
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Insights, Size, and Forecast By Application (Dashboard Lighting, Footwell Lighting, Door Panel Lighting, Ambient Mood Lighting), By Technology (LED, Fiber Optics, OLED, Halogen), By Vehicle Type (Sedans, SUVs, Hatchbacks, Coupes), By Type (Interior Lighting, Exterior Lighting), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa), Key Companies, Competitive Analysis, Trends, and Projections for 2026-2035
Key Market Insights
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market is projected to grow from USD 4.9 Billion in 2025 to USD 11.8 Billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.7% from 2026 through 2035. This growth signifies a robust expansion in a market driven by increasing consumer demand for personalized and premium in car experiences. Ambient lighting in passenger cars involves the integration of various lighting technologies to create a sophisticated and comfortable interior atmosphere, enhancing aesthetics, safety, and passenger well being. The market's upward trajectory is primarily fueled by the rising adoption of advanced automotive technologies, a growing focus on interior design and comfort features in new vehicle models, and increasing disposable incomes leading to higher expectations for luxury and personalization in vehicles. Furthermore, stringent regulations regarding vehicle safety and the integration of ambient lighting for driver assistance features, such as warning signals, are also contributing to market expansion. The continuous innovation in lighting technologies, particularly in LEDs, is providing manufacturers with more versatile and energy efficient solutions, thereby broadening the application scope of ambient lighting.
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Value (USD Billion) Analysis, 2025-2035

2025 - 2035
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The market is characterized by several important trends, including the increasing integration of smart and connected lighting systems that can be controlled via infotainment screens or smartphone apps, offering dynamic color changes and synchronization with music or driving modes. There is also a notable shift towards sustainable and energy efficient lighting solutions, driven by environmental concerns and a desire for longer lasting components. While the market presents significant opportunities, it also faces certain restraints. High initial installation costs for advanced ambient lighting systems can be a deterrent for budget conscious consumers and entry level vehicle manufacturers. Additionally, technical complexities associated with integrating these systems with existing vehicle electronics and ensuring electromagnetic compatibility pose challenges. Nevertheless, the expanding electric vehicle market presents a substantial opportunity for ambient lighting, as EVs often prioritize advanced interior features and a futuristic aesthetic, aligning perfectly with the capabilities of modern lighting solutions. The development of customizable and health centric lighting, such as circadian rhythm supportive systems, also represents a promising avenue for future growth.
Asia Pacific stands out as the dominant region in the global market, primarily due to its massive automotive production base, a large and growing middle class with increasing purchasing power, and the rapid adoption of advanced automotive technologies. The region's vibrant automotive manufacturing sector, particularly in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, is driving both the production and consumption of passenger cars equipped with sophisticated ambient lighting systems. Asia Pacific is also projected to be the fastest growing region, buoyed by consistent economic growth, urbanization, and a strong preference for feature rich vehicles among consumers. Key players like VW Group, Koninklijke Philips, Nissan Motor Corporation, Marelli, Hella, Samsung Electronics, Valeo, OSRAM Licht, Denso Corporation, and Gentex Corporation are actively shaping the competitive landscape. These companies are employing strategies such as product innovation, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market position and expand their global footprint, focusing on developing intelligent and personalized lighting solutions to meet evolving consumer demands. The LED segment holds a significant lead in the market, demonstrating its superiority in terms of energy efficiency, versatility, and aesthetic appeal.
Quick Stats
Market Size (2025):
USD 4.9 BillionProjected Market Size (2035):
USD 11.8 BillionLeading Segment:
LED (85.7% Share)Dominant Region (2025):
Asia Pacific (41.8% Share)CAGR (2026-2035):
8.7%
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Emerging Trends and Insights
Personalized Sanctuary Dynamic Cabin Illumination
Personalized Sanctuary Dynamic Cabin Illumination represents a significant trend in automotive ambient lighting, shifting from static, functional lighting to a deeply immersive and customizable experience. This trend emphasizes creating a tranquil and adaptable interior environment through sophisticated lighting systems. Passengers can now tailor light color, intensity, and even dynamic patterns to match their mood, time of day, or the driving scenario. The "sanctuary" aspect highlights the desire for a private, calming space within the vehicle, enhanced by soft, indirect lighting that minimizes glare and promotes comfort. "Dynamic" refers to the system's ability to evolve and interact, perhaps pulsing gently with music or subtly shifting colors for a more engaging journey. This trend reflects a broader consumer demand for highly personalized and emotionally resonant in cabin experiences, with lighting playing a crucial role in delivering this bespoke atmosphere.
