OLED is a light-emitting technology used to create thin, efficient and flexible displays and lighting panels. OLEDs are useful in many applications, such as TVs, smartphones, wearables, laptops - and also automotive displays and lighting solutions.

Mercedes EQE 350 2022, interior photo

Where can you OLEDs in cars?

There are several possible (and existing!) applications for OLED displays and lighting systems in cars:

  • Dashboard displays (instrument clusters, navigation, media, HVAC...)
  • Heads up displays
  • Internal lighting
  • External lighting (tail lights, turn indicators)
  • Digital rear-view internal mirrors
  • And more application we cannot think about today!

    OLED displays for cars today

    Several car models already use OLED displays today. Simple PMOLED displays have been adopted by automotive makers for many years, for example the Lexus 2010 RX for example has a white OLED display, supplementing the main 8" display.

    Starting in 2021, automotive makers started to also adopt AMOLED displays in premium cars. The 2021 Mercedes S-Class for example comes standard with a 12.8-inch OLED, and the 2021 Cadillac Escalade sports a large 38-inch LGD P-OLED display (made from several displays).

    2021 Cadillac Escalade OLED display photo

    We expect this trend to continue, as OLED makers such as LGD, SDC, BOE and others accelerate automotive AMOLED development.

    OLED lighting in cars

    The automotive market is one of the most interesting markets for OLED lighting, and many believe this will be one of the first markets to adopt the next generation lighting technology. In 2016 Audi unveiled the 2016 TT RS, which sports optional OLED taillights - the first commercial car to sport the new lighting technology. Since then several models from Audi, BMW, Hongqi, Mercedes and others have adopted OLED lighting panels.

    OLED-Info's Automotive OLEDs Market Report

    If you're interested in this market, check out our market report on Automotive OLEDs. The report discusses the current OLED display and lighting automotive markets, with a complete list of OLED display and lighting makers that are involved with the automotive market, with personal contact details. Our market report is updated quarterly.

    The OLED Automotive Market Report explains:

    • What kind of OLED displays are currently adopted in cars
    • Why OLED lighting is exciting for car makers
    • The future of Automotive OLED display
    • OLED concepts and forecasts by BMW, Audi and others

    Read more here!

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    The latest automotive OLED news:

    Business Korea: the upcoming Genesis GV80 will use a 27-inch AMOLED display produced by LG Display

    According to a new report from Business Korea, the upcoming new version of the GV80 Hyundai Motor's Genesis car will adopt a large OLED display, the first car by Hyundai to use an OLED as the main display. The GV80 will use a 27" P-OLED display produced by LG Display, that will be used to connect the instrument cluster and the navigation and audio-system center console The GV80 will be introduced before the end of 2023.

    Genesis logo

    LG Display was one of the first companies to identify the automotive industry as a potential market for its AMOLED displays. LGD is already supplying OLED panels to several companies including Mercedes and Cadillac. In 2021 it was estimated that LGD holds a market share of over 90% in automotive AMOLEDs, and the company is now considering building a dedicated AMOLED production line for automotive displays.

    Read the full story Posted: Jul 05,2023

    The MicroLED Industry Association to host an automotive microLED display webinar

    On September 4th the MicroLED Industry Association will host a private webinar on automotive displays and technologies. The automotive market represents a very good segment for display developers, as it offers high performance requirements and the ability to adopt premium solutions. Many analysts believe that this market will be one of the first ones to adopt microLED technologies (together with the AR/VR and wearables markets).

    Mercedes EQE 350 2022, interior photo

    During the webinar, we will look at current solutions and future roadmaps, learn how the automotive industry looks at display solutions and next-generation technologies and see how microLEDs could find a market in the automotive industry.

    The upcoming Seminar will feature three world-leading speakers, and will also be open to a Q&A session, to help increase microLED developers knowledge and involvement in the automotive industry:

    Read the full story Posted: Jun 29,2023

    AUO may close down its AFPD OLED fab in Singapore as it focuses on microLED for next-gen wearable and automotive displays

    AU Optronics has a 4.5-Gen AMOLED production line in Singapore, active since around 2013. The AFPD line is a small-scale operation, and AUO never managed to expand its capacity and compete with large AMOLED producers.

