As BYD marches toward its 2025 sales target of 5 million vehicles, demand for automotive cameras integrated into its "Sky Eye" advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) has surged dramatically. With a standard configuration of 12 cameras per vehicle, the annual demand is set to reach 60 million units. Global leading suppliers such as Sunny Optical Technology and Lens Technology have emerged as key beneficiaries, leveraging technological prowess and scalable production capacities to secure substantial order growth, driving the evolution of the global automotive camera supply chain.
BYD has accelerated the popularization of its intelligent driving systems, with its flagship models equipped with the "Sky Eye" visual perception solution—encompassing forward-looking, surround-view, and Driver Monitoring System (DMS) cameras. As the 5 million-unit sales goal for 2025 takes shape, the average number of cameras per vehicle has increased from 5-8 units in earlier generations to 12 units. Notably, 8MP high-definition forward-looking cameras have become a standard feature for L3-level autonomous driving, registering the strongest demand growth.
Industry data indicates the global automotive camera market is entering a phase of rapid expansion. According to Yole Group’s forecast, the global market for industrial and security-focused image sensors will reach $3.9 billion by 2030, with the automotive sector contributing the core growth momentum. The average number of cameras per vehicle is expected to rise further to 15-20 units, promising sustained order dividends for the supply chain.
Global suppliers, armed with accumulated expertise in optical design and module integration, have solidified their positions as core partners in BYD’s supply chain:
- Sunny Optical Technology: A global leader in automotive lenses, the company has begun mass production of 8MP forward-looking modules for BYD, featuring high-precision environmental sensing and LED flicker mitigation—critical for L3-level autonomous driving. In October, its automotive lens shipments surged 40.3% year-on-year, with BYD accounting for 35% of total orders. Revenue from automotive-related businesses is projected to exceed $11 billion in 2025.
- Lens Technology: Specializing in surround-view camera modules, the company’s Vietnam facility is ramping up production, with a monthly capacity of 1-1.5 million automotive lenses. Having secured a spot in BYD’s key model supply chain, Lens Technology has continuously shortened order delivery cycles to meet escalating demand.
- Technological Synergy: Global suppliers are aligning with industry trends by integrating advanced technologies such as Backside Illumination (BSI) and Capacitive Deep Trench Isolation (CDTI), enhancing imaging quality in low-light and high-speed scenarios while achieving deep integration with BYD’s ADAS algorithms.
Historically dominated by international brands in the high-end segment, the automotive camera market has witnessed a shift as global automakers like BYD collaborate with technically advanced suppliers. These partnerships have driven the share of innovative suppliers in global supply chains from less than 40% in 2020 to over 65% today. BYD’s soaring demand validates the competitiveness of global suppliers in high-definition, intelligent imaging solutions, propelling the supply chain from "market participant" to "technology leader."
Industry analysts note that as L3-level and above autonomous driving becomes mainstream, automotive cameras will face increasing demands for high resolution, low-noise imaging, and multi-mode adaptability. Global suppliers can leverage this order surge to accumulate technical experience and scale production, further expanding into the supply chains of international automakers and elevating the global competitiveness of the automotive vision industry.
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