South Korea Automotive LED Lighting Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 0.98 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 1.21 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 4.22% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
South Korea Automotive LED Lighting Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The South Korea automotive LED lighting market size reached USD 0.98 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand to USD 1.21 billion by 2030 at a 4.22% CAGR, reflecting a steady maturation cycle rather than an early-stage surge. Ongoing regulatory alignment with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, widening electric-vehicle (EV) output, and OEM platform consolidation underpin demand consistency even as price competition intensifies. OEM channels accounted for 81.13% of 2024 revenue, spotlighting the strong factory-fit preference of domestic automakers, while retrofit activity gains speed through affordable plug-and-play kits. Passenger car programs capture 67.42% of installations and register the fastest 8.54% CAGR owing to sizable EV rollouts. Exterior modules hold 76.41% share, yet ambient and infotainment light bars inside the cabin show the strongest 9.63% growth as consumers favor experiential upgrades. Government-funded “smart-road” pilots and micro-LED foundry additions further elevate technical requirements that lift content per vehicle.
Key Report Takeaways
- By sales channel, OEMs led with 81.13% of the South Korea automotive LED lighting market share in 2024; the aftermarket is forecast to grow at a 5.32% CAGR through 2030.
- By installation type, new installations accounted for 61.23% of the South Korea automotive LED lighting market size in 2024, while retrofit upgrades are set to advance at a 5.46% CAGR.
- By vehicle type, passenger cars accounted for 67.42% of the revenue in 2024 and are projected to post the highest 8.54% CAGR through 2030.
- By application, exterior lighting captured 76.41% of the South Korea automotive LED lighting market size in 2024, whereas interior lighting is rising at a 9.63% CAGR.
South Korea Automotive LED Lighting Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory LED DRL regulation (2026) | +1.2% | South Korea national | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Surge in EV production and efficiency needs | +1.8% | National with export spill-overs | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Design-driven consumer up-trading | +0.7% | National, premium segments | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| OEM shift to modular LED platforms | +0.9% | National, Tier-1 suppliers | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Seoul “smart-road” pilot procurement | +0.4% | Seoul metropolitan area | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Tier-2 micro-LED foundry capacity additions | +0.6% | National technology clusters | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Mandatory LED DRL Regulation Creates Compliance-Driven Demand
The 2026 daytime running light mandate under the Road Traffic Act makes LED integration compulsory on all new vehicles and accelerates retrofits of the existing fleet. Predictable compliance volumes enable suppliers to lock in forward contracts and justify extra capacity, while synchronizing conveniently with the EV ramp that values power-efficient optics. [1]Korea JoongAng Daily, “Seoul to install more traffic lights with countdowns for red signals,” koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
EV Production Surge Amplifies LED Efficiency Requirements
Hyundai’s 200,000-unit EV plant in Ulsan coming online in 2026 pushes thermal and electrical efficiency targets that only LED architectures can satisfy. Adaptive, power-managed light modules tie directly into vehicle energy-domain controllers, turning lighting from a commodity into a range-extending subsystem. [2]The Elec, “Hyundai Mobis to expand own production of chips for electric vehicles,” thelec.net
Design-Driven Consumer Preferences Elevate Interior Lighting
SunLike full-spectrum diodes deliver richer color while cutting illuminance demand 18%, matching Korean buyers’ desire for premium ambience without battery penalties. LED mood strips, halo vents, and console accents are evolving into brand-signature elements that justify higher trim pricing. [3]Seoul Semiconductor, “Seoul Semiconductor,” seoulsemicon.com
OEM Platform Consolidation Drives Modular LED Integration
Hyundai Mobis debuts an integrated lamp-driver chip that merges power and control in one package, trimming harness complexity and supporting a single scalable board across multiple nameplates. Platform modularity slashes validation cycles and secures bulk component economics.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volatile rare-earth phosphor prices | −0.8% | Global supply, Korea manufacturing | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Aftermarket import competition | −0.6% | National aftermarket channels | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Smartphone sector chip allocation conflicts | −0.4% | Global semiconductor supply, Korea fabs | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Thermal management limits in compact EVs | −0.3% | National EV segments | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Volatile Rare-Earth Phosphor Prices Pressure Manufacturing Costs
Supply dependence on Chinese yttrium keeps phosphor prices jumpy, with 30% swings inside six months cutting into margin. Korean vendors hedge through dual-source strategies and new chemistries, but approvals lag, sustaining near-term cost risk.
