flexible headlamp deflects on impact, protects hit pedestrians
Figure 17: Market share of primary front-lighting suppliers to North American-built vehicles by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 18: Market share of primary front-lighting suppliers to European auto manufacturers by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 19: Global automotive lighting market share by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 20: Global interior lighting market share by value, 2007 (%)
Figure 21: Ichikoh’s global operations

List of tables
Table 1: Global market prevalence of halogen headlamps, 2007-2013 (fleet percentage)
Table 2: Headlamp bulb prevalence by type, North American market, 2007-2013 (fleet percentage)
Table 3: Headlamp bulb prevalence by type, Europe/Japan market, 2007-2013 (fleet percentage, high/low or low beam)
Table 4: Global market prevalence by region of HID headlamps, 2007-2013 (fleet percentage)
Table 5: Emitter count, system wattage and cost-efficacy for high-performance LED low beam, 2007-2013 (number of emitters, W and lm/US$)
Table 6: Global market value by region for automotive LEDs, 2007-2013 (US$m)