LUXEON(R) LEDs Achieve New Exterior Automotive Lighting 'Firsts,' Replacing Conventional Bulbs in Multiple Vehicles

SAN JOSE, Calif.--July 18, 2006--Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, the leading provider of LEDs for automotive exterior lighting applications, is supplying the power LED technology behind a variety of exterior lighting innovations on 2006 automobiles. The industry-leading brightness, lumen maintenance and robust performance of the company's LUXEON(R) LEDs are enabling the first power LED backup, stop-tail, rear fog, mirror side-turn lamps and front turn signal lights, extending Philips Lumileds' leadership in solid-state automotive lighting as well as providing significant styling, longevity, and energy efficiency benefits to vehicle manufacturers and consumers.

The latest LED automotive lighting firsts for production passenger cars made possible by LUXEON(R) LED technology include:

-- The first power LED backup lamps, featured in both the 2006 Cadillac DTS (two LUXEON(R) I emitters in each of two lamps) and the 2006 Jaguar XK (three LUXEON(R) I emitters in a single lamp). http://www.philipslumileds.com/pressreleases/images/af_xk.jpg

-- The first power LED stop-tail lamp in the U.S. market, incorporating two LUXEON(R) I LEDs on the 2006 Lexus IS. http://www.philipslumileds.com/pressreleases/images/af_is.jpg

-- The first power LED rear fog lamp, built with three LUXEON(R) I emitters for the 2006 Jaguar XK.

-- The first power LED front turn signal, consisting of a six-LUXEON(R) I LED assembly on the 2006 Porsche Turbo. http://www.philipslumileds.com/pressreleases/images/af_p.jpg

-- The first single, power-LED mirror side-turn lamp, featured on both side mirrors of the 2006 Audi Q7 using a LUXEON(R) I LED.

In each case except the mirror side-turn lamp, the LUXEON(R) LED assembly replaces a conventional 21 Watt incandescent bulb. In the mirror side-turn lamp, each LUXEON(R) I LED replaces what is usually an array of low-power LEDs. www.philipslumileds.com/pressreleases/images/emitter_star_white.jpg

Audi has also expanded its use of LUXEON(R) technology in daytime running lamps (DRLs) that began with the 2004 Audi A8W12. In that vehicle, five LUXEON(R) I LEDs created a distinctive cloverleaf-shaped DRL within the headlamp assembly, marking the first appearance of an LED DRL in a production vehicle. This year, Audi expanded their DRL program and incorporated LUXEON(R) LEDs in the DRL of the 2006 Audi S6.

Although conventional LEDs are commonly used for a variety of exterior automotive lighting applications, LUXEON(R) power LEDs can reduce the number of emitters required from as many as 18 to just one or two. They also meet or exceed stringent automotive standards; offer significant power savings compared to incandescent bulbs; and will last for the life of the vehicle.

"Given the design cycles for automotive lighting projects, we expect to see a significant number of vehicles utilizing LUXEON(R) LEDs hit the road over the next few years," said Jason Posselt, Marketing Director for Automotive Products. "The LUXEON(R) based systems are approaching cost parity with other systems, introduce new design opportunities for stylists, and minimize the weight and dimensions of each lighting solution, thereby further reducing power usage and costs."

The recently released LUXEON(R) K2 and the company's continued development of power LED solutions for the automotive industry will drive adoption of the power-saving, environmentally friendly technology into headlamps and other applications that until now have required the light output of conventional bulbs. The company recently announced its breakthrough development of LEDs that surpass the luminance of the halogen bulb commonly used in vehicle headlamps.

About Philips Lumileds Lighting Company

Philips Lumileds Lighting Company is the world's leading high-volume manufacturer of power LEDs and a pioneer in the use of solid-state lighting solutions for everyday purposes including automotive lighting, camera flash, LCD televisions, portable lighting and general lighting. The company's patented LUXEON(R) Power Light Sources are the first to combine the brightness of conventional lighting with the small footprint, long life and other advantages of LEDs. Philips Lumileds also supplies core LED material and LED packaging, and manufactures billions of LEDs annually. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California, with operations in the Netherlands, Japan and Malaysia and sales offices throughout the world. For more information, contact Philips Lumileds Lighting Company at 408-435-6111 or visit www.philipslumileds.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,498 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.