Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, a Japan-based supplier of automotive wiring harnesses and related components, plans to expand its operations in Simpson County, Kentucky, with an investment of $17 million, Area Development reported July 10. The capacity expansion is expected to create 76 full-time jobs. The planned investment will involve new injection-molding machines and automated assembly equipment to produce electrical connectors for automotive customers. John Saylors, division manager o...

Chief executives from LG Group's key units, including LG Electronics, will hold closed-door meetings with global carmakers to expand in the software industry. LG Innotek, a major South Korean electronics parts developer, has entered the automotive application processor market, which is expected to grow at 22% annually over the next five years. LG Electronics, a leading global home appliance maker, announced plans to invest more than 1 trillion South Korean won ($762 million) in its ven...

Phlux Technology, a UK startup specializing in infrared sensor technology, has raised £9 million in a Series A funding round led by BGF, with participation from existing investors including Octopus Ventures, Northern Gritstone and Foresight. This funding will facilitate Phlux's expansion into the optical communications and sensing industries, utilizing its unique antimonide-based semiconductor technology to create faster and more energy-efficient systems. The investment will support the scaling...

According to a press release July 1, Q5D, a robotic cell manufacturer that automates product electrification, is expanding its technical assessment center in Bristol, UK, doubling its resources. This center is crucial for conducting feasibility studies and prototyping by embedding wiring directly into product structures, eliminating the need for separate wire harnesses. The patented process, utilizing a 5-axis manufacturing robot, is particularly sought after in the automotive and aerospace i...

According to a press release on June 23, Continental's Automotive group has formed a new organization named Advanced Electronics & Semiconductor Solutions (AESS) to design and verify automotive semiconductors to meet internal demand. GlobalFoundries (GF) has been appointed as the manufacturing partner for AESS.  The initiative aligns with the Automotive board's strategy to invest in technology and increase autonomy. It aims to establish a resilient supply chain, improve product quali...

As reported in a press release on June 18, Zoox has launched the first serial production facility for purpose-built robo-taxis in the US, aimed at supporting the company's planned expansion in robo-taxi services across various markets, starting with Las Vegas and San Francisco, and later including Austin and Miami. This new facility, located in Hayward, California, spans 220,000 square feet and is Zoox's second vehicle production site in the Bay Area, while the first, in Fremont, California, foc...

The US Senate's draft tax bill proposes increasing the investment credit for semiconductor manufacturers from 25% to 30%, according to a Bloomberg report on June 17. This incentive aims to encourage chipmakers to begin new projects in the US before the 2026 deadline, allowing them to continue claiming credits for ongoing construction beyond that date. The tax credit, part of the 2022 Chips and Science Act, is designed to revitalize the US semiconductor industry by offsetting the shift of prod...

US carmaker General Motors (GM) announced that it plans to invest $4 billion over the next two years to boost its domestic production of gasoline-powered and electric vehicles. This investment aims to increase the company's annual domestic vehicle assembly to over 2 million units. GM's announcement follows an earlier plan to invest $888 million in the Tonawanda propulsion plant near Buffalo, New York, to support the development of its next-generation V-8 engine. The new investments will impac...

Cyclic Materials, an advanced recycling company, has announced a $25 million investment to establish North America's first Centre of Excellence for rare earth recycling in Kingston, Ontario. This facility, which covers over 140,000 square feet and will create 45 skilled jobs, will serve as the company's industrial and innovation hub, integrating commercial processing with research and development to tackle the challenge of sourcing rare earth elements for permanent magnets. The Kingston facil...

In a press release on June 4, GlobalFoundries (GF) announced a strategic plan to invest $16 billion to enhance its semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging capabilities in New York, US, and Vermont, US. This investment is designed to address the rising demand for semiconductors due to the growing prevalence of AI, which requires chips that are both power-efficient and capable of high-bandwidth performance. The initiative is supported by collaboration with the Trump administration an...

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) announced plans to establish a new facility in Munich, which will focus on optimizing chip designs for automotive and other industries, newelectronics reported May 28. The facility aims to cultivate and expand expertise in automotive and nonvolatile memory across the EU, particularly in the areas of resistive random-access memory (RRAM) and magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) innovations, and will support the industry in advancing be...

In a press release on May 19, Hon Hai Technology Group, also known as Foxconn, announced a strategic partnership with Thales Group from France in the area of semiconductors. This partnership aims to enhance Foxconn's industrial expertise and expand its presence in Europe. As part of this collaboration, Foxconn signed the first of two memoranda of understanding (MOUs), which could potentially attract more European industrial investors, leading to investments exceeding €250 million. This initiat...

