by LED Light Bars in Cars: Hyundai Believes the Trend Has Run Its Course
Hyundai’s chief designer states that it is time to move away from LED light bars on cars. Simon Loasby, head of Hyundai’s styling department, expressed the opinion that this trend has already become too widespread among manufacturers. He emphasized that he has seen enough of such solutions and that the brand is ready to move forward.
“I’ve seen enough,” Simon Loasby told UK’s Car Magazine.
The Concept Three concept car, unveiled at the Munich Motor Show, no longer features a front LED light bar, confirming the company’s change of course. Hyundai was one of the pioneers of this trend, successfully applying it in models such as the Grandeur, Staria, and Kona, which helped create a recognizable brand image.
Why Hyundai Is Abandoning Light Bars
Loasby noted that LED light bars have become so common that they have lost their uniqueness. He also pointed out the economic aspects: producing such elements is expensive, and not all customers need them. For example, in China, they are almost mandatory, while in Europe, demand for them is lower.
“When is the time you need to let go [of light bars]? It’s almost like the end of that,” Oasby told the UK’s Car Magazine at this week’s Munich Motor Show. “We’ve done it with the Grandeur, Kona and Sonata but now I’m like ‘guys, I’ve seen enough.’”
Hyundai’s New Design Goals
The company strives for consistency but without repetition. Loasby emphasized that Hyundai is trying to ensure significant differentiation between models while maintaining some common features. He noted that this approach may be unusual for the European market, but it works for Hyundai thanks to its broad portfolio.
“We are looking for consistency but huge differentiation,” he explained. “On a European context, that’s probably wrong what we are doing. But it’s right for us, and we have such a broad portfolio, it gives us a very big creative challenge per car.”
Furthermore, Loasby mentioned that other brands have also borrowed some of Hyundai’s design solutions, such as pixel lighting, which appeared in the Fiat Grande Panda. However, Hyundai is already refining this technology, as seen on the Concept Three, which is likely a preview of the future Ioniq 3.
Interestingly, Hyundai, which once set trends, is now actively seeking new ways to distinguish its cars from competitors. Moving away from LED light bars could mark the beginning of a new era in the brand’s design, where the focus will be on innovative technologies and unique features, rather than mass trends. This could also influence other manufacturers who monitor changes in the approaches of industry leaders.
