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Laster Tech expands production capacity in Taiwan

Siu Han, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES Asia 0

Credit: DIGITIMES

LED automotive lighting module maker Laster Tech has disclosed it has expanded production capacity for headlights controllers at its factory in northern Taiwan.

To meet stably increasing demand from US-based clients, Laster said it added an automated production line for such controllers at the factory.

Production at factories in China's Shanghai and Dongguan was significantly impacted by COVID lockdowns in April and May 2022, but has now been resumed to normal levels, Laster noted.

Orders from China-based clients, mainly Hasco Vision Technology (Shanghai), Varroc TYC Auto Lamps, Great Wall Motor and Guangzhou Koito Automotive Lamp, have been increasing, industry sources said.

LED penetration of automotive headlights for all cars will rise from 60% in 2021 to 72% in 2022, and the penetration for electric vehicles (EVs) alone will rise to 92% in 2022, Laster cited market studies as indicating. Laster currently has LED automotive lighting modules used in new energy cars (EVs are a majority) taking up 17% of all orders.

Demand for smart LED headlights, logo lamps and indoor ambient lights has been growing, Laster noted.

Laster has reported consolidated revenues of NT$434.7 million (US$14.7 million) for June, increasing 43.27% sequentially and 28.89% on year. Consolidated revenues of NT$1.139 billion for the second quarter decreased 26.13% sequentially and 6.32% on year, and those of NT$2.680 billion for January-June slipped 1.30% on year.

Fellow maker Excellence Optoelectronics (EOI) has entered the supply chain of Tesla Model 3 and is expected to supply LED lighting modules for use in new Tesla models in 2023, the sources said, adding EOI has become a supplier for US-based Rivian Automotive and Fisker Automotive and are in talks with US and European clients about electronics technology for use in concept EV models to be launch in 2025-2026.

EOI has reported consolidated revenues of NT$394.8 million for June, growing 24.37% sequentially and 46.33% on year. Consolidated revenues of NT$1.023 billion for the second quarter increased 10.33% sequentially and 20.90% on year, and those of NT$1.950 billion for January-June rose 6.58% on year.