At the end of 2022, Longli Technology secured a $414 million Mini LED backlight supply contract with Bosch Group, a major German company. Industry experts view this investment as a significant boost to the Mini LED automotive display sector. During the China International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Shanghai Auto Show) in April this year, several automakers showcased new vehicles equipped with Mini LED backlight screens, reigniting interest in Mini LED automotive displays.
While demand for color televisions continues to rise, Mini LED display technology is also gaining traction in the automotive field. Industry analysts suggest no substantial technological barriers are hindering the adoption of Mini LED backlight technology, with 2025 anticipated to be a pivotal year for its widespread use.
Automakers’ Interest in Mini LED
In February, Ideal Auto launched its L7 model, which featured multiple screens, large displays, and intelligent functions. The safety driving interactive screen, located above the steering wheel, utilized Mini LED backlight technology. This marked the second time Ideal Auto introduced Mini LED automotive display screens, following the L9 model, highlighting the growing interest among automakers in adopting Mini LED technology.
In April, the Lincoln Navigator—a next-generation vehicle—was equipped with dual 23.6-inch surround 4K ultra-high-definition screens featuring Mini LED local dimming backlight technology. These screens achieved a maximum brightness of 1000 nits and maintained clear images even in bright light, covering 85% of the NTSC color gamut.
Earlier, in 2022, Mercedes-Benz adopted Mini LED backlight displays in its VISION EQXX electric vehicle. This model features a 47.7-inch integrated display with an 8K resolution and over 3,000 local dimming zones, consuming power only when specific parts of the screen are in use. This innovation suggests new directions for the high-end development of the automotive industry. In November, General Motors introduced three future models—the Cadillac LYRIQ, Cadillac CELESTIQ, and Buick Wildcat concept electric vehicle—all of which incorporated Mini LED backlight displays.
So far, besides new players like Ideal Auto and NIO, traditional automakers such as SAIC Roewe, Great Wall Motors, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Lincoln have integrated Mini LED backlight displays. Brands like General Motors, Ford, BMW, and Volvo have also indicated plans to release models featuring this technology, signaling strong demand for Mini LED automotive displays.
Challenges to Large-Scale Adoption
Compared to traditional LCD backlight technology, Mini LED offers benefits like ultra-high contrast, high brightness, and a wide color gamut, resulting in superior display performance. Against OLED technology, Mini LED shows significant advantages in terms of reliability, stability, and brightness.
A representative from Longli Technology explained that Mini LED is a solution tailored to the needs of the mid-to-high-end market. Considering the current technological advancements and production costs, Mini LED technology meets the high standards required for automotive display modules, such as lifespan, shock resistance, temperature tolerance, safety, and energy efficiency.
Information from TIANMA Microelectronics suggests that Mini LED enables active control of individual light sources, reducing the number of lit LEDs to lower power consumption and heat generation. This feature supports the extended range of new energy vehicles, providing longer, worry-free mileage.
However, Mini LED backlight automotive displays must undergo regulatory certification to ensure driving safety and component lifespan. Traditional displays typically require about one year for certification, while Mini LED, being a newer technology, takes 16 to 24 months. Over the next one to two years, the scale of Mini LED adoption is expected to grow, prompting brand manufacturers to be more cautious in choosing this technology.
The cost of Mini LED backlight automotive displays is currently 1.5 to 3 times higher than conventional LED backlight displays. The High-Tech Research Institute of Guangdong Province attributes this high cost mainly to substrates, driver ICs, and chips.
Reducing Costs to Drive Mini LED Adoption
The cost of PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) constitutes about 50% of the total cost for Mini LED displays. While most PCBs initially had to be imported, increased participation from domestic companies significantly improved the situation in 2022. Today, the PCB substrates used in China for Mini LED backlighting have largely been localized, with only a small portion still relying on imports. However, the cost of PCB materials remains high, and significant cost reductions may require innovations such as using glass substrates in the future.
“In conclusion, if Mini LED technology can improve yield rates, enhance production automation, refine system design, and develop a complete supply chain, it can reduce costs and become more competitive,” stated a representative from a leading optoelectronics company.
Chen Ziwei, a senior analyst at Sigmaintell, noted that Mini LED backlight automotive display shipments are expected to reach around 800,000 units in 2023, a more than fivefold increase from the previous year. By 2025, this figure could exceed 4 million units.
Upstream and Downstream Efforts to Promote Mini LED Adoption
This year, Mini LED has achieved several breakthroughs in panel technology, enhancing the appeal of intelligent cockpits with features like more dimming zones, higher contrast, larger curvature, hidden displays, and immersive experiences.
- BOE launched a 12.3-inch intelligent wood grain surface Mini LED hidden display, which seamlessly integrates with the vehicle interior when the screen is off.
- TCL Huaxing introduced a 47.5-inch Mini LED seamless ultra-thin integrated curved automotive display screen, combining instrument panels, central controls, and entertainment functions.
- TIANMA Microelectronics developed a 12.3-inch AM COG Mini LED automotive display with over 2,400 zones and an ultra-high contrast ratio exceeding 1,000,000:1.
LED manufacturers have also accelerated their production and delivery schedules. Longli Technology plans to establish a “Large-size Mini LED Display Module Intelligent Manufacturing Base Project” in 2023. Jufei Optoelectronics successfully delivered 43-inch large-screen Mini LED backlight boards for vehicles and is expanding its production base in Wuhu. Hongli Zhihui stated that their Mini LED automotive backlight products have been recognized by many automakers and tier 1 suppliers.
Advances in Chip and PCB Technology
Breakthroughs have also been achieved in chip and PCB technology. Novatek completed layouts for automotive TDDI chips, bridge chips, Mini LED driver chips, and automotive power management chips. The Mini LED driver chip is currently in testing and is expected to enter mass production this year. Huaying Semiconductor’s production base in Zhangjiagang began operations in March, focusing on automotive-grade high-end light source chips and Mini LED chips, with a monthly capacity of 30,000 units. Crystals Technology and Zhongjing Electronics are also making significant strides in Mini LED-related PCB products.
“Domestic manufacturers currently have the complete industrial chain capabilities for Mini LED displays. Through collaborative development, the cost of Mini LED display panels can be further reduced,” noted a representative from Jufei Optoelectronics.
The Path Ahead for Mini LED in Automotive Displays
The ongoing enhancement of the Mini LED industry chain supports market expansion. Chen Ziwei highlighted that A-si LCD products still hold about 70% of the automotive display market, while LTPS LCD’s market share is growing rapidly. It is estimated that LTPS LCD’s market share will reach around 30% in 2023, while Mini LED currently occupies less than 1% of the automotive display market. However, as costs decline, shipments of Mini LED automotive products will continue to rise rapidly.
“If the cost of Mini LED backlight automotive displays can be reduced to 1.2 to 1.5 times that of traditional automotive displays, it will be easier to penetrate the mass market,” said Lei Hao, adding that after five years of technological development, Mini LED backlight technology has matured, with no significant technological bottlenecks.
Industry insiders predict that 2023 to 2025 will be crucial years for the large-scale adoption of Mini LED backlight automotive displays. Rapid market entry requires cooperation between device manufacturers, complete system integration, and end-user automakers.
The initial use of Mini LED backlight displays in vehicles is just the beginning for relevant manufacturers. The next phase will involve technological innovation, cost optimization, and expanding application scenarios in a competitive landscape.
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