All-New Opel Astra Launches with Premium LED Light from ZKW

All-New Opel Astra: IntelliLux LED Pixel Light

Intelligent, high-resolution Pixel Lite ensures better road safety and comfort ZKW installed the first version of the pioneering LED Matrix light in the Opel Astra in 2015. Now, the next stage of development is ready to launch: With a total of 168 LED elements (84 per headlamp), IntelliLux Pixel Lite developed by the Wieselburg lighting specialists delivers a precise and fluid lighting gradient tailored to the specific situation at hand, without creating glare for other road users. Light module and electronic components are integrated into the extra-slim front headlamps. IntelliLux precisely cuts out oncoming vehicles in just milliseconds. Other areas continue to be illuminated with full high beams. “Intelligent Pixel Lite used in the new Opel Astra is setting new standards in the compact class. It provides adaptive support to the driver, ensures driving comfort, and delivers more road safety” explains Oliver Schubert, CEO of the ZKW Group.

With a total of 168 LED elements (84 per headlamp) the compact class challenger ensures a precise and fluid light pattern at all times, without dazzling other road users

High-resolution premium lighting

IntelliLux LED Pixel Lite, which is already popular on the Opel models Insignia and Grandland, is now celebrating its debut on the all-new Opel Astra. ZKW has significantly improved and further developed the previous Matrix light. New IntelliLux has more, smaller segments, allowing it to achieve higher resolution and lighting quality: Compared to the previous Matrix system, new Pixel Light has not only vertical, but also horizontal segments for both high and low beams. Technology makes it possible to illuminate the gap created when masking the oncoming vehicle or vehicles traveling in front of the reference car. Other road users are recorded by a front camera, the signals from which control the LED module in the headlamp.

IntelliLux precisely cuts out oncoming vehicles in just milliseconds

Elegant design, Made in Austria

The “wing” design is a striking feature on the daytime running lights of the all-new Opel Astra – it uses specially developed micro-optics to deliver a homogeneous appearance, appearing evenly white when switched off. Exterior chrome plated designer panel underscores the side line of the Opel Astra, which travels over the main headlamp and the grill, and throughout the entire front of the vehicle. IntelliLux was developed at ZKW’s headquarters in Wieselburg. Pixel Lite controller was created through close collaboration between the Wieselburg engineers and the ZKW electronics plant in Wiener Neustadt, where the control modules are also produced.  IntelliLux LED Pixel Lite is manufactured at ZKW’s Slovakian location in Krusovce. in addition to the IntelliLux for the Opel Astra, ZKW also delivers the Opel Insignia headlamps.

!NEW! ZKW Wins GM Awards

Lighting systems specialist from Wieselburg commended for top quality, deliverypunctuality and customer service

The flood of awards for ZKW is reaching its height: on 11 December ZKW CEO Mag. Hubert Schuhleitner received the GM SQ Excellence Award at the headquarters in Wieselburg. The award was presented by Zvonimir Facol, SQ Engineer Deployment at Opel AG. This medal is the reward for the particularly high quality of the supplier services. ZKW obtained 100 of 100 possible points in the assessment for the GM SQ Excellence Award, thus achieving the best possible quality performance. In addition, the lighting systems specialist received the GM Platinum Award for maximum delivery punctuality and optimum customer service. "The GM Awards and the numerous other commendations are the result of the special achievements of our employees. This is of enormous importance to us and reflects an extremely successful year," says Mag. Hubert Schuhleitner, CEO of the ZKW Group.

From left to right.: Karl Stöhr (Customer Director ZKW), Mag. Hubert Schuhleitner (CEO ZKW), Zvonimir Facol (SQ Engineer Deployment Opel AG)

Of the 8,300 European suppliers of General Motors, 191 were rewarded with the GM SQ Excellence Award in eight categories – including Electronics, Interiors, Exteriors and Body. ZKW was one of the few suppliers who were able to achieve two top rankings. The award winners were selected by the GM Top Management in Detroit. The assessment period was the last 12 months. One requirement for nomination is certification according to the international quality standards TS16949 and QSB.

Above all the plant in Wieselburg (Austria) was rewarded for delivery reliability and on-time shipping. ZKW has thus demonstrated highest quality along the entire supply chain. GM has been a customer of the Wieselburg lighting systems manufacturer since 1979. Currently ZKW produces a number of small lamps for the global automobile group. 

