EVs are on track to gain momentum in the coming years. In 2023, a price war intensified the industry's competition. Geopolitics facilitated the localization of production. Multiple factors will continue to weigh in on the sector's rivalry and collaboration in 2024, with China remaining the center of it.
The semiconductor industry went through a year-long correction over the past year. With smartphone and PC inventory correction finally ending, new hopes are emerging on the horizon.
A Reuters report quoted three people familiar with the fact that more and more Chinese IC design houses are having their chips packaged in Malaysia, worrying that the US would increase sanction measures in the future. Industry experts pointed out that several aspects call for attention.
In the 21st century, geopolitical tensions between the United States and China have rekindled memories of the Cold War, particularly in space exploration.
The COP28 climate summit has just wrapped up in Dubai, shedding light on two significant trends. The focus is on renewable energy, and the role of AI and machine learning in ESG and climate solutions is gaining prominence. Specifically in the realm of chipmaking, AI is being leveraged to fast-track research on novel materials, streamline circular economy practices, and enhance the efficient use of energy, water, and waste.
Nvidia made headlines again with CEO Jensen Huang's Asia tour to Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam over the past week. Yet it takes a grander perspective to see the strategy behind Huang's recent efforts in forging ties and securing supply chains.
The latest report by Wccftech pointed out that Huawei's new notebook (NB) PC L540 is equipped with the 5nm Kirin 9006C, an SoC with 8 cores. Chinese media ITHome recently revealed that this 5nm 9006C processor has been adopted by L420 in 2021. Therefore, it is not a new chip manufactured in 2023. It is more likely that Huawei's stockpiled chips were manufactured by TSMC, before the company was banned by the US from accessing American technologies in September 2020.
The model FPA-1200NZ2C from Canon, a nanoscale imprinting machine, has been making headlines recently, although it first appeared in academic journals as early as 2015. The resurgence of an eight-year-old model in the news can be attributed to its imminent entry into broader semiconductor production applications.
South Korean electronic giant Samsung Electronics has made significant progress since its foray into the automotive device market in 2015. Recent launches of various automotive ICs showcased Samsung's effort to diversify business lines from the volatile consumer memory market and to create valid growth opportunities for its semiconductor foundry business. It aims to become the world's leading automotive memory company by 2025, surpassing Micron, the current champion with a 45% global market share.