Software Defined Lighting Intelligent Control
Software Defined Lighting Intelligent Control is revolutionizing ambient lighting in passenger cars. This trend moves beyond simple on/off and color changes, allowing for dynamic, customizable lighting experiences. Instead of hardware limiting options, software now dictates how lights behave, enabling complex animations, subtle transitions, and precise mood setting. Users can personalize illumination zones, brightness, and color temperature through intuitive interfaces. Intelligent algorithms can further adapt lighting based on time of day, external conditions, or even occupant preferences, creating a more responsive and immersive cabin environment. This shift prioritizes user experience and adaptability, delivering a sophisticated, highly integrated lighting system that elevates vehicle interiors from functional to truly atmospheric.
Sustainable Aesthetics Eco Friendly Light Guides
Sustainable aesthetics eco friendly light guides represent a significant evolution in automotive interior design. This trend reflects growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious products even within luxury and convenience features. Manufacturers are increasingly integrating materials like recycled plastics or natural fibers into light guide components. These innovations extend to production processes minimizing energy consumption and waste.
Functionally, these light guides deliver the same sophisticated ambient illumination with enhanced eco credentials. They often employ advanced optical designs to maximize light efficiency from fewer LEDs reducing power draw. The aesthetic is frequently characterized by a harmonious integration with natural interior themes utilizing warm color temperatures and subtle, non intrusive lighting effects. This marries luxury with responsibility, aligning with a broader industry shift towards sustainable practices without compromising the premium passenger experience.
What are the Key Drivers Shaping the Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market
Rising Consumer Demand for Personalized Vehicle Interiors and Enhanced Aesthetics
Rising consumer desire for personalized vehicle interiors and enhanced aesthetics is a significant driver. Today's car buyers increasingly view their vehicles as extensions of their personal style and desire a more engaging and unique cabin experience. Ambient lighting offers an effective way to achieve this. Consumers seek customizable color schemes, dynamic lighting effects, and tailored illumination that reflects their mood or preferences. This allows them to create a distinctive atmosphere within their car, moving beyond purely functional lighting to a more emotional and experiential one. The ability to personalize the interior's look and feel, making it more visually appealing and reflective of individual taste, fuels the demand for advanced ambient lighting solutions.
Advancements in LED Technology and Smart Lighting Systems for Automotive Applications
Advancements in LED technology and smart lighting systems are a key driver in the global passenger car ambient lighting market. Miniaturized, more efficient, and color tunable LEDs offer greater design flexibility for automakers. These modern LEDs enable dynamic and personalized interior lighting experiences, moving beyond simple static illumination. Integrated smart lighting systems, often linked to infotainment or driver assist features, allow for sophisticated control over color, brightness, and even patterns. This enhances perceived luxury, comfort, and safety by providing visual cues or adapting to driving conditions. The capability to create highly customizable and interactive cabin environments with these advanced LED and smart systems is increasingly appealing to consumers and a differentiator for vehicle manufacturers.
Increasing Integration of Ambient Lighting as a Safety Feature and HMI Element
The growing recognition of ambient lighting’s dual role in enhancing safety and improving human machine interface drives its integration. Beyond aesthetic appeal, sophisticated ambient lighting systems now actively contribute to driver awareness. For instance, color changing alerts can signal blind spot warnings or lane departure, providing subtle yet crucial visual cues without diverting attention from the road. Furthermore, dynamic lighting can guide occupants to specific controls, highlight charging ports, or offer haptic feedback through light patterns, streamlining interactions with vehicle features. This seamless integration of functional and intuitive lighting transforms the cabin into a more secure and user centric environment, making it an indispensable element for modern passenger cars and boosting market expansion.
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Restraints
Lack of Standardization in Ambient Lighting Systems
Lack of standardization in ambient lighting systems significantly impedes the global passenger car market. Currently, there is no universally adopted set of guidelines or protocols governing the design, functionality, or integration of these sophisticated lighting solutions. This absence of uniformity results in disparate technical specifications across manufacturers and even within different vehicle models from the same brand. Consequently, it creates interoperability challenges for suppliers developing components and modules, as they must cater to a fragmented array of requirements. Automotive OEMs face increased complexity and costs in integrating diverse systems from various suppliers, hindering economies of scale. Furthermore, the lack of common testing procedures and quality benchmarks can lead to inconsistencies in performance and reliability, impacting consumer confidence and adoption. This fragmented landscape delays innovation and widespread implementation of advanced ambient lighting features, ultimately slowing market growth.
