DSCC says that even though the display market is facing difficult market conditions, the automotive displays segment is expected to continue growing, and total shipments (both LCDs and OLEDs) are expected to exceed 200 million panels (an average of over 2 displays per car).
OLEDs are still a small percentage of the market (less than 0.5%, in fact), but OLEDs will gradually penetrate high-end applications for flagship models, as OLED makers adopt flexible and tandem-architecture technologies.
DSCC estimates that automotive 12-inch to 14-inch OLED cost more than twice compared to an equivalent LCD, but automotive makers prefer the OLED displays mostly due to the flexibility. LGD display is still the dominate producer with its flexible OLEDs, followed by Samsung Display (rigid tandem OLEDs). Japan's inkjet printing pioneer JOLED in the process of entering the market.
DSCC says that LGD is planning to produce a rigid tandem automotive display using thin film encapsulation, a sort of hybrid device, to reduce production cost. This is the same design that Apple plans to adopt in its iPad displays soon. Chinese OLED makers, led by BOE, are also beginning to supply automotive OLEDs.
