Reshaping the Automotive Display Supply Chain | Part 1
Supply Structures for Optical Bonding, Electronic Modules and Vehicle Installation
Written by: Changwook Han, Principal Analyst
1. Changes in Display Orders and Module Products
Automotive display panel makers are expanding their supply scope to modules that include touch sensors, covers, circuits and mechanical components. As components and assembly beyond the panel become part of their deliveries, their business partly overlaps with Tier 1 suppliers that have developed complete units incorporating displays.
Table 1. Announced Display Orders and Changes in Product Mix
| Company and Period | Company Announcement |
| Visteon, 2025 | USD 3.6 billion in new display business 48.6% of total new business of USD 7.4 billion |
| BOE Varitronix, 2025 | The revenue share of high-value products with moving mechanisms doubled from 2024 |
| BOE Varitronix, H1 2026 | Won an assembly platform project worth around RMB 1 billion from a major Chinese OEM Shipments of ceiling-mounted displays roughly doubled year on year |
In its 2025 results announcement, BOE Varitronix said it would strengthen early-stage design, joint development and platform integration with existing Tier 1 customers. Its assembly orders and joint development plans included direct OEM supply and expansion of its module business through existing Tier 1 suppliers.
Sources Visteon, 2025 results, 2026.02.19 / BOE Varitronix, 2025 results / H1 2026 results
2. Module Integration Scope and Design Tasks
Module supply scope can be divided into display and input (A), optical bonding (B), electronic modules (C) and vehicle-ready modules (D). Beyond basic panel driving, C includes module-level power management, control and diagnostics. The actual configuration and division of work vary by project.
Table 2. Module Supply Scope and Key Design Tasks
| Supply Scope | Main Components and Functions | Design and Validation Tasks / Responsible Parties |
| A Display and input | Panel, basic drive circuitry, touch sensors and control | Display performance and touch operation Mainly panel makers |
| B Optical bonding | A + cover and optical bonding materials | Curvature, reflection, alignment, post-bonding touch performance and strength Panel makers or bonding companies |
| C Electronic module | B + PCBA, power, video receiver, control and diagnostics | Power sequencing, video interfaces and error handling Panel makers or Tier 1 suppliers |
| D Vehicle-ready module | C + housing, heat dissipation, mounting or moving mechanisms | Mounting structure and vehicle integration Module integrators, OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers |
Optical bonding (B) and electronic modules (C) add cover bonding and circuit design. Vehicle-ready modules (D) also include mounting structures, final assembly and vehicle integration. Even with the same panel, the module configuration changes the quotation items and the scope of development and quality support.
Bonding Methods and Module Costs
Costs beyond the panel include covers, adhesives, circuit components, housings, assembly and inspection. A broader supply scope increases revenue as well as component procurement, processing and validation costs.
In its 2019 ColdForm announcement, Corning stated that curved cover components could cost up to 40% less than thermoformed components. Bonded module costs depend on the cover price, adhesives, bonding processes and inspection conditions.
Panel Changes and Circuit Revalidation
Changes to the panel and bonding structure also affect power and video connections, mechanical tolerances and test conditions. Additional development costs and schedules may vary with the extent to which existing circuits and validation results can be reused. In electronic module supply, these change-related costs, alongside panel prices, affect the economics of product replacement.
Sources UBI Research, 2026 Automotive Display Technology, Supply Chain and Market Outlook report / Corning, AutoGrade and ColdForm announcement, 2019.01.14 / BOE Varitronix, Automotive Cockpit
3. Module Development and Supply Scope by Company
Table 3. Disclosed Capabilities and Providers by Module Integration Scope
| Company | A Display and input | B Cover and bonding | C Power, control and diagnostics | D Mechanics and vehicle integration |
| Samsung Display |
Supplies MINI’s circular touch OLED | Unveiled multi-lamination for multiple displays | Own supply scope for PCBA and module diagnostics unconfirmed | Own supply scope for mechanics and vehicle integration unconfirmed |
| LG Display |
Automotive LCD and OLED portfolio | Disclosed development extending from cover-glass modules to FIDM | Applies in-house diagnostic and control software; achieved ASPICE CL2 | Disclosed FIDM development Detailed mechanical and production scope unconfirmed |
| BOE Varitronix |
Display and touch products | Cover, curved-surface and optical bonding solutions | Mass-produces display systems; won assembly platform orders | Expanding products with moving mechanisms |
| AUO Including expertise across the group |
AUO display and touch capabilities | AUO demonstrated fully bonded FIDM Plus | BHTC: central display, touch and HMI development | BHTC: module development and OEM support |
| CarUX Innolux group |
Module business based on Innolux panels | Integrates touch and covers; works with Corning on appearance and glass technology | Supplies FIDM including PCBA | CarUX mechanical integration and Tier 1 customer support |
Samsung Display: Bonding Multiple Displays
At IAA Mobility 2025, Samsung Display unveiled a product that combined two displays through multi-lamination. The panel-to-cover bonding structure gives multiple displays a unified appearance.
LG Display: FIDM and Diagnostic Functions
In its 2026 interim filing, LG Display reported development extending from cover-glass modules to FIDM (Fully Integrated Display Module). In June that year, it announced ASPICE CL2 attainment for automotive displays using in-house diagnostic and control functions. Its disclosed development scope includes control and diagnostics alongside bonding.
