Following BYD's debut of its "God's Eye" intelligent driving system, the already limited supply of 8-megapixel (8M) automotive CMOS image sensors (CIS) has quickly become a shortage, according to industry sources in China.

HiSilicon is keen to grow its chip business beyond mobile phones and computing to the automotive industry, according to industry sources in China. During a recent summit for private entrepreneurs organized by the Chinese government, Huawei founder Zhengfei Ren's remarks about launching "Backup Plan 2.0" have drawn renewed attention.

According to Infineon's press release, the company is advancing its 8-inch silicon carbide (SiC) technology, having released its first products in the first quarter of 2025. These products, produced in Villach, Austria, will offer premium SiC power solutions for high-voltage applications such as renewable energy systems, trains, and electric vehicles.

Leading silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturers, including STMicroelectronics, Onsemi, Infineon Technologies, and Wolfspeed, posted dismal financial results, fueling concerns that the SiC boom may be waning. The downturn is largely tied to turbulence in the EV and solar inverter sectors, particularly in China, where intensifying price wars are forcing cost cuts across the supply chain.

With smart reading lights and starlight roof features gradually expanding from high-end to mainstream vehicle models, Shining Victory Motor Electronic (Shining Victory) remains optimistic about sustained market growth in 2025. The company aims for high double-digit revenue growth while also targeting double-digit profit increases.

Europe's industrial control and automotive sectors remain sluggish, with weak demand and excess inventory likely delaying recovery until the second quarter of 2025, according to IDMs and IC distributors. Recovery remains uncertain, with global macroeconomic conditions and potential trade policies under Donald Trump adding further volatility.

The proposed merger between Honda and Nissan has reached an impasse, while Renault is preparing to reduce its 36% ownership in Nissan. This development has sparked speculation about potential new investors, notably Apple and Foxconn.

In its latest earnings call, China's leading pure-play foundry, SMIC, acknowledged an increase in domestic competition, resulting in a growing supply even as demand begins to recover. The company is aiming to capture a larger share of revenue from the automotive sector, driven by the heightened competitiveness among Chinese automakers.

Onsemi reported fourth-quarter revenue declined 15% year over year to US$1.72 billion, missing expectations. With lower margins and a weak first-quarter forecast, analysts express concerns about the automotive sector, pointing to a disappointing outlook and elevated inventories.

According to reports from Asahi Shimbun and Reuters, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida visited Honda's headquarters on the morning of February 6 and informed President Toshihiro Mibe of his decision to cancel the integration talks. Honda had proposed acquiring Nissan as a subsidiary, but as this proposal was not included in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in December 2024, Nissan concluded that the discussions under this plan could not move forward.

As new US tariffs take effect and trigger retaliatory measures, automotive component suppliers face mounting challenges that could threaten their very survival.

In a semiconductor industry that's been struggling with an oversupply of chips and weak demand, Infineon Technologies AG navigated its way through the turbulence and offered some hope for the future. At least for now.

China's automotive chip industry is gaining momentum in 2025, driven by both external pressures and internal opportunities. In response to US restrictions, Chinese automakers are intensifying their self-developed chip production efforts, demonstrating a strategic shift toward technological independence.

NXP Semiconductors reported a 9% revenue decline in the fourth quarter of 2024 to US$3.11 billion amid pricing pressures and increased competition. With conservative guidance for the first quarter of 2025, industry analysts note that while automotive demand remains stable, weakness in other sectors highlights broader economic challenges, particularly in Europe.

Texas Instruments (TI)'s latest financial results for the fourth quarter show a nuanced performance, with overall revenue slightly declining yet exceeding market forecasts, indicating the weak automotive and industrial markets.

As Donald Trump takes office with his "America First" agenda, South Korea's electronics and automotive industries are closely monitoring potential shifts in global trade policies. A major concern is the proposed 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, which could pose significant challenges for South Korean companies with manufacturing operations in Mexico.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Infineon Technologies have launched a vendor development program to enhance Malaysia's semiconductor industry.

Amid cooling electric vehicle demand throughout 2024, European and American automakers are revising their strategies for 2025, moving away from an all-EV approach toward flexible multi-powertrain platforms that better address regional market needs.

The global electric vehicle industry faces an immediate reset as Donald Trump returns to the White House. Markets are already reacting to his promised dismantling of key industry policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), while automotive supply chains worldwide prepare for a stark departure from the previous administration's electric vehicle agenda.

Taiwan-based electronics distributor WT Microelectronics has steadily expanded its global distribution network following the completion of its acquisition of Future Electronics. The company is optimistic about a recovery in automotive and industrial applications in the first half of 2025, which, along with its sustained momentum in artificial intelligence (AI) product lines, is expected to contribute significantly to profit growth.

The automotive industry was once considered to be a key driver for Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain, prompting its makers to get in line with the global trend of regionalized production. But the automotive industry has been mired in turmoil in the past few quarters, with no improvements to be seen anytime soon. Automotive chips are expected to remain on the sidelines in the foreseeable future.

ASMedia's board of directors approved on January 15 the acquisition of Techpoint, a US-based company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, for US$390 million. The move marks ASMedia's strategic entry into the automotive sector, according to ASMedia president Chewei Lin.

With CES 2025 just concluded, DIGITIMES hosted the "2025 CES Insights: Analyzing New Trends in AI Applications" forum on January 14, providing exclusive updates and insights from the show.

Infineon Technologies has broken ground on a new semiconductor backend production facility in Samut Prakan, south of Bangkok, strengthening its manufacturing presence.

The Biden administration is rolling out measures to bolster US automotive manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) development, as it looks to sharpen curbs on Chinese technology and tee up potential restrictions for Donald Trump, to enact.