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Optronics Expands Compliant Blackout Lighting Family With Two Thinline, LED Surface-Mount, LED Stop/Turn/Tail Lamps

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Optronics’ new Thinline surface-mount lamps broaden the industry’s first FMVSS/CMVSS 108-compliant family of smoke-lens, LED stop, turn, tail, backup and clearance marker lamp family.

TULSA, Okla., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Optronics International, a leading manufacturer of vehicle harnesses, electronic control systems and LED lighting for the global transportation industry, announced the release of its smoke-lens Thinline STL59SRSHB Series 9-LED and STL87SRSHB Series 11-LED surface-mount, stop/turn/tail lamps. Optronics’ entire family of blackout-style lamps will be on display to the industry during the NTEA Work Truck Week 2024, March 5–8, 2024, in booth 952.

“The rising trend of blackout packages in the commercial vehicle sector, especially concerning truck beds on work trucks, is undeniable.” – Dustin Smith

The two new, thin, surface-mount-style lamps are the latest additions to Optronics’ family of eight smoke-lens LED lights. First introduced in 2020, Optronics’ blackout lights are renowned for their truly black appearance when not illuminated and their ability to meet FMVSS 108 and CMVSS 108 compliance when illuminated. The lamps are also on the leading edge of commercial vehicle styling.

“The rising trend of blackout packages in the commercial vehicle sector, especially concerning truck beds on work trucks, is undeniable,” explained Dustin Smith, vice president of sales for Optronics. “Driven by evolving preferences in both the automotive industry and broader industrial design community, adopting a completely black aesthetic enhances the visual prominence of a vehicle’s shape, while allowing its other features to blend in.”

Some lighting manufacturers, especially those catering to the automotive aftermarket, have tried to respond to the increasing preference for less noticeable blackout-style lighting. However, initial efforts fell short of complying with FMVSS 108 and CMVSS 108 photometric standards.

“Before Optronics, there was just not a viable, compliant solution of smoke lights that we felt comfortable to install on our truck beds,” said Greg Chumchal, president of Bedrock Truck Beds. “There were some lights with dark lenses, but that also made them less able to emit the correct amount of light to pass federal requirements, and let’s face it: Having a non-compliant light is like having no light at all.”

The new 9-LED and 11-LED lamps are both examples of Optronics’ dedication to creating the darkest possible smoke-lens lights. The company’s engineers innovated by using black printed circuit boards (PCBs) inside the lamps, minimizing reflection when the lights are off. Unlike conventional LED lights that feature white or reflective chrome-like PCBs to boost brightness, Optronics’ smoke-lens lights rely on their high-intensity LEDs to achieve the necessary brightness levels for compliance with federal photometric standards.

As the sole commercial lighting manufacturer to offer genuinely compliant blackout lights, Optronics has met market demand head-on. The company now offers an extensive selection of LED smoke-lens lighting products. This range includes everything from small, 3/4-inch round, single-diode marker/clearance lights to diamond-shaped, three-diode marker/clearance lights, as well as 4-inch round, six-diode backup lights and 6-inch oval, six-diode stop/turn/tail lights, among others. The company is also planning a blackout version of its popular Fusion Series stop/ turn/tail/backup combo lamp.

“The more varieties we produce, the more varieties people seem to request,” Smith commented. “It’s clearly a trend that, as of now, shows no indication of diminishing.”
Although the Thinline Series is suitable for both trailers and box trucks, regardless of their width, Optronics anticipates a particularly strong response from the work truck segment. The flexibility offered to body designers of work trucks in terms of where and how lighting is installed means that the new Thinline smoke-lens lamps are especially relevant for these vehicles.
The lamps’ lenses are made of tough polycarbonate material that is sonically welded and resistant to dust and moisture. The lamps employ a solid-state, surface-mount device (SMD) design that protects their electronics against moisture, shock and vibration. Like all LED products from Optronics, these lamps come with a no-hassle, one-diode lifetime warranty protection that will replace a lamp if even one diode fails.
The smoke-lens Thinline STL59SRSHB Series 9-LED and STL87SRSHB Series 11-LED surface-mount, stop/turn/tail lamps are in stock and available for shipping immediately.

