DVN: Wolfgang, you are one of the most famous worldwide experts of automotive lighting. Could you explain us how you arrived at your position as Audi general manager, lighting and switches?
Wolfgang Huhn: Thank you. Maybe I am known in the branch because of my long years in lighting business. I am, so to speak, the old lighthouse keeper. But I am still fascinated about the interaction of technology, style and human aspects of lighting. You hardly find something comparable in automotive engineering. My ambition was always to bring something of my personal fascination into the product.
DVN: Start with LED rear lamps. If we except some premium cars, LED rear lamps have a relatively low take rate. Do you think it is because of the cost or because there is not enough differentiation with bulbs?
W.H.: If a designer is not able to find enough differentiation elements between a bulb rear lamp and a LED rear lamp he is untalented. So it must be the cost. CO2 laws will push LED rear lamps soon because of their high efficiency.
DVN: If we consider the LED DRL, the differentiation with bulb is great with examples of Audi. How do you see the future of LED in the DRL functions considering style and energy consumption reduction?
W.H.: LEDs are the logical light source for DRLs. Long durability, low consumption. All innovative car makers will use them. Every car maker has to find an own style (see question 2). This is a challenging task and needs a consequent introduction strategy supported by the top management.
DVN: Audi was the first car maker to equip full LED headlamps. What were the main problems you met in the development with AL?
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