HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA (“FORVIA HELLA”) today published the sales data for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. On a currency-adjusted basis, sales remained at the prior-year level at €2.0 billion, while global light vehicle production was down 3.4 percent over the same period according to S&P Mobility latest estimates. Taking negative exchange rate effects into consideration, sales decreased by 2.9 percent to €1.9 billion (prior year: €2.0 billion).

“We had a solid start to the new year overall. This is primarily due to the successful performance of our Electronics business. For the first time in the company’s history, this is now our largest Business Group. In addition, following the trend seen in the second half of the previous year, Lifecycle Solutions has also grown again,” says Prof. Dr. Peter Laier, Chief Executive Officer of FORVIA HELLA. “At the same time, we see that the Lighting business is currently not realizing its full potential. We have therefore already implemented key measures to return the Business Group to growth. This includes further developing the lighting portfolio, expanding the customer base, and aligning the business even more consistently toward the volume segment.”

Growth in Electronics and Lifecycle Solutions supports Group-wide sales; sales of the Lighting Business Group decline
Sales in the Business Group Electronics increased by 2.7 percent (organic1: 6.8 percent) to €889 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (prior year: €865 million). This was driven in particular by growth in 77 GHz radar sensors and energy management components, such as low-voltage DC/DC converters and intelligent battery sensors. The growth was supported by ramp-ups in existing series production as well as by new series launches, particularly in the European market. In addition, in the Asian region business especially for radar sensors and low-voltage battery management systems developed positively.

In the Business Group Lighting, sales decreased by 10.8 percent (organic1: -7.7 percent) to €843 million (prior year: €946 million). The Lighting business was able to increase its sales in the Asian region compared with the same quarter last year, among other things through new program launches in China. However, in the European and American regions the performance of the division was negatively impacted by the weak industry environment. In addition, the phasing out of various series projects in these markets were not compensated by individual new launches, for example for electrified platforms in Europe.

In the Business Group Lifecycle Solutions, sales increased by 3.3 percent (organic1: 5.6 percent) to €262 million (prior year: €254 million), continuing the positive development that began in the second half of the previous fiscal year. This was primarily driven by a strong special original equipment business, especially in the customer segments trucks, and buses, agriculture and construction machinery. The workshop equipment business benefited from higher demand for entry-level diagnostic solutions and the introduction of new products in the calibration area. The spare parts business performed positively, supported by a generally higher demand and by the expansion of the product range following the re-entry into the thermal management business.

TrendForce 2025 Global Automotive LED Market- Lighting and Display Product Trend
Release Date:
1. PDF (196 Pages)- 30 June 2025
2. EXCEL- 30 June 2025 and 31 December 2025
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