Automotive Display, Center Console, and Cluster Industry Report 2025: Chinese Brands Embrace HUD-Console Combos Amid Tech Advancements
The “Automotive Display, Center Console and Cluster Industry Report, 2025″ from ResearchAndMarkets.com presents a detailed analysis of how automotive display technologies are evolving to meet the rising demands of intelligent cockpit systems. As automakers strive to differentiate through smarter, more immersive in-cabin experiences, automotive displays—including center consoles, instrument clusters, head-up displays (HUDs), and rear entertainment units—are undergoing transformative changes. This transformation is particularly evident in China, where local brands are leading in innovative display configurations.
Intelligent Cockpits Redefine Automotive Displays
Automotive displays are now central to the evolution of intelligent cockpits, acting as key carriers of information, interaction, and user experience. As the digital cockpit matures, display layouts are becoming more sophisticated, featuring wider integration of HUDs, multi-screen setups, and advanced panel technologies such as OLED and Mini/Micro LED. The trend is shifting away from traditional dashboards toward more adaptive and driver-centric display ecosystems.
Cluster-Free Cockpits Gain Ground—China Favors HUD and Center Console Combos
Inspired by Tesla’s minimalist interiors, the trend of cluster-free cockpits continued to gain momentum in 2024, with annual sales of such models surpassing 1.5 million units—a 50% year-over-year increase. Tesla typically replaces the instrument cluster with a central infotainment screen, but Chinese independent brands are adopting a different path. Instead of relying solely on a central screen, automakers like Li Auto and Deepal combine HUDs with center console displays to convey critical driving information.
- Li Auto’s entire vehicle lineup integrates a three-part system: a HUD, a safety-focused interactive screen, and a center console display, effectively replacing the conventional cluster.
- Deepal models such as the S07, S05, and L07 utilize an AR-HUD in conjunction with a large center console screen to serve as the primary driver interface.
This dual-display approach not only retains critical driving information in the driver’s line of sight but also enhances driving safety and visual coherence.
Rear Entertainment Screens See Explosive Growth
The popularity of rear entertainment screens surged in 2024, with nearly 900,000 new vehicles featuring such systems—a staggering 121.8% increase from the previous year. This growth was largely driven by mid-to-large-sized sedans (48.1% share), followed by midsize SUVs (17.0%) and MPVs (13.1%).
Rear-seat entertainment screens are commonly mounted:
- On the roof above the second row, or
- Behind the front-row center armrest.
Modern units support various interaction modes such as touch, voice commands, gesture control, remote control, and even dedicated functional control screens, adding convenience and luxury for rear passengers.
Combined Displays Continue to Surge—Dual Displays Dominate
Multi-display installations—particularly dual and triple-screen setups—saw strong growth in 2024. Combined display solutions were featured in over 3.37 million vehicles, with triple-display configurations alone reaching around 250,000 units (up more than 200% YoY).
The trend is currently dominated by:
- AITO M9, which captured over 60% of the triple-display market.
- Voyah series, contributing nearly 20%.
Meanwhile, the Lingxi L, launched in September 2024, became the first mass-produced vehicle with a five-display layout, comprising three 12.3-inch primary displays and two 7-inch electronic side mirror (CMS) displays. This points to a future where seamless visual continuity and function-rich cockpits will become mainstream.
OLED Leads the Charge in Display Panel Innovation
Display panel technology is rapidly transitioning from LCD to OLED, especially curved and curved-edge OLED screens, which are now appearing in mass-market vehicles. Foldable and rollable OLEDs, initially developed for smartphones, are also gaining traction in the automotive domain thanks to their flexibility and design versatility.
Key milestones include:
- Voyah Courage, released in October 2024, became the first model to feature a curved-edge OLED screen, developed by BOE Varitronix. The display supports brightness control on the left side and volume control on the right, and is capable of side-sliding movement for user customization.
- Yangwang U7, launched in March 2025, includes a 23.6-inch LCD cluster, a 12.8-inch curved OLED center console, and a 23.6-inch OLED co-pilot display—a setup that first debuted in the Yangwang U8 with a curvature of R800.
These developments reflect a broader trend: the use of OLED to create thinner, brighter, and more responsive displays with higher design freedom, facilitating a futuristic in-cabin experience.
Foldable and Rollable OLEDs on the Horizon
Foldable and rollable OLEDs offer adjustable forms that can adapt to different in-vehicle use cases, such as transforming from infotainment to navigation displays or retracting when not needed. While these technologies are still in early-stage deployment for vehicles, they are backed by mature ecosystems from the smartphone industry.
Benefits of foldable/rollable OLEDs in vehicles include:
- Space optimization
- Enhanced safety via adaptive interfaces
- Improved cockpit aesthetics
Major suppliers are actively developing and refining these solutions, aiming to overcome technical hurdles such as durability and temperature resistance in automotive environments.
Technology Trends: From Mini LED to Micro LED
Automotive display manufacturers are also investing in Mini LED and Micro LED technologies. These alternatives to OLED provide excellent brightness, contrast, and energy efficiency.
- Mini LED: Offers localized dimming and superior contrast, but challenges remain in terms of cost and large-scale automotive integration.
- Micro LED: Seen as the next frontier due to its low power consumption, high durability, and exceptional image quality. However, significant technical barriers—such as manufacturing complexity and cost—still need to be addressed.
OEMs and panel manufacturers are actively piloting Mini LED backlit displays, while early-stage Micro LED applications are being explored in concept models and premium trims.
Forward-Looking Applications and Emerging Layouts
Automotive display innovation is also moving toward transparent displays, anti-peep privacy screens, multi-angle displays, and point-to-point (P2P) visual sharing. These next-gen technologies promise to deliver a truly immersive and interactive in-cabin environment.
Additionally, co-pilot and multi-screen layouts are becoming more affordable, with some configurations now available in vehicles priced as low as ¥100,000–¥150,000. This democratization of display technology is expected to accelerate adoption across vehicle segments.
Supplier Ecosystem: Tier 1s and Panel Providers
The report also provides a comprehensive overview of leading global and Chinese suppliers in the automotive display domain:
Tier 1 System Suppliers:
- Continental
- Denso
- Visteon
- Bosch
- FORVIA
- Marelli
- Desay SV
- Huawei
- Mobis
- ADAYO, among others
Panel Manufacturers:
- BOE
- LG Display
- Tianma Microelectronics
- JDI
- AU Optronics
- Visionox
- Innolux
- CSOT
- HKC
These suppliers are playing a pivotal role in advancing panel technologies, integrating cockpit electronics, and enabling OEM-specific innovations.
The 2025 landscape of automotive displays reflects a paradigm shift in how vehicles are designed and experienced. From HUD-integrated cockpit systems to curved OLEDs and emerging rollable solutions, the industry is embracing smarter, more interactive, and flexible display architectures. Chinese automakers are leading the charge with diverse configurations that balance safety, aesthetics, and function. As panel technologies advance and costs decline, high-end display features are expected to trickle down into mid-tier and even entry-level vehicles, redefining the standard for in-cabin digital experience globally.