Aftermarket Import Competition Intensifies Price Pressure
Low-cost imports and counterfeit lamps crowd digital marketplaces, forcing domestic brands either to match prices that compress unit profits or to retreat to OEM-protected niches where quality certification holds sway.
Segment Analysis
By Sales Channel: OEM Integration Drives Market Leadership
OEM pipelines generated 81.13% of 2024 revenue, aligning with the vertically integrated nature of Korean assembly networks and warranty-linked quality controls. The South Korea automotive LED lighting market size for OEM deliveries is tracking a stable mid-single-digit expansion as each new platform locks LEDs as baseline equipment. Aftermarket kits, although a smaller slice, are posting 5.32% CAGR on the strength of simplified wire-harness adapters and rising consumer Do-It-Yourself culture.
Supplier logistics investments sustain both channels. IL Cellion’s new Cheonan smart factory trims inbound lead time by 30% and logistics cost by 20%, enabling faster drop-ship to dealer service bays without cannibalizing OEM monthly schedules.
By Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars Lead Electrification Integration
Passenger cars absorbed 67.42% of 2024 turnover and will continue leading at 8.54% CAGR through 2030 as Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis accelerate BEV release cadences. The South Korea automotive LED lighting market size for passenger models benefits from the highest content per unit thanks to sequential animated turn signals and dynamic pixel headlights. Light commercial vehicles adopt LEDs primarily for lower maintenance, yet the replacement cycle remains cautious.
Fleet operators weigh LED savings against capex, so uptake progresses gradually. Heavy trucks and buses trail because long-distance duty cycles amplify thermal degradation, demanding premium thermal substrates that restrain mass rollout until pricing falls.
By Installation Type: Retrofit Market Gains Traction
New-build fitment controlled 61.23% share in 2024 as automakers pre-install DRLs, headlamps, and tail clusters. Retrofit parts are rising 5.46% annually, propelled by mandatory DRL compliance on older cars and style-savvy consumers seeking halo upgrades. The South Korea automotive LED lighting market share for retrofit kits grows proportionally faster than unit shipments due to higher ASPs for color-tunable cabin strips.
Extended ownership cycles in Korea, averaging nine years, widen the addressable pool of legacy vehicles needing lighting refresh. Retailers respond by bundling LED modules with government inspection services, reassuring drivers over roadworthiness and warranty.
By Application: Interior Innovation Drives Premium Growth
Exterior modules such as headlamps and DRLs still generate 76.41% revenue, but cabin illumination is clocking a 9.63% CAGR as automakers install 64-color mood lines, illuminated seat logos, and adaptive footwell lights. The South Korea automotive LED lighting market size for interior systems aligns closely with premium-trim penetration and the surge of display-rich cockpits.
Interior upgrades also ride the EV wave since quieter drivetrains move comfort and mood cues center stage. SunLike diodes, with natural-spectrum output that reduces eye fatigue, help OEMs differentiate infotainment ambience while cutting battery draw.
Geography Analysis
Remaining Segments in Automotive Vehicle Lighting
Seoul’s metropolitan cluster commands the bulk of demand on account of higher disposable incomes and early enforcement of transport regulations requiring DRLs and low-beam upgrades. Provincial manufacturing hubs such as Ulsan, Gwangju, and Asan anchor the supply side, creating dense supplier–OEM linkages that shorten engineering feedback loops. Government-backed smart-traffic investments, including 4,000 LED crosswalk beacons, fuel ancillary demand for compatible vehicle V2X lighting systems.
The South Korea automotive LED lighting market size also reflects export considerations: domestic suppliers design modules that comply with UNECE and U.S. FMVSS beam patterns to streamline outbound vehicle homologation. Hyundai Mobis’s EUR-zone EV power-system plant in Slovakia requires a harmonized headlamp interface, pulling common LED arrays from Korean fabs to European assembly lines.
Regional incentives, such as tax credits for high-efficiency component R&D in Daegu and Busan, attract tier-2 micro-LED startups that pilot advanced substrates destined for next-gen automotive optics. This geographic spread fosters a nationwide ecosystem that balances capital intensity with market proximity.
Competitive Landscape
Domestic leaders Hyundai Mobis, Seoul Semiconductor, LG Innotek, and IL Cellion hold a moderate combined share, while global majors such as Nichia and Valeo supply niche contracts. Hyundai Mobis’s proprietary driver IC reduces external dependency and syncs power management with in-vehicle domain controls, cementing design wins on upcoming EV platforms.
