Panasonic Group reported a record-high net income for the fiscal year ending in March 2024. Its battery business received significant tax credits from the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Japan's semiconductor foundry startup Rapidus, now on a mission to mass produce 2nm chips by 2027, is developing advanced packaging and chiplet technologies, with a particular focus on interposer technology crucial for connecting chips with substrates. However, Rapidus is also tackling the challenge of improving production yield to win more advanced-packaging customers.
According to SMIC's financial results, it reported rising sales in the first quarter but saw worsening profits due to intensifying competition in China, particularly in commoditized products like DDI and CIS. SMIC reiterated its commitment to build fabs, with depreciation pressures expected to mount further.
The US-China trade relationship will likely exacerbate as the US might take "extreme action" on Chinese-made connected cars. The Biden administration is also considering new tariffs on several sectors China dominates, including EVs.
Lam Research announced a plan to include India-based suppliers in the global semiconductor equipment ecosystem, the second move by the company in less than a month to develop a chipmaking ecosystem in India.
Magna International's Austrian plant is experiencing a double hit resulting from the sluggish EV demand. An EV startup customer has filed for bankruptcy, and orders from legacy automakers lack a driving force.
India saw an 8% increase year-on-year in smartphone shipments in the first quarter, fueled by healthy inventory levels and a push toward premium models. Vivo took the lead with an 18% surge in shipments, becoming the top player in India.
Chinese tech conglomerate Huawei has dismissed rumors that it is increasing efforts in PC chip R&D, to launch the Kirin X series PC processor line in 2024.
To take advantage of the rebound in the global monitor market in 2024, companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are targeting high-performance, gaming, and AI demands by launching new monitor products to accelerate their market penetration.
According to Tata Elxsi's press release, the company announced a collaboration with Arm to offer advanced solutions on the latest Arm-based chips, which will help Automotive OEMs and tier-1s fast-track their transition to Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs)
As a subsidiary of SK Hynix, SK Hynix System IC is reportedly in the process of selling its equity in Wuxi, China. It is anticipated that in the future, SK Hynix System IC Wuxi will still retain a 50.1% equity stake, while Wuxi Industry Development Group (WIDG) will hold 49.9%. Operational control will remain in the hands of South Korean entities.
Intel confirms that one of its customers' export license was revoked and would impact its second-quarter sales in 2024 to fall to the lower range between its US$12.5-13.5 billion projection for the quarter, according to a document submitted to the US Security Exchange Commission.
Samsung Electronics reportedly plans to dedicate separate development teams for next-generation High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) products, HBM3E and HBM4, to strengthen its competitiveness in the HBM market. Whether this strategic initiative will allow Samsung to outpace competitor SK Hynix in mass production is drawing industry attention.
Toyota Motor reported hefty profit growth for the past fiscal year ending March 2024, thanks to booming hybrid EV sales and a weaker Japanese Yen. The automaker said it plans to invest JPY2 trillion (US$13.79 billion) in its suppliers, growing the EV lineup and developing Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV).
Asia Optical, one of Taiwan's leading optical device suppliers, has achieved several breakthroughs in recent months, as stated by chairman Lai Yi-Jen during the company's earnings call on May 8. The company will pursue a three-pronged strategy as it expands its business: a strategic alliance with LG Innotek (LGIT), one of South Korea's leading lens module manufacturers; expansion of its facilities in the Philippines; and investment in cutting-edge Metalens technology.