General Motors (GM) has ended its nearly decade-long, US$10 billion Cruise robotaxi project, a decision that has severely impacted Honda's plans for autonomous driving technology, according to reports from The New York Times and BBC
Huawei is preparing to launch its Mate 70 series amid industry skepticism over its ability to compete with mainstream rivals, despite trumpeting an all-Chinese semiconductor supply chain
At SEMICON Japan 2024, JASM president Yuichi Horita announced that TSMC's first wafer fab in Kumamoto, Japan, is on track to begin mass production within 2024, reports Nikkei. The facility, advancing as scheduled, will initially supply logic ICs to Sony and Denso. Horita highlighted that production lines at Kumamoto have been configured to meet TSMC's high-quality standards established in Taiwan
ET News highlighted challenges in South Korea's semiconductor materials industry, as sluggish markets and declining demand hit companies like LPN, Technium, and SK Enpulse. These issues have resulted in operational struggles, foreign takeovers, and market exits, endangering the semiconductor supply chain and calling for government support in research, development, and industry policies
Samsung Electronics plans to introduce samples of its next-generation LPDDR6 memory by late 2025, addressing the growing demand for on-device AI solutions. The initiative aims to enhance Samsung's technological edge and shift toward high-value-added memory products, countering declining general-purpose DRAM prices
The Biden Administration is expected to unveil new regulations by the end of the year, targeting China's acquisition of advanced AI chips through third-party nations. These measures aim to close loopholes and strengthen US control over sensitive technology exports
CATL and Stellantis have entered a joint venture to establish a EUR4.038 billion (approx. US$4.25 billion) battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain, with each party holding a 50% stake. As reported by Yicai, this will be CATL's third large-scale production facility in Europe, further expanding its global footprint
Jiyue Auto, the automotive startup co-founded by Baidu and Geely, is on the brink of collapse. CEO Joe Xia, in a letter to employees dated December 11, admitted the company faces severe challenges and requires urgent restructuring. Reports indicate that salary benefits for some employees have been suspended, fueling fears of widespread layoffs
Samsung Display (SDC) recently announced its routine personnel changes, naming Vice President Joohyung Lee as the new head of its most profitable division, the small- and medium-sized display sector. Chung Yi, the previous head of this unit, has been promoted to president and will now serve as SDC's president, as highlighted by The Korea Herald
The European Union's newly imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are sending a ripple of concern through the global auto industry. In response, BYD, the top EV manufacturer in China, has announced plans to manufacture its Dolphin and Atto 3 models in Europe by 2025, a move aligned with its global expansion strategy
Samsung Electronics has reportedly initiated a large-scale personnel reshuffle, reallocating engineers to its next-generation semiconductor hub in Pyeongtaek. However, the company denied these claims, stating they are unfounded
Chinese SiC substrate vendors are seeking to expand beyond their home market where prices have collapsed amid severe oversupply, according to industry sources
China's domestic electric vehicle (EV) sales have maintained a penetration rate of over 50% for four consecutive months, reflecting strong growth in the domestic market, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on December 11. However, exports of pure EV have shown worrying signs, with only 58,000 units shipped in November—a month-on-month decrease of 43.8% and a year-over-year decline of approximately 29.2%. The drop is believed to be linked to the European Union's recently imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese EVs
China's market regulator launched an antitrust probe into Nvidia, marking Beijing's first major investigation of a US chipmaker in a decade and escalating tensions in the global semiconductor battle
On December 11, 2024, the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced modifications to tariff actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act, targeting specific Chinese products. These measures aim to address long-standing issues related to China's technology transfer, intellectual property practices, and innovation policies. The updated tariffs, which will take effect on January 1, 2025, include new rates on tungsten products, polysilicon, and wafers