In a press release on May 14, Aeva announced a strategic collaboration with the technology-focused affiliate of a Global Fortune 500 company. The partnership aims to integrate Aeva's next-generation 4D Lidar technology into various markets. Additionally, this global technology solution provider will serve as Aeva's tier 2 manufacturing partner for the previously announced top 10 passenger original equipment manufacturer program. As part of their agreement, the global technology leader will in...

Porsche has announced plans to establish a research and development center in Shanghai's Jiading district, which will become operational in the second half of 2025, Yicai Global reported April 28. This China R&D Center will concentrate on developing integrated hardware, infotainment and driver assistance systems specifically for the Chinese market. The facility will feature more than 10,000 square meters of office space, specialized workshops and human-machine interface (HMI) laboratories...

South Korea announced an increase in its support package for the country's critical semiconductor industry, raising the amount to 33 trillion won (about $23.25 billion), which marks a significant increase from the previously unveiled package of 26 trillion won, according to a report published by Reuters on April 15. This decision comes in the wake of growing policy uncertainty under the current US administration and increasing competition from mainland Chinese rivals. To address these chall...

At the Hannover Trade Fair 2025, Imec, a research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, announced a collaboration with the state government of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, to launch the Advanced Chip Design Accelerator (ACDA) in Baden-Württemberg. This new competence center aims to enhance Imec's Automotive Chiplet Program by developing chiplets, packaging, system integration, sensing and AI technology, thereby supporting the automotive industry in the introductio...

Magna International has commenced operations at its new manufacturing plant in Stip, North Macedonia, See News reported April 2. The Canadian supplier invested €40 million in the new factory, which will produce mechatronic components for the automotive market. This 18,000-square-meter factory will employ more than 600 people at peak capacity. Magna already operates a plant near Struga in North Macedonia, which employs 300 people. The factory specializes in the production of exterior mirror ...

As reported in a press release on March 5, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corp. celebrated the completion of a new back-end production facility focused on automotive power semiconductors at Himeji Operations — Semiconductor, located in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan. This development will significantly enhance the facility's production capacity for automotive power semiconductors, more than doubling the numbers seen in fiscal year 2022, with the commencement of full-scale product...

The Taiwanese government has assured that its most advanced semiconductor technology will remain within Taiwan, despite a substantial $100 billion deal between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and the Trump administration to expand TSMC's investments in the US, according to a report published by The Guardian on March 4. The deal, announced by US President Donald Trump and TSMC CEO CC Wei, aims to enhance US manufacturing capabilities and secure trade dominance. Trump said that TS...

In a press release on March 4, TSMC announced its plan to significantly boost its investment in the US, aiming to increase the sum to $165 billion, to advance semiconductor manufacturing crucial for the future of AI. This announcement, made from its headquarters in Hsinchu, Taiwan, comes with a commitment to add $100 billion to the ongoing $65 billion investment in its semiconductor operations, primarily located in Phoenix. This planned investment marks the largest single foreign direct inves...

As reported in a press release on Feb. 26, SkyWater Technology and Infineon Technologies AG have announced a strategic agreement involving the purchase of Infineon's 200-mm fab in Austin, Texas, known as Fab 25, by SkyWater. The deal also includes a long-term supply agreement, exemplifying a significant move to strengthen US-based production of essential chips for industrial, automotive and defense applications. SkyWater will manage Fab 25 as a foundry, increasing the US' capacity for fo...

The European Commission has greenlit funding under the European Chips Act for Infineon Technologies AG's Smart Power Fab located in Dresden, Munich, with an official approval from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) anticipated in the coming months, according to a press release on Feb. 20. This initiative, which is also backed by the European Commission's Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI ME ...

As reported in a press release on Feb. 18, Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), a leading player in gallium nitride (GaN) power devices, has successfully closed a $32 million Series C funding round. The investment was led by a strategic investor with participation from British Patient Capital and supported by existing investors Parkwalk, BGF, Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), Foresight Group and IQ Capital. GaN-based devices represent a breakthrough in power electronics, offering faster switching s...

As reported in a press release on Jan. 16, NXP Semiconductors has announced a significant boost to its research, development and innovation (RDI) efforts through a €1 billion loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This loan, carrying an interest rate of approximately 4.75% and a duration of six years, is designated to support NXP's RDI investments across Europe, specifically in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Romania until 2026. Aimed at advancing semiconductor solution...

As reported in a press release on Dec. 4, VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (VSMC), a collaboration between Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp. (VIS) and NXP Semiconductors NV (NXP), initiated the construction of a new 300-mm wafer manufacturing facility in Tampines, Singapore. The ceremony was attended by numerous stakeholders, including government officials and Dr. Tan See Leng, the minister for Manpower and second minister for Trade and Industry. The facility, VSMC's first...

