ams OSRAM, the global leader in automotive lighting, is celebrating a century of innovation in 2025, marking 100 years since the launch of its pioneering BILUX® twin-filament headlight bulb. The company’s year-long celebration honours a legacy defined by revolutionary lighting technologies and an unwavering commitment to improving visibility and safety for road users worldwide.
From the BILUX® lamp in 1925 to today’s intelligent LED retrofit systems, OSRAM Automotive has consistently set industry benchmarks. “Without the powers of innovation and the visionary DNA of ams OSRAM, we would probably still be lagging miles behind in terms of road safety today,” said Adam Wu, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Automotive & Specialty Lamps division. “As the world market leader, we will continue to play our pioneering role in the market.”
Over the last century, OSRAM has introduced some of the most important lighting breakthroughs in the automotive sector, including halogen, xenon, and LED technologies. Notable milestones include the launch of the H7 halogen lamp in the 1990s, still one of the best-selling products globally, and the creation of the first all-LED headlight systems in the early 2000s.
In 2020, OSRAM revolutionised the aftermarket once again with the NIGHT BREAKER® LED, the first LED retrofit headlamp approved for road use in collaboration with Germany’s TÜV and Federal Motor Vehicle Authority. Today, this product line includes multiple types such as H1, H4 and motorcycle-specific variants, and is available for over 1,000 vehicle models in 28 countries. The launch of the TRUCKSTAR® LED further expanded the reach of LED retrofits to the commercial vehicle sector.
“We were the first manufacturer to understand that both drivers and industry needed a legal, simple retrofit solution that didn’t compromise on brightness or safety,” said Carsten Setzer, Vice President, Product Lifecycle Management Lamps & Fixtures at ams OSRAM. “What was once a premium feature is now affordable for everyone — this is the true democratisation of LED lighting.”
Setzer added that the average cost of retrofitting a vehicle with OSRAM’s LED technology is now between €100–120, compared to the €800–1,000 price tag for factory-installed options on new vehicles. However, OSRAM maintains a strict focus on glare-free, approved solutions, which currently require individual vehicle certification.
Expanding Beyond Lighting
In recent years, OSRAM Automotive has grown into a full-service aftermarket partner through its acquisition of RING, a UK-based specialist in vehicle equipment. This move enabled the company to diversify into tire and battery maintenance, dashcams, and bicycle lighting, in addition to its already expansive portfolio of LEDriving® auxiliary lights, warning beacons, and safety solutions.
To support the trade, OSRAM has launched several customer-centric initiatives:
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The Trust Program, aimed at combatting counterfeit products
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The Vehicle Lamp Finder, a tool to help workshops and users quickly identify compatible products
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The “Man in the Van” Roadshow, a mobile training and demonstration platform that directly connects OSRAM with workshops across Europe
Celebrating the Centenary
Under the theme “To be continued. Making you road ready since 1925,” OSRAM is rolling out a packed calendar of celebrations and product launches throughout the anniversary year. The “Man in the Van” trailer will tour Europe, showcasing new innovations in LED lighting, battery tools, and more.
As part of the campaign, OSRAM will also release expanded retrofit options, upgrades for electric vehicles and commercial fleets, and a new generation of sustainable workshop tools — ensuring the brand remains not only a legacy name but a future-forward innovator in the automotive aftermarket.
