Valeo Sylvania Develops HID Headlamp Module With Automatic Leveling

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--Sept. 10, 2001--The distinctive blue-white light cast by the headlamps of several luxury vehicles on today's highways is the very visible signature of what promises to be a major evolution in vehicle lighting led by Valeo Lighting Systems and Valeo Sylvania.
    While these lights -- High Intensity Discharge (HID) systems -- are still rare on North American highways today, they will become increasingly prevalent beginning in model year 2002 when Valeo Sylvania introduces an advanced HID module with automatic leveling.
    The HID system with automatic leveling will be offered by two domestic vehicle manufacturers, said Tony Garrison, Systems Engineering Manager for Valeo Sylvania. Fifty percent of the platforms launching HID in North America will include the automatic leveling feature.
    Automatic leveling, which is required in Europe as a safety measure to minimize headlight glare from oncoming vehicles at night, is integrated into Valeo Sylvania's HID module. In addition, Valeo Sylvania's module, for the equivalent price, has more added value than competitive systems that do not include self-leveling.
    "HID is the most technologically advanced automotive light source ever developed," said Garrison, "and the automatic leveling function is the first step towards future headlamp lighting innovations in automatic aiming, dimming and range finding."
    "HID headlamps are the most efficient, powerful, durable and longest-lasting lamps available," Garrison continued. "Most importantly, the color approximates the crispness and clarity of natural daylight to the human eye, so night driving for motorists is much more comfortable and drivers experience far less fatigue."
    HID light sources produce approximately three times the amount of light (lumens) at a lower wattage than traditional lamps and are approximately four times more efficient - 91 lumens per watt compared to 22 lumens per watt for a comparable halogen light source.
    "Unlike conventional lighting which tends to be diffused and attenuate quickly into obscured darkness, HID light bounces back with minimum diffusion so the road ahead is much more visible for a greater distance - almost day-like," said Garrison. "HID is especially effective in illuminating traffic signs, street and road lines and other reflective markings," he added.
    HID lights also have two to three times the life of a standard halogen bulb, approximately 3,000 hours versus 1,200 hours.
    Garrison said he expects the acceptance of HID lighting to increase dramatically as more and more motorists experience its benefits - "something like antilock braking systems, which were introduced as an option on high-end vehicles and became standard on most vehicles once motorists recognized their value," he said.
    "HID is the premium, high-performance forward lighting system in Europe with usage rising to 23 percent by 2005. Japan closely follows with usage expected to exceed 20 percent by 2005," Garrison said. "While limited today, the penetration in North America will sharply increase to approximately 8 percent by 2005."
    Valeo and Valeo Sylvania are the world's leading suppliers of automotive headlamps and pioneers in the development of HID technology. Valeo Sylvania is a 50-50 joint venture of Osram Sylvania and Valeo.