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Saturday 24 May 2025
Tariff shifts drive Macroblock's auto chip surge
As geopolitical strains between the United States and China reshape global supply chains, Taiwanese LED driver IC maker Macroblock is seeing tangible benefits in the automotive sector, even as tariff headwinds persist. While exports to the US from its Chinese clients face tariff pressure, Chinese automakers pivoting toward US-linked supply chains are creating new opportunities. This shift has improved order visibility for automotive applications through the end of 2025.
Friday 23 May 2025
XPeng rewrites mobility script with AI chips, robot pilots, and LiDAR-free autonomy
As AI foundation models embed deeper into vehicle system architecture, China's XPeng Motors is shifting from conventional car manufacturing to a full-stack AI mobility platform. Its strategy now revolves around three core pillars: large-scale automotive foundation models, in-house AI chips, and humanoid robots—laying the groundwork for the next decade of intelligent transportation.
Friday 23 May 2025
ACME Electronics holds steady as Wolfspeed's bankruptcy clouds global SiC supply chain

The global silicon carbide (SiC) supply chain is facing renewed turbulence, driven by weakening EV demand, aggressive market entry by Chinese suppliers, and mounting concerns over a potential bankruptcy at Wolfspeed, the top US-based SiC manufacturer. Wen-Hao Wu, Director of Taiwan-based ACME Electronics, which produces manganese-zinc and nickel-zinc soft ferrite cores alongside SiC powders, commented that while Wolfspeed is a client, it is not a Tier 1 customer, and any exposure remains limited.

Friday 23 May 2025
Wolfspeed's stumble opens the door to China's SiC ambitions

In a development that has sent shockwaves through the global semiconductor industry, US-based silicon carbide (SiC) leader Wolfspeed is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy within weeks. While some orders have already begun shifting to alternate suppliers, industry analysts warn that the long-term implications will ripple across the entire supply chain—disrupting the balance of technology leadership, production capacity, and cost structures.

Friday 23 May 2025
Jabil and AVL deal to develop next-gen vehicle electronics

On May 21, Jabil, a global manufacturing solutions provider for the automotive industry, announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AVL Software and Functions GmbH, the e-drive and software arm of AVL List GmbH. The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at streamlining the development of next-generation vehicle electronics.

Friday 23 May 2025
Tariffs may bring new opportunities for smart vehicle development, says TÜV Rheinland
Amid the growing trend toward connected, autonomous, shared, and electrification (CASE) in the automotive industry, vehicles are now much more than simply mechanical products but rather rely on contributions spanning the ICT, software, semiconductor, and optical sectors.
Tuesday 20 May 2025
Foxconn's Young Liu unveils '3+3+3=∞' AI strategy, partners with Nvidia on AI Factory
Computex 2025 commenced with Foxconn chairman Young Liu delivering a landmark keynote address, marking his inaugural appearance as a featured speaker. Liu articulated Foxconn's advancements in artificial intelligence, introducing an ambitious "3+3+3=∞" strategy. This evolution of the existing "3+3" framework integrates three intelligent network platforms—smart manufacturing, smart electric vehicles (EVs), and smart cities—bolstered by a state-of-the-art AI Factory developed in partnership with Nvidia.
Monday 19 May 2025
AI, EV boom thrusts advanced packaging to forefront of China's chip strategy
China's outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) industry is gaining momentum, driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and electric vehicles (EVs). As the country intensifies its technology upgrade initiatives, the back-end supply chain has become a strategic pillar, with major players ramping up both revenue and innovation.
Monday 19 May 2025
Ilitek begins integration of MediaTek's TCON unit, eyes expansion in notebook and industrial markets

Display driver IC design company Ilitek has officially launched the integration of MediaTek's TCON business, a strategic acquisition that is expected to contribute immediately to revenue and gradually transform its product portfolio and market positioning.

Friday 16 May 2025
BYD's independent SiC development powers breakthrough megawatt charging
Leading Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker BYD grabbed market headlines in the first quarter of 2025 with the unveiling of its megawatt-level flash charging technology. Silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors played an instrumental role in this technological advancement, as key advantages of the wide bandgap material, including high voltage and temperature resistance and low energy loss, help enhance the efficiency and reliability of electric drive systems to support high-voltage charging.
Friday 16 May 2025
Tesla's centralized 'vehicle brain' strategy loses traction as rivals embrace domain-zonal architectures
As the global automotive industry rapidly advances toward next-generation electronic and electrical (E/E) architectures, the combined use of domain controllers and zonal controllers is emerging as a practical and strategic approach, especially for automakers targeting market opportunities in 2028 and 2029. This direction has reportedly gained favor among mainstream global brands, including many of China's top-tier carmakers.
Friday 16 May 2025
Tata Elxsi selected by Mercedes-Benz India for software-defined vehicle development
According to a press release, Tata Elxsi announced on May 14, 2025, that it has been chosen by Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) to support vehicle software engineering and the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The collaboration is expected to accelerate innovation and improve software scalability across vehicle models.
Friday 16 May 2025
Xpeng launches new SEPA 3.0 platform with cost-effective hybrid SiC modules
As weaker players increasingly bow out of China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market, newcomers are now shifting their emphasis to smart platforms, the integration of battery, motor, and vehicle control systems, and supply chain resilience. In line with this trend, Xpeng, one of the three leading NEV startups in China alongside NIO and Li Auto, has recently launched its latest SEPA 3.0 platform and introduced a hybrid silicon carbide (SiC) module designed to balance efficiency and cost.
Thursday 15 May 2025
L3 may be late, but automotive revolution rolls on

It's unclear how many still recall the optimism with which 2025 was once hailed—by automakers across Europe, the US, and even China—as the definitive launch year for Level 3 (L3) autonomous vehicles. Yet, as the calendar pages turn, the odds of L3 systems arriving on time—and making a triumphant debut—now seem slim.

