Sales of Auto LCDs to Double by 2016 Due to Backup-Camera Rule

Researcher IHA predicts that sales of LCDs for car use will almost double by 2016, due to the rear-view cameras regulations.

IHA estimates that by 2016 sales of full-color LCDs for vehicle use will reach almost 117 million units, an increase of 89% from the 2012 level. The report published by the California-based HIS also states that LCD sales will increase between 15% and 23% annually, and shipments will surpass the hundred-million-unit mark in 2015.

“The major driver of growth will be a U.S. government mandate requiring all cars to incorporate rear-view cameras by 2014,” Vinita Jakhanwal, director for small and medium displays at IHS said in the report.

The NHTSA missed for the third time the deadline to issue the backup cameras in new cars rule, which is currently under discussion at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, as being one of the most expensive pending rules in the US, with a cost of about $2.7 billion. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland announcement made on January 16th, the rule is still ‘very much’ on the table.

The IHA report said that one of the main suppliers of automotive LCDs in 2012 was the Japanese display maker, Sharp Corp., followed by Taiwan-based AU Optronics Corp. and LG Display Co. which plan to boost sales of automotive displays and expand in the automotive market.