5 July 2018

Osram Continental joint venture begins operation

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The 50:50 joint venture Osram Continental GmbH between Munich-based semiconductor-based lighting firm Osram GmbH and Hannover-based automotive technology firm Continental AG (which is fully consolidated through Osram) has completed negotiations and the issuance of merger control approvals. Effective 2 July, the new firm is actively doing business with a focus on intelligent lighting solutions in the automotive market.

Planning to move its headquarters from Munich to Garching, Germany, within the next year, Osram Continental will initially employ about 1500 people in 16 locations worldwide. It aims to generate annual sales in the mid-triple-digit-million-euro range, then to grow at up to double digits annually for the next five years, based on strong growth in the market for LEDs as well as laser-based lighting modules and solutions and associated electronics. The initial products from the joint venture are expected to be ready for series production by 2021.

“Over the past few months, we have laid down a number of milestones, allowing us to create a new company that will revolutionize the future of automotive lighting,” says CEO Dirk Linzmeier. “Building on these fundamentals, Osram Continental will provide a significant boost to the market,” he adds.

“With our team of experts from both companies, we will increase the efficiency, innovation and integration of our products,” says Harald Renner, chief financial officer and member of the general management of Osram Continental.

The market for vehicle lighting in the automotive industry is currently in a period of transition as it moves toward semiconductor-based lighting technologies, so software and electronics are becoming increasingly influential. By partnering, Continental and Osram are combining their strengths to develop headlamp modules and solutions for tail and interior lighting for both automotive manufacturers and suppliers.

The joint venture aims to utilize advances in digitalization to produce intelligent car lighting solutions, allowing multi-functionality from a single source. With its optimized approach, and by combining lighting and intelligent electronics, Osram Continental also aims to ensure market penetration of LED technology into all vehicle segments.

The joint venture will not only use software-based solutions to create a configurable light distribution system – for anti-glare dipped headlamps and high beam headlamps, for example – but it is also developing intelligent lighting functions. Using data from the navigation system and sensors, vehicles equipped with these solutions in the future will, for example, be able to project warning messages for other road users while driving.

See related items:

Osram and Continental sign contract to form joint venture

Osram and Continental planning JV for intelligent lighting solutions in the automotive sector

Tags: Osram Automotive LED lighting

Visit: www.osram.com

Visit: www.continental-corporation.com