Seoul Semiconductor defends its innovation through patent litigation in Europe, signaling an aggressive stance on intellectual property that deters low-cost imitators. LG Innotek leverages its cross-divisional opto-electronics scale to serve infotainment and exterior lighting bundles, while IL Cellion’s logistics revamp focuses on cost leadership within the aftermarket segment.
Competitive pressure now pivots less on bare lumen output and more on system-level attributes, including thermal models, diagnostics, and software-defined beam patterns. Suppliers able to integrate illumination with ADAS sensors and V2X protocols stand to win a disproportionate share as vehicles transition into software-centric architectures.
South Korea Automotive LED Lighting Industry Leaders
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Valeo S.A.
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Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
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Marelli Holdings Co., Ltd.
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Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
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Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- August 2025: IL Cellion relocated to a Cheonan smart factory targeting 20% logistics savings and 30% faster lead times.
- July 2025: Seoul Semiconductor published a UC Davis study confirming SunLike LEDs need 18% less illuminance while improving color fidelity.
- March 2025: Hyundai Mobis will initiate mass production of lamp-driver semiconductors during H1 2025 and open a Silicon Valley R&D hub in H2 2025.
- February 2025: Seoul announced 4,000 LED countdown crosswalks by 2030, beginning with 650 units in 2025.
South Korea Automotive LED Lighting Market Report Scope
Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Directional Signal Lights, Headlights, Reverse Light, Stop Light, Tail Light, Others are covered as segments by Automotive Utility Lighting. 2 Wheelers, Commercial Vehicles, Passenger Cars are covered as segments by Automotive Vehicle Lighting.| OEM |
| Aftermarket |
| Passenger Cars |
| Light Commercial Vehicles |
| Heavy Commercial Vehicles |
| Two-Wheelers |
| New Installation |
| Retrofit Installation |
| Exterior Lighting | Headlamps |
| Daytime Running Lights | |
| Taillights | |
| Fog Lamps | |
| Turn Signals | |
| Other Exterior Lightings | |
| Interior Lighting | Dome and Map Lights |
| Ambient Lighting | |
| Instrument Cluster and Infotainment Backlighting | |
| Others Interior Lightings |
| By Sales Channel | OEM | |
| Aftermarket | ||
| By Vehicle Type | Passenger Cars | |
| Light Commercial Vehicles | ||
| Heavy Commercial Vehicles | ||
| Two-Wheelers | ||
| By Installation Type | New Installation | |
| Retrofit Installation | ||
| By Application | Exterior Lighting | Headlamps |
| Daytime Running Lights | ||
| Taillights | ||
| Fog Lamps | ||
| Turn Signals | ||
| Other Exterior Lightings | ||
| Interior Lighting | Dome and Map Lights | |
| Ambient Lighting | ||
| Instrument Cluster and Infotainment Backlighting | ||
| Others Interior Lightings | ||
Market Definition
- INDOOR LIGHTING - It incorporates all LED based lamps and fixtures/luminaire that are used to illuminate indoor section of residential, commercial, industrial buildings and agricultural lighting. LED offers efficient brightness with higher durability in comparison to other lighting technology.
- OUTDOOR LIGHTING - It incorporates the LED lighting fixtures that is used for illumination for exterior/outdoor illumination. For instance, LED lighting fixtures used to illuminate streets and highways, transport hubs, stadiums and other public places such as parking spaces.
- AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING - It refers to the lighting fixtures installed for illumination and signaling purposes. It is used in both exterior and interior lighting of the vehicle. Headlamps, fog lamp, daytime running light (DRLs) are examples of exterior light whereas cabin light are interior lights.
