Marelli and Motherson Group ink MoU for smart illuminated exterior parts

Marelli Automotive Lighting, the lighting division of leading global automotive supplier Marelli, and India’s Samvardhana Motherson Automotive Systems Group (SMRP BV) have signed a MoU to explore new technological partnership focused on smart illuminated exterior body parts.

The partners intend to focus on components such as front grills and bumpers, along with other car parts that can be illuminated. These components are expected to become a growing trend in the future of mobility, with increased adoption of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving (AD) in the coming years.

As per the agreement, SMRP BV will contribute its strong expertise in the production of big plastic automotive parts through its operating subsidiaries, while Marelli Automotive Lighting will bring its extensive know-how in the field of automotive lighting and sensors integration to the collaboration respectively. The collaboration will be aimed at OEMs globally and will focus on Smart illuminated front grills and bumpers, as well as on illuminated rear ends, illuminated fenders and illuminated rocker panels.

Alongside the lighting systems, the smart illuminated grills and bumpers are expected to host a number of different sensors aimed at ADAS and Autonomous Driving functions (such as LiDARs, radars and cameras) along with and communication functionalities which include displaying or projecting messages. making them also a tool for sensing and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication. In terms of styling, illuminated parts have also a decorative function, as they can also integrate customised illuminated elements, which are being increasingly used in branding across vehicles.

Both partners expect to further build also on an existing long-standing relationship, which was started in 2008 through a JV to manufacture automotive lighting and related products, with four plants in India.

Sylvain Dubois, CEO, Marelli’s Automotive Lighting division said: “Driving innovation and shaping the future of mobility together with our customers requires not only the ability to best respond to their current needs, but most of all the ability to anticipate forthcoming evolutions and rising market trends. We are glad to join hands again with Motherson, as we already have a long-standing and successful partnership. We are sure that this new collaboration will be a solid step towards achieving new strategic developments in the evolution of the automotive market.”

Vivek Chaand Sehgal, chairman, Motherson Group said, “Product innovation plays a very important role in meeting customer requirements. With the growing customer need to differentiate vehicles through styling elements, we have formed this relationship with our long-standing trusted partner Marelli Automotive Lighting. We are sure that this collaboration will help us develop exciting new products and thereby add value for our customers.”