As reported in a press release on Dec. 4, GlobalFoundries (GF) has announced receiving an additional $9.5 million in funding from the US government to support the advancement of manufacturing gallium nitride (GaN) on silicon semiconductors at its Essex Junction, Vermont, facility. The investment brings GF closer to initiating the large-scale production of GaN chips, which are crucial for a wide array of applications such as automobiles, datacenters, internet of things, aerospace and defe...

According to a press release on Nov. 26, the US Commerce Department has allocated up to $7.86 billion in direct funding to Intel Corp. under the US CHIPS and Science Act, supporting Intel's semiconductor manufacturing projects across Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio and Oregon. This funding complements a $3 billion contract for Intel's Secure Enclave program, aimed at enhancing the production of leading-edge semiconductors for the US government. In total, aligned with a 25% investment tax credit fro...

Kostal Macedonia, the North Macedonia arm of the German car parts manufacturer Kostal, has embarked on a significant four-year investment initiative, valued at €50 million. This financial endeavor, as unveiled by Viktor Mizo, the managing director of Kostal Macedonia, is designed to foster job creation and enhance the company's manufacturing capabilities. Mizo announced that this new cycle of investment would enable Kostal Macedonia to start producing systems for plug-in hybrid and electric...

Wolfspeed, a US-based chipmaker, has decided to cancel its project to construct a semiconductor factory in Ensdorf, Germany, attributed to the slower-than-anticipated adoption of electric vehicles, according to a report published by Reuters on Oct. 24. Initially, in June, Wolfspeed had postponed the building of this $3 billion facility, which was intended to manufacture computer chips for electric cars. This delay was seen as a sign of the EU's challenges in boosting semiconductor produc...

Bosch has recently expanded its operations in Aguascalientes, Mexico, with the opening of new production lines at its plant following an investment of $221.2 million, according to a report published by Mexico Now on Oct. 16. The expansion is expected to create 400 jobs by 2027 and aims to strengthen Bosch's position in the global automotive market by integrating advanced technology and improving processes. The focus of this project, situated in the Aguascalientes Valley Industrial Park, is on...

According to a press release on Oct. 15, the US Commerce Department, along with Wolfspeed, has announced a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) for up to $750 million in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. This is complemented by an additional $750 million in new financing from a consortium led by Apollo, The Baupost Group, Fidelity Management & Research Company, and Capital Group. The financial commitments are aimed at supporting Wolfspeed's growth and the domest...

Li Auto is setting up a chip research and development office in Hong Kong, with plans to hire AI chip architects, Pandaily reported Oct. 9, quoting media outlet LatePost. The new office is envisioned as an international technology exchange center and falls under the Li Auto Chip Preliminary Research Department, aiming to recruit a team of about 10 people. These positions are considered equivalent to technical experts or senior experts at major domestic internet firms, indicating the high leve...

Marquardt has announced the opening of a new production facility in El Fejja, Tunisia, the Germany-based mechatronics specialist said in a press release on Sept. 26. This facility represents a significant advancement in Marquardt's expansion in North Africa, focusing on the manufacturing of innovative control panels for premium vehicle interiors. The company has invested over €50 million in the new building, machinery and equipment at the plant. With this expansion, Marquardt aims to generate ...

The White House has selected Monroe Capital to launch a dedicated fund to help automotive suppliers in the US. The Drive Forward Fund will aim to raise up to $1 billion to invest in small and medium-sized companies that play a pivotal role in fueling growth and innovation in the US automotive industry. The Drive Forward Fund will target suppliers and manufacturers including those offering software as a service (SaaS) and other technological solutions catered to the automotive sector. Beyond i...

Uno Minda has announced plans to invest over 6 billion rupees (about $71.8 million) toward various capacity expansion projects in India and Indonesia, Autocar Professional reported Sept. 19. In Indonesia, Uno Minda’s wholly owned subsidiary, PT Minda Asean Automotive (PTMA), has received additional orders for long tail lamps from original equipment manufacturers. To serve these orders, Uno Minda will invest 2.1 billion rupees to establish a new manufacturing facility, which is expected to beco...

The Indian state Uttar Pradesh government has introduced the Uttar Pradesh Semiconductor Policy 2024, unveiling a strategy to attract investment in the semiconductor manufacturing industry by offering a range of incentives, as reported by The Hindustan Times on Sept. 12. These incentives include assistance on capital investment, interest subsidies, rebates on land value, stamp duty and electricity charges, aiming to establish Uttar Pradesh as a hub for semiconductor design engineering an...