- END USER - It refers to the end use application area where the LED fixture will be installed. For instance, in terms of indoor lighting, we have residential, commercial and industrial as end user category. For automotive lighting, primary end user considered are automotive manufacturers and aftermarket sale
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Lumen | Lumen is a unit of luminous flux in the International System of Units that is equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of one-candela intensity radiating equally in all directions. |
| Footcandle | A foot-candle (or foot-candle, fc, lm/ft2, or ft-c) is a measurement of light intensity. One foot-candle is defined as enough light to saturate a one-foot square with one lumen of light. |
| Colour Rendering Index (CRI) | Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measurement of how natural colors render under an artificial white light source when compared with sunlight. The index is measured from 0-100, with a perfect 100 indicating that colors of objects under the light source appear the same as they would under natural sunlight. |
| Luminous flux | Luminous flux is a measure of the power of visible light produced by a light source or light fitting. It is measured in lumens (lm). |
| Annual Energy Cost | Annual Energy Cost means the average daily energy consumption multiplied by 365 (days per year), expressed in kilowatt hour per year (kWh/a). |
| Constant voltage drivers | Constant voltage drivers are designed for a single direct current (DC) output voltage. Most common constant voltage drivers (or Power Supplies) are 12VDC or 24VDC. An LED light that is rated for constant voltage usually specifies the amount of input voltage it needs to operate correctly. |
| Constant Current Driver | Constant current LED drivers are designed for a designated range of output voltages and a fixed output current (mA). LEDs that are rated to operate on a constant current driver require a designated supply of current usually specified in milliamps (mA) or amps (A). These drivers vary the voltage along an electronic circuit which allows current to remain constant throughout the LED system. |
| Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) | Minimum Energy Performance Standards specify the minimum level of energy performance that appliances and equipment must meet or exceed before they can supply or used for commercial purposes. |
| Luminous Efficacy | Luminous efficacy is a measurement commonly used in the lighting industry that indicates the ability of a light source to emit visible light using a given amount of power. |
| Solid State Lighting | Solid-state lighting (SSL) is a type of lighting that uses semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLED) as sources of illumination rather than electrical filaments, plasma (used in arc lamps such as fluorescent lamps), or gas. |
| Rated Lamp Life | Lamp life, also referred to as rated life, is the time in hours a lamp will last before a percentage of lamps will burn out. |
| Color Temperature | Colour temperature is a scale that measures how ‘warm’ (yellow) or ‘cool’ (blue) the light from a particular source is. It is measured in degrees of the Kelvin scale (abbreviated to K), and the higher the number, the ‘cooler’ the light. The lower the ‘K’ number, the ‘warmer’ the light. |
| Ingress Protection rating (IP rating) | The IP (Ingress Protection) rating of a bulb or light fixture declares the level of protection it has against dirt and water. |
| Fidelity Index | The general colour fidelity index, Rf, represents how closely the colour appearances of the entire sample set are reproduced (rendered) on average by a test light as compared to those under a reference illuminant. |
| Gamut Index | The gamut area is defined as “the area enclosed by a set of test color samples illuminated by a light source, in a two-dimensional chromaticity diagram or a plane of color space.”1 Within a defined color space, a “gamut” describes the subset of colors that can be perceived under specific lighting conditions. |
| Binning | In the lighting industry, the act of "binning" of LEDs is the process of sorting LEDs by certain characteristics, such as color, voltage, and brightness. |
| Accent lighting | Accent lighting, also called highlighting, emphasizes objects by focusing light directly on them. Accent lighting is used inside and outside the home to feature locations such as an entrance or to create dramatic effects. |
| Dimmable driver | A dimming driver has two functions: As a driver, it converts the 230V AC mains input to a low voltage DC output. As a dimmer, it reduces the amount of electrical energy flowing to the LEDs, thereby causing them to dim. |
| Flicker | Flicker is the repeated and frequent variation in the output of a light source over time. |
| Fluorescent | A property of materials defined as the ability to emit light after absorbing electromagnetic radiation such as visible or UV light. |
| Candela | The candela is the unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units. It measures the light output per unit solid angle emitted from a light source in a specific direction. |
| LUX | Lux is used to measure the amount of light output in a given area - one lux is equal to one lumen per square meter. It enables us to measure the total "amount" of visible light present and the intensity of the illumination on a surface. |
| Uniformity (U0) | The uniformity of lighting has significant effects on visual performance in both indoor and outdoor areas. Uniformity (represented as U0) value can be found by dividing the minimum brightness (Emin) resulting from calculations according to the current lighting order, to the average brightness value (Eavg). |
| Visible Light Spectrum | The visible light spectrum is the segment of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can view. More simply, this range of wavelengths is called visible light. Typically, the human eye can detect wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers. |
| Ambient Temperature | Ambient Temperature is the temperature of the air surrounding an electrical enclosure. |
| Current-controlled dimming control | Current-controlled dimming controls LED brightness by varying the applied current using a 0-10V dimmer. Current-controlled dimming is smooth and HD-video friendly. It can only dim to a minimum of 5% of light output. |
