Team-BHP - Hyundai set to use internally-developed chip for upcoming car!

With the semiconductor shortage having badly affected production, seems auto companies are investing in R&D and production of chips themselves to tide over the difficulties in meeting demand. At a time when market sentiment is on an upswing and demand has recovered after a stagnating phase, the semiconductor shortage is proving to be quite a bane for auto companies.

As per a report on Reuters, South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. plans to use an auto chip it has developed itself for one of its upcoming vehicles next year, the Seoul Economy Daily reported on Friday.

Hyundai Motors, which together with affiliate Kia Corp is among the world's top 10 biggest automakers by sales, plans to internally develop a silicon carbide technology based power chip, the newspaper said, citing an unnamed industry source.

A shortage of chips made by semiconductor companies, fuelled by pandemic interruptions and production issues at chip factories, have forced automakers halt production and reduce work shifts amid concerns that shortages could continue.

Hyundai's research centre and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis Co Ltd led the chip design process and cooperated with multiple companies, including system chip manufacturer Magnachip Semiconductor Corp (MX.N)

The Seoul Economy Daily said the new vehicle model adopting the chip could be the Ioniq 6, Hyundai's dedicated electric car expected to be launched next year. Hyundai told the newspaper that the chip production date has not been decided.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aut...rt-2021-09-03/

I don't think Hyundai can pull this off on its own. Semiconductor R&D is super expensive and the manufacturing so complex and again, expensive. Hyundai has partnered with Samsung for this although it'd be a while before we see the outcome of this partnership.

http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/...ml?idxno=67155