Denso announced on Sept. 9 its plan to construct a new plant at the site of the existing Zenmyo Plant in Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. With construction kicking off in the first half of fiscal year 2025 and completion expected by January 2027, the company aims to start production in the first half of fiscal year 2028. The projected investment for this expansion is approximately ¥69 billion (about $0.48 billion).  The company is focusing on three main challenges to...

Valeo, a prominent global tier 1 supplier specializing in mobility technology, has recently inaugurated a new production facility in Pune, India, marking a significant expansion of its operations in the country. This new facility, covering over 7,000 square meters, is dedicated to power electronics products and aims to bolster Valeo's capabilities in the electrification sector in India. This development follows Valeo's recent contract with Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Nov. 13, 2023, t...

According to a press release Sep. 4, Kyocera has initiated the construction of a new production facility at the Minami Isahaya Industrial Park in Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture, with a groundbreaking ceremony that took place Aug. 28. The development is part of Kyocera's strategy to reinvest in its manufacturing capabilities both domestically and internationally. The decision follows the acquisition of approximately 150,000 square meters (37 acres) of land within the industrial park, finali...

According to a press release Sep. 4, Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corp. (AKM), a subsidiary of the Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei, has announced the opening of the "AKM Co-creation & Technology Center" in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan in June. This new technology development base is set to centralize AKM's principal activities, including product design, research and development for semiconductors and sensors, and partner relations, which were previously spread across Toky...

STMicroelectronics has invested in Germany-based Quintauris, becoming its sixth shareholder after Robert Bosch, Infineon Technologies, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductor and Qualcomm Technologies, the company said in a press release on Aug. 29. Established in December 2023, Quintauris is working to advance the adoption of products based on RISC-V principles. This includes access to reference architectures and assistance in the creation of cross-industry solutions. The solutions are initi...

Autoneum has inaugurated its new production facility in Pune, located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, the Switzerland-based company said in a press release Aug. 29. The new 7,500 square meter facility, Autoneum’s third in India, will produce carpet systems, interior trim, wheelhouse outer liners, e-motor encapsulations and other noise protection components for both local and international automakers. The new plant further expands Autoneum's operational footprint in India, alongs...

Shenzhen Inovance Technology has announced an investment of 5 billion yuan (about $701.3 million) to construct a factory dedicated to manufacturing electrical parts for new-energy vehicles (NEVs), responding to the rising demand from its NEV clients. Inovance is a major supplier of electric motor controllers, e-drive general assembly, electric motors and power systems to NEV makers. Suzhou Inovance Automotive, a unit of Inovance, will oversee the construction of the plant in Suzhou, eastern J...

The European Commission has approved a €5 billion German measure to support the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (ESMC) in constructing and operating a microchip manufacturing plant in Dresden, Germany. ESMC, a joint venture between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Bosch, Infineon and NXP, aims to enhance Europe's supply security, resilience and digital sovereignty in semiconductor technologies, aligning with the European Chips Act Communication's objectives, as...

As reported in a press release on Aug. 8, Infineon Technologies has inaugurated the first phase of its new 200-millimeter silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor fabrication plant in Kulim, Malaysia.  The first phase of the fab, which represents a €2 billion investment, is aimed at producing SiC power semiconductors and includes gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxy. The facility is expected to create up to 900 high-value jobs initially, with a total of 4,000 jobs projected upon completion o...

In Querétaro, Mexico, South Korean technology firms LS Cable & System Mexico and LS EV Mexico have initiated the construction of two new plants, one of them for electric vehicle battery components. The company will invest $100 million in the two plants combined. These facilities are expected to create over 500 specialized jobs. LS Cable & System CEO Bon Kyu Koo disclosed the plans to develop these plants into a production hub for boost duct and battery component busine...

The US Commerce Department announced its intention to allocate up to $400 million in government grants to Amkor Technology for the development of a $2 billion advanced semiconductor packaging facility in Arizona, US, Reuters reported July 26. This facility is poised to be the largest of its kind in the US, dedicated to packaging and testing millions of chips for use in autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G technology, and data centers. Apple has been identified as the primary and most significant clie...

Continental has announced its plans to invest €45 million in the construction of a new production unit at its existing factory located in Sibiu, Romania. The planned investment is set to be partially funded through a government grant aimed at supporting investments with a substantial impact on the Romanian economy. The completion of this new production module is scheduled by the end of 2025, with the commencement of production operations targeted for the spring of 2026. The new module is se...

According to a press release on July 11, Tata Elxsi, a global design and technology services company, and Emerson, a key player in global automation, have inaugurated the Tata Elxsi + NI Mobility Innovation Centre (TENMIC) in Bengaluru. This advanced center is established with the vision to expedite automotive innovation through state-of-the-art systems, software solutions and extensive global automotive expertise. The automotive sector is witnessing a rapid transformation with the emergence ...

