By Paul-Henri Matha
Just after our DVN Shanghai event first week of December 2024, I took time to visit Hasco Vision HQ and main R&D center, just 2km away from our event, to meet Mr. Ao, Vice General Manager of Hasco Vision.
Hasco Vision was renamed in 2018 after the Hasco wholly owned acquisition of Japan’s Koito and Toyota Tsusho. Hasco Vision key figures in 2023 are a global revenue of C¥ 15.3bn, with 6,855 people and more than 500 in R&D team, which represent a 22 per cent market share in China
Main customer is SAIC (mother company) with their different brands IMM, Roewe, MG, SAIC VV (VW, Audi and GM) but also Toyota, Lynk & co (08, 01, 09), Ford, Gac,Chery, Changan, Xpeng, Xiaomi (SU7) etc… Hasco is the main Chinese lamp maker, just followed by Xingyu and BYD Fudi.
DVN: Mr Ao, you launched the first DLP in 2021 on Hiphi X and IM L7. DLP is more and more used in China with new application (Aito M9, Deepal S05). We have seen a very interesting presentation from BYD about ADB technology including DLP on Denza N9 and BYD Yangwang U7. What do you think about DLP versus microLED technology in China?
Mr Ao: HD technology is increasing very fast in China. We have projects in development with SOP in the next few years. We see a strong interest in China for road projection. As you know, they were integrated in new GB last month and OEM will be able to certify lamps including projection from July 1st.
MicroLED technology for ADB and projection will also be launched in 2025. However, resolution is not enough today for nice projection, that is why DLP technology is still preferred. MicroLED should be better, but for the moment, there is no clear advantage of microLED compared to DLP.
For customers, resolution is the key point. We are developing also some improvements with autofocus to be able to adjust the projection and video according to the distance. This interest was clearly demonstrated by S&P Global during the event with an important estimated growth and a focus on projection
DVN: Do you see other applications for DLP? I know that Smart #5 has a RGB DLP projection system in front bumper for example
Mr Ao: DLP is also used for signaling projection for projection. Hasco applies small DLP projection technology, integrated into the rearview mirror or chassis, to achieve the projection function of signal lights on the side or around the vehicle. And it has been mass-produced on the Zeekr X, providing functions such as steering prompt, welcome, door opening prompt, etc.
Paul-Henri Matha: about microLED application, do you work with local Chinese manufacturer?
Mr Ao: We are working with ams Osram and Nichia. We have close contact with a local LED supplier, but not yet in project. We need more time.
Paul-Henri Matha: what about ISD? you were one of the first lamp maker to deliver such lamp in China. What is your latest product release?
Mr Ao: We are producing the lamp behind the bumper of GAC. This is the first time an ISD is incorporated directly in the front bumper.
DVN: What do you think about miniLED technology for ISD? we have just seen 2 cars in China with this technology for the moment (Great Wall SAR and Changan CD701)
Mr Ao: This is a new technology with high potential. However, the technology will come into the market only with high-cost reduction. Current ISD with led technology are already expensive
For a 10 × 10 cm display, the price is currently C¥ 1,000. 3 years ago, it was around C¥ 3,000. If volumes are there, then the price will go done for sure. For that, we should perhaps think about a standard between OEMs. Which size, which resolution, which luminance? If each OEM has different specification, you will never go to a standard. If everybody comes with a common specification, then you can meet LED manufacturer with a very strong pressure to compete with consumer market (TV especially).
DVN: What do you think about SRP (Signaling Road projection)? I have seen some examples in China in parking conditions (that is already legal)
Mr Ao: Like Driver assistance Projection (DAP), it will become legal from July 1st in driving conditions. This technology has a big future because it is a really competitive solution and bring value to the final customer. Developments are ongoing for Chinese OEM, and Hasco Vision is ready for the market
DVN: I would like to know more how you have been able to reduce drastically the development time with your Chinese OEM customers. In Europe, everybody is looking at you nowadays.
Mr Ao: I would say first “Hard Work”. We are integrating more and more automatic design routine for CAD and optical simulation, and we are working on AI integration in CAD design. Researches are ongoing with a great potential. During DVN design round table, IM Motors (part of SAIC Group) exterior designer (Sharon Li) mentioned the close relationship between OEM designer and lamp maker during all the project phase (from advanced sketches to tool go). This is the unique way to save time. More direct contact, less intermediate people, this is part of the secret story.
The Styling decision mechanism is also something very important. In new EV start up like IM Motors, it can go very fast. Not the case with legacy OEMs.
We can also save time if we use more platform part (module). A common specification for all OEM could also help a lot to reduce diversity (same performance and same size).
DVN: Sustainability is an important topic in Europe. Is it also the same in China?
Mr Ao: There are less constraints in China for power consumption. Less compared to Europe, but still important. I would say it is more balanced. It is not a dogmatic topic.
Recycled material usage is pushed by European OEM in China. But Chinese Government emphasizes the sustainable policy, so it will come. And when it will come, it will come very fast, as usual in China
DVN: A last question. What about competition in China. There are now a lot of competitors. If I just mention Chinese players (without any JV with European suppliers), I see more than 10 players: Hasco, Fudi BYD, Xingyu, Liaowang, Anrui, Jiali, TYC, Depo, Mind etc … What do you think about this competition?
Mr Ao: There are too many lamp makers, too much competition. It is similar with OEMs, too many OEMs. In Europe and America, usually there are mergers between companies. In China this rarely happen. You grow or you die.