ZKW opens new electronics plant in Wiener Neustadt

Production of electronic modules for LED headlights fully up and running

New ZKW electronics plant in Wiener Neustadt

ZKW, an Austrian company specialising in automotive lighting systems, has ignited the next stage in its expansion by opening a new electronics competence centre in Wiener Neustadt. After just eight months of construction work, series production of electronic modules for LED headlights began back in May of this year. The first deliveries of now 75,000 controllers followed in June, while a three-shift operation has been in place since July. Some 240,000 modules and 60 skilled jobs are planned by the end of the year. "The new location has extended our product range to include electronic components that are also used in our LED headlights. The LED systems offer the benefits of intelligent light control and daylight-quality light colour", said Hubert Schuhleitner, CEO of the ZKW Group.

With construction work having started in October 2012, the new state-of-the-art plant is now becoming fully operational. The lighting system specialist from Lower Austria is designing and producing electronic LED controllers on a total area of some 15,500 square metres. 3,494 square metres are devoted to production, the laboratory and logistics, while offices are accommodated on 1,042 square metres. In addition to the already fully automated assembly line, two further production systems are planned for the first quarter of 2014. These should allow for the series assembly of printed circuit boards, amongst other things, with sample production for this already in operation. In addition to this, ZKW is developing its own system for high-precision LED placement.

A focus on further growth

ZKW designs and produces high-quality lighting systems for automakers such as Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volvo. The Wieselburg-based company with six locations was able to increase overall sales to EUR 521 million in 2012. Its personnel numbers rose accordingly from 3,378 employees in 2011 to 3,887 by the end of 2012. The company is continuing to recruit skilled workers for its locations. "By opening the new electronics plant in Wiener Neustadt, we are focusing more intensively on pioneering LED technology and considerably expanding this business area. Our goal is to achieve further growth and sales of EUR 602 million in 2013", said. Hubert Schuhleitner, CEO of the ZKW Group.

"The decision to locate ZKW Elektronik GmbH in the ecoplus Business Park Wiener Neustadt is a vote of confidence in Lower Austria as a place of business and technology. Our regional economic policy sets the right priorities and offers a comprehensive service package to companies wishing to locate in Lower Austria or expand their operations there. This strategy is paying off and 52 location and expansion projects have already been agreed since the start of 2013 with the help of ecoplus. This has meant the creation and securing of 785 jobs", said State Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Petra Bohuslav. 

Inventum Award for ZKW

Complete LED-Matrix headlamps that improve road safety are singled out for praise

Inventum Award ceremony: Department head Christian Weissenburger (bmvit), award recipient Jürgen Antonitsch (ZKW), Dr. Gabriele Ambros (Bohmann Verlag, President of the research organization Forschung Austria), award recipient Andreas Moser (ZKW), Dr. Friedrich Rödler (President of the Austrian Patent Office) (left to right) 

ZKW has been awarded yet another honor for its technological expertise. The Wieselburg-based lighting system specialist has won the gold Inventum Award, which was presented by the Austrian Patent Office and the Bohmann Verlag publishing house on March 4 in Vienna. The reason behind the award was the complete LED-Matrix headlamps developed by the company that do a considerable amount of work to improving safety on the roads. “I am very pleased that our intensive development work in LED technology has been honored with the Inventum Award. The prize is a reward for all of employees’ focused dedication,” said Hubert Schuhleitner, CEO of the ZKW Group.

The Austrian prize for innovation, which is awarded every year by the Patent Office and the Bohmann Verlag, has once again stimulated lively participation among companies, universities, research institutions, and inventors. As the most innovative, “Top 10” invention of the year, the complete LED-Matrix headlamps have won ZKW the gold prize. The second place award went to the Vienna University of Technology and the Medical University of Vienna. Third place was taken by Asamer Basaltic Fibers.

LED Headlamps Promote Better Road Safety

This premium lighting system allows for driving with the high beams permanently on without negatively impacting traffic travelling in the opposite direction or drivers ahead of the vehicle. That means that in the presence of opposite traffic or vehicles in front of the car, the high beams must be automatically dimmed. ZKW has made this happen with its LED-Matrix headlamps that are comprised of individual lighting modules. Cameras at the front of the automobile allow the system to automatically shut off specific LEDs. The dynamic dimming takes place without any moving parts in the headlamps, thus decreasing the risk of faults or failures as well as providing excellent optical precision. With its new LED-Matrix lighting system, ZKW is contributing in a big way towards improving safety on the roads.