KDPOF, now rebranded to KD, has inaugurated an optical interconnect laboratory, and assembly and test facility in Tres Cantos, Madrid. The initiative follows a €28 million funding received from the European Commission as part of an Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) program, as reported by eeNews Europe on July 10. The funding aims to establish a high-quality packaging factory for cutting-edge optoelectronic devices in Europe. Additionally, a new prototype laborat...

According to a press release on June 28, SMC Diode Solutions celebrated the opening of its second power-discrete fabrication facility in Nanjing, mainland China. This marks a significant expansion for the American-led semiconductor design and manufacturing company. The new facility, which achieved volume production in just 21 months since its groundbreaking in September 2022, is set to commence shipments to customers in the fourth quarter of 2024. Specializing in high-power and high-voltage r...

On June 25, Volkswagen Group and US-based electric carmaker Rivian Automotive announced their plan to set up an equal joint venture company that will focus on developing the next-generation electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture and software solutions that will be central to upcoming electric vehicles from both the carmakers. The strategic partnership also entails Volkswagen’s plan to invest $5 billion in Rivian, starting with an initial investment of $1 billion through an unsecured c...

Continental has expanded its production capacities for the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for passenger cars at its Bangalore plant in Karnataka, India, Autocar Professional reported June 25. The Germany-based automotive supplier inaugurated a new TPMS production line, which has an initial capacity of 3.3 million wheel units per year, with plans for further expansion in the future. The additional capacity will enable Continental to meet demand from automakers operating in India while als...

As reported in a press release June 19, Onsemi has announced its plans for a multiyear investment of up to $2 billion to establish a state-of-the-art, vertically integrated silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic, marking a significant stride toward addressing the global surge in demand for energy-efficient semiconductors. This investment is set to enhance the supply chain for advanced power semiconductors in Europe and globally, catering to the growing needs of the el...

As reported in a press release on June 5, Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp. (VIS) and NXP Semiconductors NV (NXP) have announced their plan to establish a joint venture, VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Pte. Ltd. (VSMC), for constructing a new 300-millimeter (mm) semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility in Singapore. The facility, aimed at supporting mixed-signal, power management and analog products within the 130-nanometer (nm) to 40-nm range, targets a variety of end mar...

According to a press release on June 12, Black Semiconductor has secured €254.4 million (around $272 million) in funding to launch this new semiconductor technology. Out of the total funds, €228.7 million has been provided by the German federal government and the state of North-Rhine-Westphalia with the objective of advancing the development of a new generation of chips. Porsche Ventures and Project A Ventures, including participation from Scania Growth Capital, Capnamic, Tech Vision Fonds, ...

India-based automotive supplier, Samvardhana Motherson International (SAMIL) has earmarked 20 billion Indian rupees ($599 million) as capital expenditure for the current financial year, an increase of 25% over the previous financial year, Autocar Professional reported June 1, citing a senior company official.  Of this total, the company will invest 20 billion rupees in setting up six new greenfield facilities across India, mainland China and Poland. "This is over and above the 12 that we...

As reported in a press release on May 31, Gapwaves has received funding from Vinnova for a project aimed at developing advanced radar sensor front-end modules and solutions for increased road safety. This three-year project will be executed by a consortium including Gapwaves, Chalmers University of Technology, Klimator, Magna Electronics Sweden, RISE Processum and Sensrad. The total grant of 14.5 million Swedish kronor will be shared among the participating organizations, with Gapwaves receiving...

As reported in a press release on May 31, STMicroelectronics N.V. plans to open a new high-volume 200 mm silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturing facility for power devices and modules, including testing and packaging, in Catania, Italy. Alongside an SiC substrate manufacturing operation on the same site, these facilities will comprise ST's Silicon Carbide Campus. The campus will focus on the mass production of SiC to aid customers across automotive and cloud and other infrastructure. STMicro...

In a press release dated May 30, Infineon Technologies AG announced that it has received the permit for the final construction phase of its Smart Power Fab in Dresden, Germany. The company said that the new manufacturing plant is on schedule to start production as planned in 2026. The upcoming construction phases will include the creation of basement levels, other levels and a clean room on the fourth level to optimize integrated production. The smart power setup will utilize the sy...

In a press release announcement May 23, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corp. held a ceremony to mark the completion of a new 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility for power semiconductors and an office building at Kaga Toshiba Electronics Corp. in Ishikawa Prefecture. The completion of construction is a major milestone for phase 1 of Toshiba’s multiyear investment program. Toshiba will now proceed with equipment installation, toward starting mass production in the second half ...