| Design Light Consortium | It is a partnership of energy efficiency stakeholders in the United States and Canada to “promote quality, performance and energy efficient lighting solutions for the commercial sector”. |
| Pulse Width Modulation | Pulse-width modulation, or pulse-duration modulation, is a method of controlling the average power delivered by an electrical signal. |
| Surface Mounted Device | A surface mount device (SMD) is an electronic device whose components are mounted or placed directly on the surface of a printed circuit board. |
| Alternating Current | Alternating current is an electric current which periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time, in contrast to direct current, which flows only in one direction. |
| Direct Current | Direct current (DC) is an electric current that is uni-directional, so the flow of charge is always in the same direction. |
| Beam Angle | Beam angle (also called beam spread) is a measure of how light is distributed. On any plane perpendicular to the centerline of the light, the beam angle is the angle between two rays where the light intensity is 50% of the maximum light intensity. |
| LED Based Solar High Mast Lighting Systems | A Solar LED High Mast Light is a raised source of High illumination lights (6~8 lights) and with high intensity on the middle of major junctions (Ring roads, Outer Ring roads), turned on or lit automatically in the absence of light (at specified timings or at periodic times, every night). |
| Surface Mounted Diode (SMD) LEDs | A surface mount diode is a type that emits light and is flat mounted and soldered onto a circuit board. |
| Chip on Board (COB) LEDs | A COB LED is basically multiple LED chips (usually 9 or more) glued directly onto a substrate by the manufacturer to form a single module. |
| Dual In-Line Package (DIP) LEDs | A dual in-line package (DIP or DIL) is an electronic component package with a rectangular case and two parallel rows of electrical connector pins. |
| Graphene LED Lights | A graphene LED light bulb is simply an LED light bulb where the filament has been coated in graphene. A graphene LED bulb is reported to be 10% more efficient than regular LED light bulbs and they are cheaper to manufacture and buy. |
| LED Corn Bulbs | LED Corn lights are designed as an energy efficient alternative to high intensity discharge (HID) and SON lamps. It uses a large number of LEDs on a metal structure to provide sufficient light. This arrangement of LEDs looks a lot like a corn cob, hence the name "corn light". |
| Per Capita Income | Per capita income or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita income is national income divided by population size. |
| Charging Stations | A charging station, also known as a charging station or electric vehicle utility, is a power supply that provides electrical energy for charging plug-in electric vehicles. |
| Headlight | A headlight is a light that is mounted on the front of a car and illuminates the road in front of it. Low beam and high beam LED headlights are additional categories for these LED headlights. |
| Day Time Running Light (DRLs) | A daytime running lamp is a white, yellow, or amber lighting device mounted on the front of a road-going motor vehicle or bicycle. |
| Directional Signal Light | Directional signal lights are the front and rear lights on an automobile that flash to show the direction of a turn. |
| Stop Light | A red light that is mounted to the back of a car and turns on when the brakes are used to show that the car is stopped. |
| Reverse Light | The reverse light is at the back of the vehicle to indicate its backward motion. |
| Tail Light | A red light that can be seen in the dark is mounted on the rear of a road vehicle. Stop, reverse, and directional signal lights are all part of it. |
| Fog Light | Bright lights in automobiles used to increase visibility on the road in foggy conditions or to warn other drivers of the presence of the vehicle. |
| Passenger Vehicle | A passenger vehicle is a road vehicle, other than a moped or a motorcycle, intended for the transportation of people and designed for up to 8 to 9 seats. |
| Commercial Vehicle | A commercial vehicle (Bus, Truck, Van) is any type of motor vehicle used to transport goods or pay passengers. |
| Two Wheelers (2W) | A two-wheeler is a vehicle that runs on two wheels. |
| Streets & Roadways | Both roads and streets refer to hard, flat surfaces on the ground on which vehicles, people, and animals can travel. Since streetways are usually in cities and towns, they often have houses and buildings on both sides. The roadway is in the countryside and sometimes passes through forests and fields |
| Horticulture Lighting | Horticulture is the science and art of sustainably growing, producing, marketing and using high quality, intensively cultivated food and ornamental plants. |
Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence has followed the following methodology in all our data center reports.
- Step 1: Raw Data Collection: To understand the market, initially, all crtical data points were identified. Critical information about countries and regions of interest including Per-capita Income, Population, Automotive Production, Interest rate on Auto-Loans, Number of Automobiles on Road, Total LED Import, Lighting Electricity Consumption among others were recorded or estimated based on internal calculations.
- Step 2: Identify Key Variables: To build a robust forecasting model, key variables such as Number of Households, Automotive Production, Road Networks among others were identified. Through an iterative process, the variables required for the market forecast were set, and the model was built using these variables.
- Step 3: Build a Market Model: Based on data and critical industry trend data (variables), including LED pricing, LED penetration rate, and project macro and micor economic factors were utilized for building the market forecasting.
- Step 4: Validate and Finalize: In this crucial step, all market numbers and variables derived through an internal mathematical model were validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from all the markets studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step 5: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