Optronics products are available in the U.S. and Canada through the company’s extensive distribution network of more than 30,000 convenient distribution locations. Users can access individual Optronics distributor websites by simply clicking on their logo icons. For information on international sales and distribution of Optronics products, please contact Dorian Drake at +1 (914) 697-9800, or visit http://doriandrake.com.

To view high-resolution product images of the new Thinline STL59SRSHB Series, 9-LED, and STL87SRSHB Series 11-LED, surface-mount, stop/turn/tail lamps, please visit https://www.optronicsinc.com/RESOURCES/ImageGalleries/SmokeFamilyV2.aspx.

About Optronics
As the fastest-growing vehicle lighting and harness manufacturer in the U.S., Optronics International attributes its success to delivering better value, better options and better systems to its customers. Founded in 1972, Optronics International is a premier worldwide manufacturer and supplier of branded industrial and commercial vehicular safety lighting products and premium, custom electrical wiring harnesses for commercial vehicle applications. The company specializes in electrical system and harness design and interior and exterior LED and incandescent lighting for heavy-duty on- and off-highway vehicles, armored couriers, light- to medium-duty trailers, specialized vocational equipment, transit vehicles, RVs and marine equipment. The company’s patented USA-PLUS system provides the most advanced molded harness connections available in the market. The Optronics product catalog is among the most extensive in the industry. Optronics is headquartered in a 200,000-square-foot, ISO 9001-certified manufacturing, distribution, research and development facility on a 17-acre campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It has a 1,000,000-square-foot, IATF 16949-certified manufacturing facility in Annan District, Tainan, Taiwan. The company also has a manufacturing and distribution facility in Goshen, Indiana, and a wire harness manufacturing plant in Winnsboro, Texas. Learn more at http://www.optronicsinc.com/.

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Rick Ashley, OctaneVTM, 317-920-6105, rashley@octanevtm.com

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SKYWORTH Solar Announces Global Launch of Solavita as a Smart Microgrid Brand

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SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SKYWORTH Solar has officially announced the global launch of Solavita, its dedicated brand for smart microgrid solutions. Positioned strategically as “A Smart Microgrid Expert for Diverse Energy Scenarios,” Solavita consolidates the company’s extensive solution portfolio and service infrastructure under a unified global identity, building upon its rapidly expanding international footprint.

Addressing Grid Flexibility and Long-Term System Value

The launch comes as electricity systems face growing demands for flexibility. The International Energy Agency’s 2026 mid-year electricity update highlights the importance of flexible resources and more efficient use of infrastructure as renewable generation expands. For customers, the priorities vary by market: managing electricity costs, using more locally generated solar power, or maintaining essential loads where grid supply is unreliable.

“As renewable energy becomes more distributed, the long-term performance of the whole system becomes increasingly important,” said Fan Ruiwu, Chairman of SKYWORTH Solar. “We see that performance as the foundation of our international energy business. With Solavita, we are bringing our capabilities together around a common approach to solution development and service, while working with local partners to adapt delivery to each market. Our focus is on the value these systems provide throughout their life.”

Solutions for Different Energy Needs

To address the dual challenges of grid volatility and operational cost, Solavita engineers its systems around a core architectural philosophy prioritizing grid-forming stability, intelligent automation, cross-generation efficiency, and multi-tier security. Translating these technical principles into practical applications, the brand introduces a comprehensive solution matrix tailored to specific market demands.