High Implementation Costs for Advanced Ambient Lighting
The automotive industry’s pursuit of sophisticated ambient lighting systems faces a significant hurdle due to high implementation costs. Integrating advanced technologies like dynamic light shows, customizable color palettes, and interactive lighting components requires substantial investment. Research and development expenses for new LED architectures, light guides, and control modules are considerable. Furthermore, the manufacturing processes for these intricate lighting solutions are complex and costly, driving up production expenditures. This financial burden is passed on to vehicle manufacturers, who must then decide whether to absorb these costs, impacting their profit margins, or pass them on to consumers, potentially making their vehicles less competitive. The high price point deters broader adoption, particularly in mid range and entry level vehicle segments where cost sensitivity is paramount. This economic barrier limits the widespread integration of cutting edge ambient lighting innovations across the global passenger car market.
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Opportunities
Beyond Aesthetics: Leveraging Smart Ambient Lighting for Functional and Experiential In-Cabin Design
The opportunity transcends traditional illumination, positioning smart ambient lighting as a pivotal element for advanced in cabin design. Moving beyond mere aesthetics, this intelligent lighting becomes a core functional component. It can proactively enhance safety by issuing subtle, intuitive visual alerts for obstacles or vehicle status, guiding occupants discreetly. Furthermore, it supports driver focus and passenger comfort by adapting to external conditions, time of day, or individual preferences, such as reducing glare or stimulating alertness. Experientially, the potential is vast for creating highly personalized and immersive environments. Lighting can synchronize with infotainment, reflect moods, or craft bespoke themes for relaxation, productivity, or entertainment, deeply enriching the journey. This strategic leverage of adaptive, connected lighting transforms the cabin into a dynamic, responsive, and emotionally engaging space, fostering a seamless human vehicle interaction that extends far beyond simple transportation. This represents a significant leap in value proposition.
AI-Powered Adaptive Ambient Lighting: Expanding Beyond Luxury into Mass-Market and Autonomous Vehicles
AI powered adaptive ambient lighting offers a transformative opportunity to expand beyond its luxury car origins into the mass market and autonomous vehicles. This intelligent technology dynamically adjusts color, intensity, and patterns based on various inputs, significantly enhancing occupant comfort, safety, and personalized experiences. The primary opportunity lies in democratizing these sophisticated cabin environments, making them accessible and desirable across all vehicle price points. This fulfills a growing consumer demand for advanced in cabin features.
For autonomous vehicles, adaptive lighting becomes an even more critical interface. It can communicate vehicle status, signal operational modes, and create immersive, multifunctional interior spaces as the role of the driver evolves. Imagine lighting that signals impending actions, reduces motion sickness, or sets a mood for relaxation or productivity. This innovation transforms the vehicle cabin into a responsive, intuitive environment, unlocking substantial growth and market differentiation across the entire automotive sector, particularly in fast growing regions.
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Segmentation Analysis
Key Market Segments
By Technology
- •LED
- •Fiber Optics
- •OLED
- •Halogen
By Type
- •Interior Lighting
- •Exterior Lighting
By Application
- •Dashboard Lighting
- •Footwell Lighting
- •Door Panel Lighting
- •Ambient Mood Lighting
By Vehicle Type
- •Sedans
- •SUVs
- •Hatchbacks
- •Coupes
Segment Share By Technology
Share, By Technology, 2025 (%)
- LED
- Fiber Optics
- OLED
- Halogen

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Why is LED technology the leading segment in the Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market?
LED technology dominates with an overwhelming share due to its superior energy efficiency, extended lifespan, and compact design. These attributes allow for greater design flexibility and integration into various vehicle interiors. LEDs also offer a wide spectrum of color customization and precise illumination control, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and personalized experience that consumers seek in modern ambient lighting systems.
How do specific applications influence the demand for passenger car ambient lighting?
Ambient mood lighting significantly drives demand, moving beyond purely functional illumination to create an immersive and customizable cabin experience. While dashboard, footwell, and door panel lighting remain essential for safety and utility, the desire for personalized aesthetics and comfort elevates the importance of dynamic mood lighting. This shift reflects a consumer preference for interiors that offer both practicality and an enhanced sensory environment.
What role do vehicle types play in shaping the ambient lighting market?