Thursday 15 May 2025
Automakers shift to hybrid domain-zonal architecture for next-gen vehicles
Global automotive manufacturers are converging on a hybrid domain-plus-zonal (D+Z) control architecture for next-generation vehicles, representing a significant evolution in electrification and electric (EE) architecture. This emerging standard, likely to appear in production vehicles between 2028-2029, is becoming evident at Computex 2025, where major information and communications technology (ICT) players are showcasing their automotive solutions.
Thursday 15 May 2025
Renesas expands in India with new offices and Meity-backed startup, academic partnerships
According to a press release on May 13, 2025, Renesas Electronics Corporation announced a partnership with India's Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) to support local startups and academic institutions in VLSI and embedded semiconductor systems. The company also opened and expanded offices in Bengaluru and Noida to accommodate its growing R&D teams, with inauguration ceremonies held on the same day.
Wednesday 14 May 2025
From flagship to family car: SiC drives China's EV boom amid intense price wars
Although the 2025 Shanghai International Auto Show has concluded, its ripple effects continue to shape the automotive landscape. Bolstered by the Chinese government's early implementation of trade-in subsidies, alongside a confluence of auto show buzz and promotional campaigns, China's passenger vehicle retail sales soared to 1.81 million units in April 2025, marking the second-highest monthly figure on record.
Wednesday 14 May 2025
As Chinese IDMs climb, Europe's powerhouses lose ground
Driven by new energy vehicle subsidy policies, the localization wave of automotive chips in China is intensifying, accelerating the domestic substitution process. Chinese integrated device manufacturers (IDM) such as Silan and BYD have achieved breakthrough growth in the power semiconductor sector, with their market shares rising significantly. This shift disrupts the long-standing dominance of foreign companies and has drawn the attention of international IDMs.
Tuesday 13 May 2025
US silicon carbide industry faces challenges amid tariff protections and Chinese competition
Silicon carbide (SiC), a critical material for electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, is under strain in the US despite protective trade policies. Initially bolstered by US President Donald Trump's first-term restrictions on SiC exports for military use and continued under former President Joe Biden's Section 301 tariffs, the US SiC industry now faces heightened scrutiny as Trump's second term promises further protections. However, industry insiders warn that domestic SiC manufacturers may not withstand market pressures long enough to benefit.
Monday 12 May 2025
Infineon secures funding for Dresden smart power fab expansion
According to an official press release, Infineon has received final approval from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs to fund its new Smart Power Fab in Dresden. The company will invest EUR5 billion (approx. US$5.6 billion) to expand the site, aiming to meet demand in sectors such as renewable energy, data centers, and electromobility.
Friday 9 May 2025
Japan's Denso, Rohm forge chip alliance targeting EVs and autonomous driving
On May 8, Japanese automotive parts supplier Denso and chipmaker Rohm Semiconductor announced a strategic partnership aimed at deepening collaboration in semiconductor development and production. Citing reports from Nikkei and Car Watch, the companies said the alliance will span joint chip development, integrated manufacturing, and coordinated raw material procurement, with implementation details to be finalized later.
Friday 9 May 2025
Ford streamlines EV and software plans, refutes claims of investment cuts

In a dramatic move reflecting the mounting challenges of the electric vehicle transition, Ford Motor Company has halted development of its FNV4 electrical and software architecture, citing ballooning losses and growing concerns over potential tariff impacts under a possible second Trump administration.

Friday 9 May 2025
Infineon flags EUR400m revenue hit from tariffs, trims margin outlook
Infineon Technologies AG announced its second quarter 2025 financial results on May 8. During the second quarter 2025 earnings call, CFO Sven Schneider addressed concerns about the revised segment result margin guidance, which shifted from a mid- to high-teen range to a mid-teen projection for the full fiscal year.
Friday 9 May 2025
Infineon lowers full-year guidance amid currency headwinds and tariff uncertainties in fiscal 2025
On May 8, Infineon Technologies announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, reporting revenue of EUR3.59 billion (approx. US$4.03 billion), a 1.1% decline year-over-year. Automotive revenue contributed EUR1.86 billion to the total. Total segment profit was EUR601 million, down 15% year-over-year, with a segment result margin of 16.7%, compared to 19.5% in the prior year. The automotive segment achieved a result margin of 20.7%.
Thursday 8 May 2025
Tariffs rock auto sector, but Nuvoton sees swift recovery amid demand surge
The global automotive industry faced significant disruption in the first quarter of 2025, impacted by US tariffs that reverberated throughout supply chains. Despite this turbulence, microcontroller unit (MCU) manufacturer Nuvoton Technology reported early signs of stabilization. Several clients have begun restocking inventories, suggesting a gradual recovery in the sector. Beyond automotive applications, Nuvoton capitalized on tariff-driven demand increases in computing and consumer applications, with clients accelerating orders. This strategic shift helped the chipmaker return to profitability, marking a notable comeback.
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