(March 16, 2011) HILLSBORO, N.H. (PRNewswire) — Though High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights made their debut more than a decade ago, they are not catching on as quickly as other safety features like traction control, stability control and tire pressure monitoring.

OSRAM SYLVANIA executives see this as a missed opportunity. The cost to install HID is relatively low when available as an option, which means dealers can offer car buyers a great safety feature while making a profit.

OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products.  The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand.

According to Sharon Ernest of OSRAM SYLVANIA, about 22 percent of new vehicles in 2007 came with HID as standard equipment or offered it as an upgrade. By 2015, 38 percent of new vehicles will feature HID as standard or optional. Yet Ernest expects the take rate to only increase about 3 percentage points, unless dealers start making it easier for consumers to upgrade their headlights to HID.

HID lighting, also referred to as Xenon lighting, provides the brightest illumination available and is considered the benchmark against which other forward lighting technologies are measured.

Xenon provides three times the light output of standard halogen lights and promotes better driving visibility by providing enhanced peripheral vision and improved down road illumination. HID lighting produces a crisp white light that stimulates reflective paint in road markers and signs. Plus, HID lights do not have a filament to break or degrade so they last up to 10 times longer than standard halogen bulbs.

"HID is a great safety feature for consumers, and dealers can make an easy profit on it," said Ernest. "But they seem to be bundling it with more expensive packages that consumers aren't as willing to invest in. Making it a stand-alone option would be ideal."

Past research indicates that drivers with HID feel a greater sense of safety. This is likely because HID allows drivers to see potential dangers sooner and adds 30 to 50 more yards of effective stopping distance. HID bulbs produce a light that resembles natural sunlight, which according to research, makes it easier for the human eye to see objects in low light conditions.

Xenon lights are also energy efficient: Bi-Xenon lighting uses up to 65 percent less light than conventional quad lighting.