Yura celebrated the inauguration of its new manufacturing plant for automotive parts, harnesses, high-voltage connectors and electrical components in Durango, Mexico, on May 12. Governor Esteban Villegas officiated the ceremony, which marked the beginning of a wave of economic growth and job creation in the region. The facility, located in the Mapimí, Durango, municipality, was established with an investment of 63 million pesos (about $3.7 million). In 2024 alone, Yura is expected to invest ...

ZF Group has made an investment of over $12 million to expand its operations in Querétaro, Mexico, Mexico Now reported April 22. The investment reflects the company's confidence in the region and marks a significant milestone by introducing the first steer-by-wire line with steering wheel actuators. Andreas Temmen, vice president of Steerling Product Line Operations at ZF Group, presented the details of the project to a delegation led by the governor of Querétaro during the annual Hannover ...

In a press release on April 4, SiMa.ai announced it has raised an additional $70 million of funding led by Maverick Capital, with participation from Point72 and Jericho, as well as existing investors Amplify Partners, Dell Technologies Capital, Fidelity Management & Research Co., Lip-Bu Tan and others. SiMa.ai will utilize the $270 million raised to date to continue meeting customer demand for edge AI/machine learning (AI/ML) with its first-generation machine learning system-on-chip (MLSo...

Renesas Electronics Corp. has started operations at its Kofu Factory in Kai City, Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan, it said in a press release dated April 11. The factory was previously operated by Renesas Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. but ceased operations in 2014. Renesas invested ¥90 billion (about $587.2 million) in the factory's reopening in 2022 and has now started operations, with plans to double its current production capacity for power semiconductors. The Kofu Factory will start...

Carrar, a provider of battery modules and thermal management systems for electric vehicles (EVs), has closed its $5.3 million Series A funding round. The round included new investors Salida B.V. OurCrowd, and NextGear, and current investors Gentherm, Next Leap Ventures, Dive Digital, and others, according to press release on April 9. Carrar's battery modules and thermal management systems dissipate twice the amount of heat of existing solutions, increasing battery lifespan three-fold, and imp...

TSMC has announced plans to invest up to $6.6 billion in its Arizona, US, subsidiary, TSMC Arizona, to meet strong customer demand for its advanced semiconductor products, as reported in a press release on April 8. The investment will be used to build a third fab at the site, which will be the largest foreign direct investment in Arizona's history and the largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield project in US history.  The company has signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum ...

SK hynix Inc, a supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, announced that it will invest an estimated $3.87 billion in West Lafayette, Indiana to build an advanced packaging fabrication and R&D facility for AI products. The project, the first of its kind in the United States, is expected to drive innovation in the nation’s AI supply chain, while bringing more than 1,000 new jobs to the region, as reported in a press release on April 3. Leveraging its dominant position in the HBM mar...

Hailo has announced the extension of its Series C fundraising round with an additional investment of $120 million, according to a press statement on April 2. The new funding round was led by current and new investors, including the Zisapel family, Gil Agmon, Delek Motors, Alfred Akirov, DCLBA, Vasuki, OurCrowd, Talcar, Comasco, Automotive Equipment (AEV) and Poalim Equity. To date, the company has raised over $340 million. “The closing of our new funding round enables us to levera...

According to a press release on March 28, Sony Semiconductor Solutions has commenced operations at its new fabrication facility, Building 4, located on the premises of Sony Device Technology (SDT), Thailand. The facility will produce image sensors for automotive applications, display devices and laser diodes for data center applications. SDT plans to create approximately 2,000 new jobs and expand its production facilities in line with market trends. The new fab is powered by 100% renewable en...

In a press release on March 20, indie Semiconductor has announced a strategic investment in Expedera Inc, a provider of scalable Neural Processing Unit (NPU) semiconductor intellectual property (IP). The partnership will deliver customized artificial intelligence (AI) enabled processing capabilities for sensing solutions targeting Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and includes a commercial agreement to integrate customized Expedera Origin NPU processing solutions into future indie produc...

Magna International has invested $166 million in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico, according to an article by Mexico Now on March 20. The investment will be used in a plant that will produce electrical and structural parts for electric vehicles. The development is expected to generate 700 new jobs.  With this new investment, Magna will strengthen its presence in the region, adding a new facility to its existing 10 plants in Coahuila. Magna already employs over 15,000 people in the region. ...

Stellantis Ventures, the corporate venture fund of Stellantis NV, has invested in SteerLight, a startup that develops a new generation of high-performance Lidar sensing technology, as reported in a press release on March 20. SteerLight's technology employs silicon photonics technology to provide 3D-surroundings sensing with higher resolution and precision at a lower production cost than current Lidar systems. This technology has the potential to enhance advanced driver assistance sy...

