In an exclusive interview to DrivingVisionNews, Dr Gotchev told that he retains three major points about the last years spent at the head of MKT and Sales
– Halogen: Osram and Philips have still the expertise of automatic production lines with very low ppm. Cost of the bulbs depends more on amortizement costs of tools and equipments than on work costs. Production transfer to low cost countries would mean giving out the expertise versus a very low cost reduction. The transfer is done when it is absolutely necessary and for domestic market.
– Xenon: The high amount spent for Xenon research, development and investment by Osram and Philips represent a very high entry price, preventing new competitors arrival. Mercury free requirement will not change this competitive situation in spite of the arrival of some Japanese companies.
– LED: The competition with Philips-Lumiled goes on, but the danger is coming from Asia, Japan, Korea and later China.
Dr Gotchev thinks that Halogen, Xenon will still coexist a long time with LED, because of lower cost prices needed for low cost cars. On top of this, stylists want diversity and choice, and so Xenon and LED. Moreover the amortization of research and industrialization on a very long time will push source makers to continue to promote these 3 technologies.
Next week interview will be done with J.P.Ploué, head of Citroën design