Head-Up Display Gaining Market Traction

Distracted driving is a huge problem today. With cell phones and screens, it’s no surprise that one in four car accidents are caused by distracted drivers. It claimed 3450 live in 2016! How are carmakers responding to this epidemic? With more technology!

Hands-free calling and voice commands were the beginning, but now head-up displays (HUD) are a new solution. HUD is a transparent display that shows up in your line of vision while driving. No need to look at a screen or your dash, keeping your attention on the road.

This tech was created for military pilots. As of now, mostly luxury vehicles sport this newer feature – BMW, Lexus, Jaguar and Mercedes to name a few. Dealers can expect to start seeing more technology like this. Mazda, a mainstream brand, is now featuring HUD in some of its vehicles.  Chevrolet debuted it in the Corvette and is not including it in some of its high-end SUVs. It’s only a matter of time until we see it in more everyday vehicles.

The HUD market is expected to hit $1.1 billion this year and $4.3 billion by 2025. 3D HUD technology is the newest interest from consumers. Passenger cars – like Camrys, Accords, Malibus – are expected to become the most popular vehicles for HUD as the technology becomes more accessible.

While the feature is thought to make driving safer, some think it has the opposite effect. Having the display directly in the line of vision at all times is distracting to some. This camp also argues that there’s no information in a modern vehicle that needs monitored that closely.

So what does all of this mean for dealers? It’s new technology your sales staff has to be trained on. It’s another electrical thing your technicians need to know how to fix. But, it could bring interest from consumers looking for this feature, meaning more sales. Whether these bold projections pan out are a little bit of wait and see situation.

If you’re interested in having HUD, but don’t want to buy a new vehicle, you can purchase one aftermarket starting around $50 if you’re looking for something simple. Is HUD something you want? Do you think it will become as popular as they project it to?