The luxury and premium segments across sedans, SUVs, and coupes are key drivers for sophisticated ambient lighting solutions. SUVs, in particular, offer larger interior spaces, which allow for more extensive and elaborate lighting installations, catering to family and comfort-oriented buyers. While hatchbacks also incorporate ambient lighting, the premium vehicle categories typically feature more advanced and multi-zone systems, influencing market innovation and adoption rates.
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Regulatory and Policy Environment Analysis
The global passenger car ambient lighting market navigates a complex regulatory landscape primarily driven by vehicle safety and environmental compliance. International standards from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ECE and the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards FMVSS indirectly influence interior lighting design, ensuring systems do not create driver distraction or impair visibility. Energy efficiency mandates, such as stricter CO2 emission targets and Corporate Average Fuel Economy CAFE standards, push manufacturers towards low power consumption ambient lighting solutions. Material regulations like RoHS and REACH also impact component selection and manufacturing processes globally. Furthermore, as vehicles become more integrated and autonomous, new policy considerations may emerge concerning interior lighting’s role in passenger comfort, warning signals, and overall cabin experience, potentially leading to future specific guidelines. Evolving cybersecurity regulations also extend to integrated lighting systems.
Which Emerging Technologies Are Driving New Trends in the Market?
The global passenger car ambient lighting market is undergoing transformative innovation. Advancements in LED and Micro LED technologies are driving miniaturization, higher efficiency, and greater design flexibility, enabling more intricate and dynamic illumination patterns. Emerging technologies emphasize intelligent integration, transforming ambient lighting into a crucial component of the in vehicle experience.
Smart lighting systems now synchronize with infotainment, navigation, and driver assistance features, providing contextual cues for safety and comfort. Personalization is paramount, with multi zone control allowing occupants to tailor color schemes and brightness levels to individual preferences or moods. Organic Light Emitting Diodes OLEDs and light guides facilitate seamless integration into various cabin surfaces, including trims and textiles, creating a more cohesive and luxurious environment. Connectivity further enhances customization and allows for over the air updates, ensuring lighting systems evolve with user needs. These advancements are pivotal in shaping future automotive interior design and user interaction.
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Regional Analysis
Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market
Trends, by Region

Asia-Pacific Market
Revenue Share, 2025
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Dominant Region
Asia Pacific · 41.8% share
Asia Pacific stands as the dominant region in the global passenger car ambient lighting market, commanding a substantial 41.8% market share. This leadership is primarily fueled by the robust growth of the automotive industry within countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea. These nations are experiencing increasing demand for premium and technologically advanced vehicle features, including sophisticated ambient lighting systems. Rapid urbanization and a rising middle class with greater disposable income are driving the purchase of cars equipped with enhanced interior aesthetics. Furthermore, the presence of major automotive manufacturing hubs and a strong consumer preference for innovative in car experiences contribute significantly to the region’s sustained dominance. Local manufacturers are also quick to adopt and integrate these lighting solutions.
Fastest Growing Region
Asia Pacific · 9.2% CAGR
Asia Pacific emerges as the fastest growing region in the global passenger car ambient lighting market, projected to expand at a robust CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period of 2026 to 2035. This remarkable growth is primarily fueled by the burgeoning automotive production in countries like China, India, and Japan. Increasing disposable incomes coupled with a rising consumer preference for advanced vehicle features and personalized interiors are key drivers. Furthermore, stringent government regulations emphasizing passenger safety and comfort, alongside technological advancements in LED and OLED lighting solutions, are contributing significantly to market expansion across the region. The strong presence of both established automotive manufacturers and innovative lighting solution providers further solidifies Asia Pacific's leading position.
Impact of Geopolitical and Macroeconomic Factors
Geopolitical shifts impact the global passenger car ambient lighting market through supply chain disruptions and trade policy changes. Regional conflicts can inflate raw material costs and create logistics bottlenecks, affecting manufacturing and distribution. Shifting alliances and political stability in key manufacturing hubs, particularly in Asia, directly influence production capabilities and market access. Regulatory divergence regarding vehicle lighting standards among major economies like the EU, US, and China further complicates market penetration and product development, requiring localized solutions and impacting investment decisions.