For residential users, the SolaHome suite utilizes an advanced Home Energy Management System (HEMS) to seamlessly coordinate rooftop solar, battery storage, and flexible domestic loads like heat pumps and EV chargers. In markets with dynamic electricity tariffs, such as Germany, HEMS automates energy dispatch to capitalize on low-price periods. This practical value is evidenced by a recent residential installation in Jesteburg, Germany, combines 18.9 kW of rooftop solar with 20.48 kWh of battery storage. Solavita reports nearly €50 in electricity-price arbitrage benefits during the first month of dynamic-tariff operation.

Expanding beyond the home, the portfolio scales up with SolaBiz, which integrates distributed solar, commercial storage, and smart dispatch to help factories and retail spaces manage peak-demand costs and safeguard against grid disruptions.

For larger utility and off-grid demands, SolaMatrix delivers scalable, containerized storage and microgrid management focused on stabilizing renewable integration in weak grid environments.

Finally, ensuring energy access in highly mobile contexts, SolaGo offers plug-and-play balcony solar and portable power systems for outdoor activities and critical emergency backup, completing Solavita’s end-to-end coverage of modern energy applications.

Global Engineering Foundation and Ecosystem Delivery

To guarantee the reliable implementation and long-term asset value of these diverse solutions, SKYWORTH Solar underpins Solavita with a robust global engineering foundation.

On the technology front, the Smart Microgrid Technology Centre connects cutting-edge research with product engineering, supported by academic collaborations with Tianjin University and Hainan University. This pipeline is further strengthened by a comprehensive Haikou test platform—scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2026—to rigorously validate grid-connected, islanded, and grid-forming systems.

The InfraCosmos Digital Platform supports lifecycle data management, operational monitoring and fault identification. It connects system information with service and maintenance, helping teams monitor performance and respond to operating issues.

Beyond hardware and software, this foundation extends to flexible supply chain execution and strategic project delivery. Solavita employs F+D+EPC+O (Financing, Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations) framework for large-scale, asset-light project coordination, alongside a localized PD2C cooperation model actively deployed in markets like Germany and Italy to ensure rapid, market-specific service.

These capabilities underpin Solavita’s positioning as a smart microgrid expert, connecting system development with local delivery and ongoing service. The aim is to make integrated energy systems practical to deploy and support in each market.

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SOURCE SKYWORTH Solar

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TCL Donates Ultra-Low-Power Display System to the Youth Olympic Village, Bringing Advanced Display Technology to Everyday Use

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The donation of the display, featuring TCL CSOT’s high-brightness Field Sequential Color technology, continues TCL’s long-term commitment to the African market

DAKAR, Senegal, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TCL, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, donated an ultra-low-power display system powered by solar energy to Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow (UAM) in Senegal. Delivering outdoor brightness at roughly half the power consumption of comparable displays, the system will serve as an information hub on the UAM campus, which will also serve as the Youth Olympic Village during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Attendees at the donation ceremony included IOC President, Kirsty Coventry; UAM President, Professor Mababa Diagne; Senegal Higher Education Minister, Boubacar Camara; TCL Charity Ambassador, Jacky Heung; and General Manager of TCL Industries’ Middle East and Africa Marketing Division, Naimin Yang.

“Powered by TCL’s advanced display technology, this new display system will create new possibilities for our campus facilities and support development for both students and faculty,” said Professor Diagne.

Advanced Display Technology Delivers Best in Brightness and Efficiency

The donated system features a TCL CSOT 75-inch high-brightness Field Sequential Color (FSC) display capable of delivering 4,000-nit brightness at approximately 300W. By eliminating conventional color filters and generating color through the sequential switching of red, green and blue light, FSC technology enhances light utilization with transmittance over 15%.

The technology reflects TCL CSOT’s continued pursuit of improved display performance and energy efficiency, bringing advanced screens into everyday settings through TCL’s broader Screen Universe vision. Installed at UAM, the display will serve as an outdoor information hub, remaining bright and clear even in direct sunlight.

