Recently, several projects in the LED field have been progressing simultaneously, including the commissioning of Thunderbird Optics' Jiaxing Micro LED Optomechanical Factory, the commencement of construction of Liaowang Automotive Lighting's Suzhou Base, and the expansion of Valeo's Wuhan Factory.
Thunderbird Micro LED Optical Mechanism Intelligent Manufacturing Factory Officially Commences Production
On June 28, the "Thunderbird Optics Intelligent Manufacturing Factory" located in Nanhu, Jiaxing, officially started production. According to Thunderbird, the factory will undertake research and development tasks such as optical simulation, optomechanical module design, and automated equipment, with an expected annual output of 1.05 million optomechanical modules.
In January of this year, the project commenced construction, with the goal of producing 1.2 million Micro LED full-color light engines annually.
According to available information, Thunderbird Innovation was founded in October 2021, focusing on near-eye displays and AI algorithms, and was incubated by TCL Electronics. In the field of AR glasses, Thunderbird Innovation released and mass-produced the world's first binocular full-color Micro LED waveguide AR glasses, Thunderbird X2, in 2023; in May 2024, it released Thunderbird Air 2s based on Micro OLED + BirdBath technology.
In May of this year, Thunderbird Innovation released the X3 Pro, which uses dual-lens full-color Micro LED and nano-photolithography waveguide technology, while the Air 3s series is equipped with a Micro OLED screen, using the same dual-layer OLED technology as Apple.
Liaowang LED Automotive Lighting Suzhou Base Project Commences Construction
According to "Today Xiangcheng", on June 28, the automotive parts and accessories manufacturing base project of Liaowang Automotive Lighting (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Foshan Lighting, officially commenced.
Image source: Today Xiangcheng
Located in Huangdai Town, the project mainly produces LED automotive lighting products suitable for new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, creating a digital and green modern intelligent factory, and is committed to supporting and serving mid-to-high-end automotive OEMs in the Yangtze River Delta.
Foshan Lighting focuses on energy-saving lighting products and has successively acquired controlling stakes in companies such as Nanning Liaowang since 2021. In September 2024, its subsidiary, Liaowang Automotive Lighting, planned to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in Suzhou—Liaowang Automotive Lighting (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.—to expand its business with automotive companies in the Yangtze River Delta region, increase production capacity, and accelerate its layout in the mid-to-high-end market.
Valeo's Wuhan factory expands again
According to the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Area, on June 27, Valeo Lighting (China) Automotive Lighting Co., Ltd. signed an agreement with the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Area to build a new production line at its second factory in Wuhan to research and develop and produce high-end automotive lighting products for new energy vehicles.
Image source: Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone
According to reports, this is Valeo Group's fourth investment in the region, aimed at accelerating the research and development and production of high-end vehicle lights for new energy vehicles. The plan includes adding new production lines and upgrading production capacity, which is expected to increase the company's annual output value by 500 million yuan.
As a globally renowned automotive parts supplier, Valeo entered China in 1994 and has since established multiple production and R&D bases across the country. Its automotive lighting business in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Area has established a smart manufacturing system, including the world's most advanced automated headlight production line, currently with an annual capacity of 3 million units, with plans to expand to 5 million units.
In April of this year, Valeo and Stellantis announced the joint launch of Europe's first remanufactured LED headlights and in-vehicle displays. The remanufactured headlights use 50% scrapped parts, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 70%; the in-vehicle displays utilize high-value-added components refurbished in a circular electronics laboratory, making them compatible with multiple Stellantis models.
