I found this on the topic and a little on car headlight technology. It has to do with a Blue Laser diode? vs LED.
I would lke to know more.
I don't expect that lasers will replace LEDsfor common flashlights, as LEDs have high efficiency, low cost, andsafety.The article acknowledges that the laserdiodesare not as efficient, but says that the combinedopticalsystem is more efficient; this may be true in some applications or beam shapes,but I don't think it can beat a high quality reflector for total lightoutput.
For dedicated throwers however I expect thatthe laser-stimulated phosphor will be vastly superior because the surfacebrightness should be much higher than any LED, even with a Wavien collar. Iexpect that the K40vn andevenDeft-X will seem quaint in a few years as Maxabeam intensity levels becomepossible from similar sized lights. Phosphor life could be a problem however.