Telechips and Aura have entered into an investment agreement to collaborate on automotive technologies, particularly in the area of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, according to a press release dated March 19. Telechips has agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in Aura, a radar technology solution development firm based in Boston. Telechips joins existing investors including Ray Stata (founder of ADI), Activate Global and GigaScale Capital. Aura speci...

As reported in a press release on March 14, Continental announced that, in 2023, it has invested over €100 million in its operations in Romania and exceeded 20,300 employees, up from 19,000 employees in 2022. Throughout 2023, Continental made significant investments in new equipment, advanced technology and employee development across all its Romanian locations. These locations include the electronic component factories in Timișoara and Sibiu; the ContiTech factories in Timișoara and...

SK Hynix, a South Korean chipmaker, is investing over $1 billion in advanced chip packaging, The Business Times reported on March 7. The investment will help SK Hynix capture a larger share of the growing market for AI memory, known as high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The company is expanding its packaging process, led by Lee Kang-wook, a former Samsung Electronics engineer. The company will look to reduce power consumption, drive performance and cement its lead in the HBM market. SK Hynix h...

According to a report published by Autocar Professional on March 1, CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd. (CG), Renesas Electronics and Stars Microelectronics have announced a partnership to establish an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in India. This collaboration, facilitated by a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA), aims to enhance India's semiconductor capabilities and ecosystem in alignment with the country's "Make in India for the World" initiative. CG will dri...

Leoni Kabel GmbH has finalized its relocation to the state-of-the-art Factory of the Future in Roth, Germany, bidding farewell to its Stieberstrasse, Germany, site. The ceremonial handover of the prime town-center location to the city of Roth marks the beginning of a new chapter in the enduring partnership between Leoni and the city, as reported in a press release on March 1. “On the one hand, we are sad that an era of more than 100 years in the heart of the City of Roth is coming to an end...

Infineon Technologies has announced its plans to expand its research and development presence in Ireland by creating over 100 highly skilled engineering positions across its Dublin and Cork sites within the next four years, according to IDA Ireland's press release on Feb. 28. The new jobs will bring the total workforce of Infineon in Ireland to over 300, with the company committing to further expand its presence in the country. The investment will see the expansion of R&D facilities in bo...

Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, a leading supplier to the automotive industry, has opened its first plant in Tabasco, Mexico, marking a significant milestone for the state. The plant is located in the Tabasco Business Center (TBC) Industrial Park in the municipality of Cunduacán, and represents an investment of over $10 million. During an event attended by the Governor of Tabasco Carlos Manuel Merino Campos, Executive Vice President of Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Shoji Takeuchi h...

Point2 Technology, a provider of ultralow-power, low-latency mixed-signal system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for multiterabit interconnect, has secured $22.6 million in Series B funding from Bosch Ventures and Molex, with participation from other investors, according to a press release on Feb. 15. This round of funding validates the demand for Point2's technology in AI/machine learning data center applications and the potential to disrupt network interconnect in the automotive sector. The funding...

According to a press release on Feb. 14, Murata Manufacturing has announced that it will establish the Moriyama Innovation Center as a new research and development hub located in front of Moriyama Station in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Construction will begin in February 2024 and is expected to be completed in May 2026. The establishment of the Moriyama Innovation Center is aimed at bolstering Murata’s basic research, planning and design capabilities in both existing and new businesses. The es...

According to a report published by Nikkei Asia on Feb. 6, Toyota Motor will invest in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s (TSMC) Japanese subsidiary to fund the construction of a second chip plant in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture, the two companies. Existing investors, including Sony and Denso, will also make additional investments into the unit, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM), TSMC confirmed. Toyota will hold a 2% stake in JASM, while Sony, Denso and TSMC will hold...

According to a press release by the State of Georgia on Feb. 6, Doowon Climate Control America, Inc., an auto parts manufacturer and supplier, will invest more than $30 million in a new manufacturing facility in Metter, creating 200 new jobs in Candler County located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. “Georgia's growth as a national leader in auto manufacturing continues to pay dividends for communities in all four corners of Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kem...

SkyWater Technology has submitted a full application to the US Commerce Department's CHIPS Program Office for funding to modernize and upgrade its Minnesota, US, semiconductor manufacturing facility, according to a press release on Jan. 2. The company plans to enhance production and expand the nation's domestic microelectronics infrastructure. The company serves customers in aerospace and defense, as well as growing commercial markets, including automotive, biomedical and internet-of-things. ...

