Leading IDMs such as Texas Instruments (TI), NXP Semiconductors, and STMicroelectronics (STM) have reported recent quarterly results indicating a rebound in automotive semiconductor demand and inventory restocking. This trend offers a cautiously optimistic outlook for the global automotive sector despite persistent challenges, including tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and regional economic disparities.
Foxconn Technology Group Chairman Young Liu called for closer collaboration between Taiwan and Japan in electric vehicle development, saying the two sides can combine their strengths to gain an edge in the global EV race.
Dutch chipmaker Nexperia is warning clients that shipments from its Chinese factory are halted indefinitely. The company also says it cannot guarantee the quality of products from the plant, according to a letter obtained by Reuters. The alert comes amid a growing dispute between the Netherlands and China over control of the factory. Beijing has accused The Hague of blocking efforts to solve the problem.
Taiwan recorded 34,511 new car registrations in October, marking a 7.1% month-over-month and 3.9% year-over-year increase. Although still below earlier market expectations, this was the first month since April 2025 to see both monthly and yearly growth, signaling a rebound in demand as the year-end peak season approaches.
The dominance of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the 19th and 20th centuries is now being challenged by environmentally friendly cars in the 21st century. Automotive parts suppliers, in turn, are being forced to adjust their strategies, gradually reducing their reliance on components for traditional fuel-powered vehicles. Some manufacturers are pivoting toward software and cloud platforms, expanding their definition of "parts" to include software. One such company is Japan's auto parts giant Astemo.
A semiconductor crisis that began in the Netherlands and is being fueled by US-China tensions has swept through the global auto industry at astonishing speed.
With the electric vehicle market approaching maturity and growth momentum slowing, automakers are turning to artificial intelligence and robotics as the "second curve" of manufacturing transformation.
Samsung SDI is collaborating with BMW and US-based solid-state battery firm Solid Power for a joint solid-state battery validation project. Following SK On, Samsung SDI will thus become the second of South Korea's top three battery makers to partner with Solid Power, as Korean firms accelerate efforts toward commercializing solid-state batteries.
Major Japanese automakers and suppliers have reported limited disruptions from the recent halt in semiconductor exports by Nexperia, a key chipmaker, as industry players emphasize sufficient inventory and alternative sourcing strategies to maintain stable production.
The aftershocks of Nexperia's abrupt suspension of power semiconductor shipments continue to reverberate across the global electronics industry, forcing yet another wave of supply chain realignments. Industry insiders say the episode underscores how a US$5 chip can cripple a US$50,000 car, revealing the vulnerability of even the most complex manufacturing systems to disruptions in basic components.
After hosting GTC DC to discuss quantum computing, 6G, and autonomous driving, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang flew to South Korea to attend the APEC CEO Summit and meet with leading Korean tech companies. However, Huang has unexpectedly found himself in the political spotlight after US President Donald Trump namedropped him on Truth Social.
More coverage
