Mandatory Daytime Running Lights Could Prove Costly for Motorists in Europe
By Just-auto.com, PRNESunday, June 26, 2011
BROMSGROVE, England, June 27, 2011 -
According to an exclusive interview with just-auto.com, UK
aftermarket lighting specialist Astra Automotive suggests that as
the European Commission has recently mandated the use of daytime
running lights for newly-registered vehicles, European motorists
could get stung if their LED (light emitting diode) lights fail,
because they may have to stump up the cost of replacing whole
lighting units.
just-auto’s analyst Matthew Beecham interviewed Astra
Automotive’s Leon Callahan and managing director Robert Jones. The
full interview appears in just-auto’s newly launched QUBE
automotive lighting intelligence service:
just-auto: “The European Commission recently mandated the use of
daytime running lights for newly-registered vehicles. All new types
of passenger cars and small delivery vans will have to be equipped
with the lights, while trucks and buses will follow in August 2012.
Does this spell out good news for your business?”
Astra Automotive:“The daytime running lights
that we have seen are mostly LEDs, therefore this will not bring in
new business for the replacement bulb market for at least three
years, because in nearly all cases they will be covered under
manufacturers‘ warranties.
“Even then, most will be fitted with LED model
specific lighting systems such as the LED “Eyebrow” effect of the
Audi and LED circle around the front side lights on the latest Land
Rover and Range Rovers.
“These units, as we see it, will be sealed in
manufacture so if a LED light was to fail, it will almost certainly
be impossible to just replace the bulb. Instead the motorist will
have to replace the whole light assembly, which will prove
expensive in terms of replacement and garage time. The same goes
for truck and bus operators who are more conscious of vehicle
downtime and costs.“
About QUBE‘s lighting intelligence
This online, real-time intelligence service is a
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research and proprietary data it includes up-to-date analysis of
key technologies, market size estimates, lighting market forecasts,
OE market shares, profiles of the major manufacturers and coverage
of all relevant sector news and announcements (in real-time). For
further details and to register for a free trial, visit:
About QUBE by just-auto
Launched in early 2011, QUBE delivers all just-auto’s 40+
component and market sector intelligence services, combining
breaking news, interviews and expert opinion with updated data
analysis and forecasts for all key OE manufacturing component
sectors, companies and markets on a single online platform. QUBE
also includes active profiles of over 180 vehicle manufacturers and
car component suppliers. For further details on QUBE and to
register for a free trial, visit:
About Astra Automotive
Astra Automotive is the brand born out of Lampion & Co Ltd.
The company has been serving the automotive aftermarket since the
early 1980s. In addition to selling replacement light bulbs, the
company supplies a range of wiper blades, electrical parts and
vehicle maintenance equipment.
Chris Boaz, +441527573616, chris.boaz at aroq.com
Tags: Bromsgrove, England, June 27, Just-auto.com, United Kingdom