    According to a report from Japan, AUO is now considering closing down the AFPD line, and converting it to microLED R&D production line. It could move it back to Taiwan, or retain Singapore as a hub for AUO in Southeast Asia. The company will make a final decision, it seems, in early 2024.

    Read the full story Posted: Jun 22,2023

    DSCC: OLED panel revenues to decline in 2023, in a second consecutive year

    DSCC says that OLED panel revenues will decline 7% in 2023 (to $38.9 billion), the second consecutive year that the OLED market is seeing a decline in sales. The largest declines will be in the OLED TVs and laptops segments.

    The OLED smartphone market will actually grow 4% in unit sales, but revenues will decline 5%. The OLED TV market will decline 29% in 2023 in both revenues and units. OLED laptop unit sales will decline by 15%. All other segments, including AR/VR, automotive and tablets, will grow in sales and revenues in 2023. 

    Read the full story Posted: Jun 21,2023

    AUO shows foldable, transparent and automotive microLED displays at Display Week 2023

    Taiwan-based AU Optronics (AUO) demonstrated several microLED display prototypes at Display Week 2023, showing the company's focus on microLED display technology as its next-gen platform.

    Sample displays include a 13.5" Full-HD 5,000-nits 55% transparent display, a 17.3" transparent panel that includes an embedded LC layer so it turn from 55% transparency to an almost completely opaque display, a 14.5" 2560x1440 foldable laptop display that is based on blue microLEDs with QD color conversion, and more.

    Read the full story Posted: May 29,2023

    LG reports its results for Q1 2023: decreased sales as demand is sluggish, delays P10 fab in Paju

    LG Display reported its financial results for Q1 2023, with revenues of 4,411 billion Won ($3.3 billion USD), down 40% from the previous quarter and 32% from 2022.

    The company says there is 'sluggish demand' for TV and IT products. The company plans to focus on automotive displays, smartphone OLEDs and IT OLEDs (mid-sized panels). LG also aims to increase its sales of OLED gaming monitor panels and transparent OLED displays.

    Read the full story Posted: Apr 28,2023

    A new version of OLED-Info's Automotive OLED Market report released

    Today we published a new edition of our Automotive OLED Market Report, with all the latest information. The new edition includes three new car models, updates from Samsung, JDI and JOLED, new market forecasts and more. The adoption of OLED technologies by the automotive is accelerating and expected to continue in the future.

    Reading this report, you'll learn all about:

    • OLED advantages and challenges
    • PMOLED and AMOLED displays adopted in cars today
    • Why OLED lighting is exciting for car makers
    • All about flexible and transparent OLEDs

    The report package also provides:

    • A directory of all OLED automotive display makers
    • OLED lighting roadmaps
    • Personal contact details into leading OLED produces
    • Car concepts with OLED technologies
    • Free updates for a year

    This OLED Automotive market report provides a great introduction to OLED display and lighting solutions for the automotive industry. This is a great guide for anyone involved with the automotive market - car makers, suppliers and aftermarket solutions.

    Read the full story Posted: Apr 12,2023

    HKC to start making AMOLED displays in collaboration with JDI using its eLEAP production technology

    In 2022, Japan Display (JDI) announced that it has developed a "historic breakthrough in display technology" - a new OLED deposition process which they refer to as eLEAP, that is said to be cost effective and can be used to create freeform OLEDs that are brighter, more efficient, and longer lasting compared to OLEDs produced using mask evaporation (FMM).

    JDI eLEAP aperture ratio image

    We now hear that China-based LCD maker HKC Corp has signed an agreement with JDI to adopt its technology for mass production of AMOLED displays. Under the agreement HKC will invest billions to build AMOLED factories in China, while JDI will provide the manufacturing expertise and technologies, including eLEAP. The plan is to begin mass production in 2025, with the first applications to be in automotive displays and wearable devices.

    Read the full story Posted: Apr 12,2023