TCLArt and TCLYoung Champion Local Art and the Next Generation of Creators

Beyond technology, TCL also supports local culture in Dakar through its art-focused initiative, TCLArt. TCL participates in the Yeesal urban art initiative, which works with Senegalese artists and communities to create large-scale public murals. The project supports 43 artists, especially creators under 35, whose works draw inspiration from African athletes, cultural diversity, and youth aspirations. These murals will become permanent features of Dakar’s urban landscape, celebrating local creativity while reflecting TCL’s commitment to the next generation of creative talent through TCLYoung.

From Local Presence to Shared Growth: TCL Deepens its Footprint in Africa

Both the donation and Yeesal partnership build on a presence in Africa stretching back more than two decades. TCL first entered the African market in 2004. Today, TCL TVs and home appliances are sold in nearly 50 African countries across the continent, supported by six sales subsidiaries and three regional business units. TCL continues to strengthen its retail presence across the region, including with the opening of the first TCL brand experience store in Africa in Johannesburg, and the establishment of its own retail and distribution channel in Kenya.

Through its established business network and localized operations, TCL continues to build closer connections with African customers and consumers, combining global technological capabilities with a deeper understanding of local markets to better serve people across the region.

About TCL

Founded in 1981, TCL is dedicated to empowering smarter, healthier lifestyles through next-generation experiences.

Today, with 50 R&D centers and 47 manufacturing bases globally, TCL operates in over 160 countries and regions, reinforcing its position as a globally competitive smart technology brand. To further inspire greatness, TCL has become an official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in the Home Audiovisual Equipment and Home Appliances category.

https://www.tcl.com/global/en

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SOURCE TCL Technology Group Corporation

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GAC Wins 8 Awards, Including 4 First Prizes, Showcasing Technological Innovation Strength

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SUZHOU, China, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On October 28, GAC won 8 awards at the 2026 China-SAE Science and Technology Award ceremony in Suzhou, Jiangsu. In the fields of automotive chips, electric drive, vehicle safety, intelligent driving governance and body design, four first prizes were awarded to two GAC-led projects and two GAC-participated projects, and one GAC-led project won second prize.

In chips, GAC’s led project built a full-chain path from vehicle definition to scale application, working with 105 partners to apply nearly 400 chip models and over 1,000 domestic chips. The HYPTEC GT Special Edition, China’s first ICV with 100% domestically designed chips, has been launched.

In electric drive, GAC pioneered mass production of amorphous alloy stators and carbon-fiber high-speed rotors, becoming the world’s only company to mass-produce amorphous alloy automotive motors. Its amorphous ribbon is just 0.025 mm thick. The motor reaches 99.03% peak efficiency, 17.29 kW/kg power density (@1000V)—nearly three times the industry mainstream—and 30,000 rpm maximum speed; system CLTC efficiency reaches 94.184%. For users, energy consumption drops 4%, and range rises 30-50 km with the same battery capacity. It has been applied to HYPTEC, AION and AISTALAND models and promoted to other automakers. The related precision manufacturing technology won the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva.

In safety, the GAC-led project with Tsinghua University won second prize. It developed China’s first ASIL-D fully domestic safety controller, real-time risk quantification, active-suspension side-impact mitigation, a rear-window airbag and an “automaker-traffic police-hospital” integrated rescue model. It has been applied to 20 models with cumulative sales of 1.446 million units.

In addition, GAC’s participated L2-L4 safety governance project helped establish a full-lifecycle system covering pre-admission, in-process supervision and post-event traceability. Its participated BIW project features an AI-based body design system that generates concept schemes within 5 hours, with over 95% stiffness prediction accuracy and over 30% higher design efficiency; it has been applied to the second-generation GAC GS8, GAC ES9 and GAC All-new S7.

Looking ahead, GAC will uphold innovation-driven development, advance core technology breakthroughs and commercialization, and support high-quality development of China’s auto industry.

For further information about GAC, please visit: https://www.gacgroup.com/en or follow us on social.

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SOURCE GAC

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