Automotive Display Demand to Grow 50% by 2015: NPD DisplaySearch

Taipei, March 6, 2012 (CENS)--Advanced automotive electronics has been upgrading vehicle driving control and safety performance, as well as boosting the demand for flat panel display (FPD) panels adopted in in-car telematics and infotainment systems.

As flat panel displays become more prevalent in applications such as navigation, multi-functional in-console monitors, and rear seat entertainment, NPD DisplaySearch recently said that it expects shipments for the automotive segment to grow by nearly 50%, from 42 million units in 2011 to 62 million in 2015.

“The demand for automotive monitors continues to increase as displays play a growing role in an increasing number of applications for automobiles,” noted Hiroshi Hayase, NPD DisplaySearch Vice President of Small/Medium Display Research. “With the growing production of hybrid and electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, we forecast strong growth for this segment.”

NPD DisplaySearch, a global market research and consulting firm specializing in the display supply chain, pointed out that due to the growing use of electronics in automobiles, displays used in vehicles are multi-functional, providing safety indications, energy information, entertainment, and other conveniences while driving.

In-car navigation is becoming more prevalent around the globe, the research firm said, as it enables safer driving by allowing drivers to focus on the road, and saves time by allowing drivers to avoid traffic and accidents.

With increased performance requirements, including higher resolution and wider color gamut for maps and other information, thin film transistor-liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs) are gaining ground over passive matrix displays for console applications.

Japanese LCD manufacturers such as Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba are focused on the development of TFT-LCDs for automotive monitors because of their ability to produce high-quality small/medium-sized displays and the higher profit margin potential, NPD DisplaySearch said. In this segment, Sharp led with a 24.5% share, followed by Sony with an 18.9% share and Toshiba with a 14.7% share.