A year of intense change and clear trends

The automotive lighting market through the eyes of M-TECH

The past year has been a period of exceptionally dynamic change for the automotive lighting industry, with implications extending far beyond the purely technological segment. One of the most significant market events of 2025 was the announcement of financial difficulties at First Brands, the owner of, among others, the Philips brand, which was acquired in 2024. This situation directly affected several dozen subsidiaries and, in some cases, led to their liquidation. As a result, 2026 may prove to be a record-breaking year for companies operating in the lighting segment - including M-TECH - that are well prepared to absorb part of the displaced demand and support the continued development of the market.

LED revolution 2.0 and the dominance of retrofits

We are currently witnessing what can be described as “LED Revolution 2.0.” The first wave of LED adoption in the automotive sector took place around 12 years ago, when LED solutions began to be widely implemented in vehicles. Today, however, the market is undergoing a much deeper transformation, driven by the rapid growth of LED retrofit solutions.

Replacements for traditional light sources - such as W5W, C5W (so-called “festoon” bulbs), S25 - as well as headlamp bulb retrofits ranging from H1 to H13, are recording truly astronomical sales growth. An additional catalyst for the market is the activity of EU regulators, who have initiated work on the homologation of retrofit bulbs, starting with the H11 model. This is a clear signal that this segment will continue to expand dynamically.

Changing yet consistent customer expectations

Customer expectations - both from workshops and end users - have remained surprisingly consistent since the pandemic. Two factors are key: higher quality at an affordable price and an increasing emphasis on product durability. While light output and quality remain important, longevity and long-term reliability are becoming equally important - and often even more critical - considerations for users.

Technology driving market growth

Among all product ranges, LED retrofits clearly stand out. They currently generate the highest growth rates, unmatched by any other lighting category. For M-TECH, this segment represents the primary area of development and technological investment.

In the coming years, the company is focusing on systematically extending product lifespan, simultaneously increasing light range and quality, and maintaining stable, reasonable pricing. According to M-TECH, the combination of these three elements will form the foundation of continued market success.

Electric and hybrid vehicles - not yet the time

Interest in lighting solutions dedicated to hybrid and electric vehicles remains marginal for now. Inquiries related to this segment occur only sporadically, due both to the different voltage characteristics used in such vehicles and to the fact that these are predominantly new cars, factory-equipped with advanced lighting systems. The share of so-called “green” vehicles in the overall market is still too small to have a meaningful impact on aftermarket sales statistics.

Workshop lamps - the second fastest-growing segment

Following LED retrofits, workshop lamps have proven to be the second fastest-growing segment in M-TECH’s portfolio. This growth is the result of a consistent strategy focused on delivering robust, efficient, and competitively priced solutions for workshops.

In cooperation with engineering teams, designs have been developed that combine long battery life with very high-quality light, while maintaining strict cost control. As a result, M-TECH can confidently compete with established market brands such as Scangrip and Philips, while preserving its own distinct technological identity.