In fact, as early as the mid-1980s, LEDs began to be used in automotive central high-position brake lights (CHMSL). After entering the 1990s, LED backlights for automotive instrument panels generally use LED as a new solid-state light source. Nowadays, vehicles using LED light sources can be seen everywhere in the streets. Although they are not the mainstream light source of automobiles, their application in the automotive field is expanding. The emergence of LED automotive lighting is a major advancement in automotive lighting.

The reason why automotive lighting can stand out in many LED applications is because of its large market size and high product added value. In 2012, the global automotive lamp production value was 2.1 billion US dollars. The market size of LED automotive lamps will form an output value of 3 billion yuan per year. It is expected that the penetration rate will reach 70% in 2015, and its development trend should not be underestimated. In view of such a huge market space, automobile manufacturers have invested in funds and continuously introduced new cars with LED as a light source. For example, Japanese Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan and other manufacturers, the US-based General Motors has launched a model that uses LED taillights. Due to the high cost of LED lights, it is currently only used in a small number of high-class cars. However, some manufacturers have also introduced models for the use of LED light sources in mid- and low-end cars, such as the Lancer model launched by Mitsubishi in the mainland market, using a fan-shaped LED high-recognition brake light. Recently, GM announced that its external light source of Cadillac ELR uses LED, which will be the first electric vehicle in the world to use LED as a light source. It is another breakthrough in the application of LED in the automotive field. LED lighting of automotive lighting The trend is becoming more apparent. It is believed that in the near future, LED light sources will cover all low, medium and high-end models and get the most comprehensive popularity.

At present, the application of LED in the automotive field has extended from the previous automotive interior lighting to automotive exterior applications. The application of color LED in automotive interior lighting is very mature, such as for instrument panels, backlight switches, car reading lights or head-up display systems. Wait. According to industry insiders, in addition to the current application of taillights, high-position brake lights, etc., future turn signals, reversing lights will also apply LEDs on a large scale. According to reports issued by relevant agencies, it is estimated that by 2013, about 95% of new cars in the world will use LEDs in one or more taillights.

With its advantages of energy saving, environmental protection, longevity, shock resistance, small size and fast response, LED has gradually turned on the LEDization process of automotive lamps. On the technical level, LED car lights are more demanding than ordinary lighting fixtures, which need to meet high brightness output and maintain junction temperature ≤ 120 ° C. As a result, LED lamps used in automotive lighting systems are more expensive, and traditional lamps There is still a big difference in price. For example, the price of a combination of a mid-to-high-end sedan and an incandescent lamp is 120 yuan/set, while the LED combination backlight requires 210 yuan/set. The high cost restricts the commercial development of LED automotive lamps. Faced with the huge potential of LED in automotive lighting applications, the author believes that reducing the price of LED lamps under the premise of ensuring product quality will be the focus of future development of LED automotive lamps.