BOE Varitronix is expanding mass production of display systems and products with moving mechanisms. AUO has brought BHTC’s display development and OEM support capabilities into its group, while Innolux affiliate CarUX is pursuing FIDM including PCBA and mechanical components. Approaches to module business expansion differ, encompassing in-house development, group resources and complete module supply.
Sources Samsung Display, IAA 2025 / LG Display, interim filing, 2026.08.07 / LG Display, 2026.06.02 / AUO, FIDM Plus, 2023.01.05 / BHTC, MINI development, 2023.09.21 / Pioneer, joining CarUX, 2025.12.01 / Corning, joint development with CarUX
4. Panel Supply and Module Integration by Project
GV90: Roles of Samsung Display and LG Electronics VS
Samsung Display announced that it supplies the 24.6-inch central OLED for the Genesis GV90, while LG Electronics unveiled a 24.6-inch adjustable pop-up display system for the same vehicle. This illustrates separate roles in panel supply and display system development, including mechanics. In separate product materials, LG Electronics VS also presented integrated circuitry for dual displays and in-house optical bonding for large displays.
Panel makers can supply optical bonding or electronic modules while Tier 1 suppliers handle mechanics and vehicle connections. If panel makers expand to complete vehicle-ready modules, their supply scope may overlap with Tier 1 product offerings.
Hyundai Mobis: Swivel Display Mechanics and Position Control
In its 2022 swivel display development announcement, Hyundai Mobis described screen alignment, position control and integrated cockpit design technologies. The product combines display functions with a moving mechanism, extending development beyond panels and circuits to wiring, heat dissipation and durability requirements.
Table 4. Division of Work by Module Supply Scope
| Supply Type | Panel Maker’s Scope | Tier 1’s Scope |
| Partial module supply | Optical bonding (B) or electronic module (C) | Remaining mechanics, final assembly and vehicle connections |
| Complete module supply | Vehicle-ready module (D) Integrated in-house or with partners |
Connection to higher-level vehicle systems May compete for the same module order |
MINI: Panel Supply and BHTC’s Module Development
For MINI’s circular display, Samsung Display announced panel supply, while BHTC announced development of the central touch display in cooperation with Samsung Display. BHTC subsequently joined the AUO group in 2024. The developer of a module using Samsung Display panels thus became part of a competing panel group.
Elantra: BOE Modules Made in Vietnam for a Korean OEM
In its H1 2026 materials, BOE Varitronix said it mass-produces center displays for Hyundai’s eighth-generation Elantra in Vietnam. Its interim filing also noted supply to Korean customers from Vietnam and expanded production of complete assemblies. This shows a foreign supplier’s modules and production base participating together in a Korean OEM’s display supply chain.
Sources Samsung Display, GV90 supply / LG Electronics, GV90, 2026.10.08 / LG Electronics VS, Automotive Display / Hyundai Mobis, 2022.05.22 / Samsung Display, MINI, 2024.06.13 / BHTC, MINI and development role / BHTC, joining AUO, 2024.04.02 / BOE, H1 2026 filing
5. Directions and Outlook for Module Business Expansion
Future expansion of supply scope may differ with each company’s development work and customer projects. Samsung Display’s multi-display bonding relates to broader optical module offerings, while LG Display’s FIDM and diagnostics relate to electronic module expansion. Vehicle-ready supply adds mechanical design, assembly and production sites.
Table 5. Development Items and Review Stages by Module Scope
| Supply Scope | Samsung Display Items | LG Display Items | Relevant Review Stage |
| A Display and input | Supply configuration for panels, touch and basic driving | Application conditions for LCD, OLED and existing modules | Product planning and requirements review |
| B Optical bonding | Covers, material combinations and optical variation in multi-lamination | Bonding conditions for cover-glass modules and FIDM | Optical and mechanical specification review; sample evaluation |
| C Electronic module | Responsibilities for module power, video reception and diagnostics | Connection requirements for diagnostic and control software and customer PCBA | Circuit and interface review; operational testing |
| D Vehicle-ready module | Housing, heat dissipation, mounting structure and supply responsibilities | FIDM scope for mechanics, assembly and vehicle integration | Production scope at quotation stage Mounting, durability and integration tests before mass production |
2027–2029 Outlook: Greater Electronic Module Integration and Diverging Vehicle-Ready Supply
Module development may increasingly combine cover bonding with power, control and diagnostics. In large displays and movable products, optical quality is interrelated with power and video connections and the validation of operating states.
In vehicle-ready supply, each company’s participation is likely to vary with its mechanical design capabilities and production base. Where existing Tier 1 suppliers handle final integration, panel makers may supply both optical and electronic modules. The same supplier is likely to continue delivering different scopes for different customers.
Supply Scope and Use in Subsequent Vehicle Models
Module revenue varies with the number of supplied components and shipment growth by customer. The extent to which existing circuits and validation results can be reused in subsequent vehicle models also affects development costs. Business results are likely to differ with the scope of bonding, circuitry and mechanics included in actual orders, and how extensively these are reused in subsequent products.
Sources UBI Research, 2026 Automotive Display Technology, Supply Chain and Market Outlook report / Samsung Display, IAA 2025 / LG Display, FIDM development filing / LG Display, diagnostic and control software / BOE Varitronix, 2025 and 2026 results