After visiting the lighting facilities at Renault’s Technocentre, DVN had an exclusive interview with Jean-Philippe, in charge of Renault’s lighting activities.
DVN: Renault have launched their newest cars with LED. The next step is ADB; do you see matrix or pixel light as the future of lighting technology?
Jean-Philippe Benoist: Strategy of Renault is to use the new technologies to improve safety and comfort, but also to have styling differentiation to help marketing to sell the cars. Renault are a generalist maker and must take care of the money we put into our cars. We have to remember that the HID technology didn’t succeed at Renault because of extra cost with no styling differentiation versus halogen.
Internally at Renault, our project directors make the same analysis that every final Renault customer makes: “For a certain amount of money, which equipment is worthy and valuable in my car?” We have to keep in mind that even if the value is good, the cost may be too high compared to other ADAS equipment, and we may not be able to sell it. Today there is a real competition amongst all ADAS options, and the value/cost ratio is a key point for the lighting industry.