Macroeconomic factors significantly shape demand for ambient lighting. Consumer confidence and disposable income levels directly correlate with new car sales, particularly premium models where ambient lighting is a key feature. Interest rate fluctuations and inflation can deter new vehicle purchases, impacting the adoption of advanced lighting systems. Currency exchange rate volatility affects import/export costs for components and finished products, influencing pricing strategies and profit margins for manufacturers operating across borders. Economic downturns lead to consumers favoring more basic vehicle trims, potentially reducing demand for customizable and multi zone ambient lighting solutions.
Recent Developments
- March 2025
VW Group announced a strategic initiative to integrate advanced micro-LED technology into their premium vehicle lines, starting with the 2026 models. This move aims to offer unprecedented customization and dynamic lighting effects, significantly enhancing the in-cabin experience for passengers.
- June 2025
Marelli completed the acquisition of a significant stake in a leading sensor technology startup specializing in ambient light detection and responsiveness. This acquisition is set to bolster Marelli's intelligent lighting solutions, allowing for more adaptive and energy-efficient ambient lighting systems that react to external conditions and passenger preferences.
- August 2024
Koninklijke Philips partnered with Nissan Motor Corporation to co-develop a new generation of smart ambient lighting systems for Nissan's upcoming electric vehicle platform. The collaboration focuses on creating a seamless and immersive lighting environment that can synchronize with infotainment, navigation, and driver assistance systems, improving both aesthetics and functionality.
- November 2024
Hella launched a new series of ultra-thin, flexible OLED lighting modules specifically designed for integration into complex interior surfaces like dashboards and door panels. These modules offer enhanced design flexibility for automakers, allowing for more discreet and aesthetically integrated ambient lighting that consumes less power.
Key Players Analysis
VW Group and Nissan Motor Corporation lead as OEM integrators driving demand for sophisticated ambient lighting solutions. Philips, Marelli, Hella, OSRAM Licht, and Valeo are key technology providers, innovating with LED, OLED, and fiber optic technologies for interior customization. Samsung Electronics and Denso Corporation also contribute with advanced display and control systems. Gentex Corporation focuses on smart lighting integration, enhancing safety and aesthetics. Strategic collaborations and continuous R&D by these players propel market growth, fueled by consumer desire for personalized and premium in car experiences.
List of Key Companies:
- VW Group
- Koninklijke Philips
- Nissan Motor Corporation
- Marelli
- Hella
- Samsung Electronics
- Valeo
- OSRAM Licht
- Denso Corporation
- Gentex Corporation
- LG Innotek
- Aptiv
- Cree Inc.
- BMW AG
- Toyota Industries Corporation
Report Scope and Segmentation
| Report Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 4.9 Billion |
| Forecast Value (2035) | USD 11.8 Billion |
| CAGR (2026-2035) | 8.7% |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2020-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Segments Covered |
|
| Regional Analysis |
|
Table of Contents:
List of Figures
List of Tables
Table 1: Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Technology, 2020-2035
Table 2: Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Type, 2020-2035
Table 3: Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Application, 2020-2035
Table 4: Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Vehicle Type, 2020-2035
Table 5: Global Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Region, 2020-2035
Table 6: North America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Technology, 2020-2035
Table 7: North America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Type, 2020-2035
Table 8: North America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Application, 2020-2035
Table 9: North America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Vehicle Type, 2020-2035
Table 10: North America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Country, 2020-2035
Table 11: Europe Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Technology, 2020-2035
Table 12: Europe Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Type, 2020-2035
Table 13: Europe Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Application, 2020-2035
Table 14: Europe Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Vehicle Type, 2020-2035
Table 15: Europe Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Country/ Sub-region, 2020-2035
Table 16: Asia Pacific Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Technology, 2020-2035
Table 17: Asia Pacific Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Type, 2020-2035
Table 18: Asia Pacific Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Application, 2020-2035
Table 19: Asia Pacific Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Vehicle Type, 2020-2035
Table 20: Asia Pacific Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Country/ Sub-region, 2020-2035
Table 21: Latin America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Technology, 2020-2035
Table 22: Latin America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Type, 2020-2035
Table 23: Latin America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Application, 2020-2035
Table 24: Latin America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Vehicle Type, 2020-2035
Table 25: Latin America Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Country/ Sub-region, 2020-2035
Table 26: Middle East & Africa Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Technology, 2020-2035
Table 27: Middle East & Africa Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Type, 2020-2035
Table 28: Middle East & Africa Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Application, 2020-2035
Table 29: Middle East & Africa Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Vehicle Type, 2020-2035
Table 30: Middle East & Africa Passenger Car Ambient Lighting Market Revenue (USD billion) Forecast, by Country/ Sub-region, 2020-2035
