The Zhitong Finance App learned that according to Omdia's latest research, it is estimated that in the second half of 2026, Chinese panel manufacturers will account for 65.2% of global automotive display shipments, up from 59% in the first half of 2026. This growth continues a significant structural shift in the automotive display production pattern over a long period of time: the market share of Chinese panel makers has more than doubled from 28.1% in 2019 to 56.6% in 2025.
This change reflects the broader industrial restructuring of the display industry. The low return rate of mature LCD production lines is accelerating panel makers outside of China to adopt asset-light strategies, including closing, selling, and transforming production lines, while shifting capital to higher-return business areas. As a result, the number of front-end LCD production lines on the market that can be used for in-vehicle projects is constantly decreasing.
Figure 1: Chinese panel makers' share of global automotive display shipments
Source: Automotive Display Intelligent Service
Low return rate promotes integration of LCD production lines outside of China
The most obvious changes occurred in the field of A-Si and oxide LCD production lines. According to the 2028 scenario forecast selected by Omdia, the number of commercially-usable A-SI/oxide production lines related to automotive displays outside mainland China may be reduced from 7 in 2026 to 3 in 2028.
In mainland China, the a-SI/oxide production capacity base is still more extensive, and production is mainly concentrated in larger G8.x foundries.
The production layout of LTPS LCD is more diversified, but the production capacity base outside of mainland China is maturing rather than expanding. Most LTPS production lines related to automotive displays outside of mainland China have entered mass production before 2015, and the monthly production capacity of a single production line is usually less than 30,000 substrates. Mainland China still maintains a broader LTPS production capacity base, but Omdia currently anticipates that no large-scale additional LTPS LCD production capacity will be put into operation by 2028.
Table 1: Some front-end production line scenarios related to automotive displays from 2026 to 2028
Note: Listed are some commercially-usable front-end production lines related to automotive displays; not all production capacity of these production lines is dedicated to automotive displays.
G8.x OLED investment brings long-term cost opportunities for automotive displays
OLEDs are evolving along different development paths. China continues to invest in G8.x OLED production capacity, including BOE B16, TCL Huaxing T8, and Vicino V5. These higher-generation production lines are expected to prioritize smartphone and IT display needs, and release more G6 OLED production capacity over time for automotive display projects.
A significant portion of G6 OLED production capacity, which is expected to start climbing around 2020, will be depreciated by 2028, which will significantly reduce its cost base and is expected to enhance the competitiveness of OLED in automotive applications. Currently, South Korea is still the only mature automotive OLED production base outside of China.
Stacy Wu (Stacy Wu), senior chief analyst at Omdia, said, “China's leading position in the field of automotive displays is no longer just a reflection of its share of shipments. “The low return rate of mature LCD production lines is prompting panel makers outside of China to adopt asset-light strategies and reallocate capital to higher-return businesses, thus further narrowing the scope of traditional LCD production lines that can be used commercially in the market. For car manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers, this means the importance of long-term access to qualified production capacity throughout the life cycle of a vehicle project is becoming increasingly important.”
Changes in production patterns won't eliminate non-Chinese procurement options, but these alternatives are becoming more specialized. A mature LTPS LCD production line can still provide diversified geographical options, while South Korea is still a mature and major non-Chinese OLED production base.
Over time, the depreciated G6 OLED production capacity supply will increase and the cost base will decline, which is expected to further enhance the competitiveness of OLED in the automotive display field. As procurement strategies continue to evolve, this will provide a more viable technology option for automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.