Pietzonka: “ We are seeing a growing interest on LED”
DVN: Xenon technology has not had the same success as in Europe. What are the reasons?
Steffen Pietzonka: There are several reasons:
• Cost is still one of the main driver for automotive technology in total in the US
• Car park in the US is different to Europe (many Pick Ups, SUVs with high mounting height of the headlamps)
• Combined with no need for automatic leveling for Xenon headlamps and no power wash a bad glaring discussion in the past still affects the market today
• Road conditions are of course also different to Europe (many lanes in urban areas, long and even road lanes)
• End consumer are not really tech-interested
• Different warranty regulations. Bulbs are included over specific time and are replaced in the Garage for free. So there is no real Market pull for long-lasting solutions
DVN: How do you see the trend of the Xenon 25W light source in US with the total electronic integration?
SP: We have to consider several ways to answer:
• with the arguments above the introduction of the 25W solution will be a challenge
• even for 35W Xenon there is no need for power wash and automatic leveling
• limited space very often is no argument for the implementation of space saving technologies, having the big block engines e.g. of the light truck segment in mind
• energy saving potential of 30W compared to Halogen bulbs could be one future argument for the 25W Xenon bulb in the region
DVN; LED technologies are coming very fast in Europe with the new styling differentiation offers? Do you forecast the same in US?
SP: Even in the US 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.
