Hella Sees Growing Demand For Rear LED Automotive Lighting

PLYMOUTH, Mich., June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hella, a leading supplier of automotive interior and exterior lighting systems, sees growing demand for rear LED vehicle lighting in North America.

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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.

There's also little or no risk of driving with burnt out rear tail lamps with LED technology. LEDs last for the life of a car, while conventional bulbs typically burn out after 800-1,000 hours of use. Matched against conventional or upgraded HID lamps, LED rear and front lighting systems provide energy savings ranging from 65 up to 80 percent as well.

Automakers are focusing more and more attention on rear-end styling, where LEDs also offer clear advantages over incandescent bulbs. 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," says 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. He spoke during a Hella media briefing at Pine Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

"Virtually every new mid-size and above new-vehicle program planned for 2013 and beyond will offer LED rear-end lighting," he notes.  "Some automakers even are planning rear LED lighting for entry level cars."

Hella has developed new applications of LED technology to provide car makers 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. Features of the new Hella product offerings include:

• Light Curtain systems provide low-profile light similar to an additional lens. LEDs along the edge of a light-guide lens emit light onto surface areas, providing OEM stylists with a wide variety of design options.
• Edge Light LED technology supports a number of rear-lighting applications and styling options by providing a clear profile for tail- and signal-lamp designs.
• Glowing Body LEDs produce glowing surfaces that appear smooth and even in both "cold" and operating states and can be used with a variety of optical systems. The glowing body is a versatile styling element that can be used to create a sophisticated look for a tail lamp.

"LED lighting is changing the way auto makers approach rear styling, helping to create additional brand awareness and offering a variety of new rear-end design options," Pietzonka says. "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.

About Hella:  Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. develops and manufactures lighting and electronics components and systems for the automotive industry. Its joint venture companies also produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle electric systems. In addition, Hella has one of the largest automotive aftermarket organizations in the world, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries.

Hella Group sales were $4.98 billion in fiscal year 2009-2010. Hella is one of the top 50 automotive parts suppliers in the world and one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. Nearly 23,000 people work at 70 locations in more than 30 countries, including more than 3,500 research and development engineers and technicians. Additional information is available at www.hella.com.

Note to Editors:  Photos and additional information are available on request or from Hella's press database at www.hella-press.de.

SOURCE Hella