In a WeChat press release on Dec. 11, DiDi Autonomous Driving, a subsidiary of DiDi Chuxing, has announced a strategic investment from Horizon Robotics. This partnership aims to accelerate the commercial deployment of KargoBot's intelligent convoy system in the long-haul logistics sector. KargoBot, a Beijing-based autonomous trucking company, has been developing Level 4 autonomous technology, and conducting regular testing and operations in North China and Northwest regions. The strategic par...

Nexteer Automotive has announced it will further capitalize on Asia-Pacific growth by increasing manufacturing and testing capacity through a strategic footprint expansion into Changshu within China’s Jiangsu Province nearby the company’s existing facilities in Suzhou, according to a press release on November 30. To meet growing demand from both global and domestic original equipment manufacturer customers in APAC, Nexteer’s approximately 21.4-acre site in Changshu will produce electric...

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has invested in its logistics partner BTV, Evertiq reported Nov. 24. Financial details of the new investment were not disclosed. The aim of the investment by Mercedes-Benz is to secure its semiconductor supply chain. Westphalia, Germany-based BTV has customers across the automotive and consumer goods industries. It specializes in logistics, programming, quality management, assembly, testing, taping and the long-term storage of electronic components. It has been w...

PhysicsX, a startup bringing the power of generative AI to enable breakthrough engineering in advanced automotive and other industries, has raised $32 million in a Series A round led by General Catalyst. Standard Investments, NGP, Radius Capital, and KKR Co-founder and Co-executive Chairman Henry Kravis also participated in the round, based on a press release on Nov. 27. PhysicsX is building AIs that dramatically accelerate accurate physics simulation, enable generative engineering ...

Silbond, a subsidiary of the Germany-based specialty chemicals company Evonik, will expand its production facility in Weston, Mich., according to a press release on Nov. 20. The company will add three jobs and manufacture new products, including high-purity abrasives, and market them to manufacturers of liquid abrasives used in the production of microchips. The project is expected to generate a total capital spending of $7.9 million in 2023 and 2024. Silbond produces chemicals used in the sem...

In a press release announcement on Nov. 20, Onsemi said that the company has opened an application test lab in Piestany, Slovakia, focused on the advancement of system solutions for battery, plug-in hybrid, electric vehicles (xEVs) and energy infrastructure (EI) power conversion systems. The systems applications lab provides specialized equipment to develop and test next-generation silicon (Si) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductor solutions in collaboration with automotive original equipment ...

Valeo, a global automotive technology company, has announced an investment of over $163 million in its Technical Development Center (MTeC) in Querétaro, Mexico, over the next five years. This investment is expected to create 510 jobs in the automotive sector and underscores the growing confidence of companies in the state, Mexico Now reported Nov. 17. According to Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, head of the Ministry of Sustainable Development (SEDESU), this project represents a substantial ...

Fukui Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a manufacturing subsidiary of Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., will establish a new research and development base called Ceramic Capacitor R&D Center near Echizen-Takefu Station in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Construction will commence in November 2023 with the inauguration planned for April 2026, according to a press release dated Nov. 6. The establishment of the Ceramic Capacitor R&D Center aims to improve the technological capabilities in the develop...

DuPont has officially opened a new manufacturing site in Newark, Delaware, US called the Tralee Park Annex to meet growing demand from the semiconductor and industrial sectors, the company press release read on Nov. 6. The facility, which was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, significantly expands DuPont's Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer parts capacity and features a high-end ISO Class 6 Cleanroom, upgraded manufacturing equipment and optimized facility layout. Brian Ammons, global b...

Texas Instruments (TI) has announced that the company broke ground on its new 300-mm semiconductor wafer fabrication plant in Lehi, Utah, US, according to a press release on Nov. 2. Joined by Utah Governor Spencer Cox, state and local elected officials as well as community leaders, TI celebrated the first steps toward the construction of the new fabrication plant, LFAB2, which will connect to the company's existing 300-mm wafer fabrication plant in Lehi. Once comple...

Sumitomo Electric Industries has established a new subsidiary, Judd Wire Mexico (JMEX), in Mexico to manufacture tab leads for automotive lithium-ion batteries, and high-functionality and high-heat-resistant electric wires, according to a press release on October 30. The subsidiary was established in response to the growing demand for these products in North America, particularly in the context of the advancement of Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric (CASE) technologies in the autom...

Shanghai-based Leadrive Technology, which specializes in Silicon Carbide power modules and dual-motor controllers for electric vehicles, has secured 600 million Chinese yuan (approximately $82.2 million) in a Series-D financing round, DealStreetAsia reported October 9. The investment round was coled by Legend Capital and Oriza FOFs, the fund unit of mainland Chinese investment group Oriza Holdings. Existing shareholder Legend Capital, which led Leadrive's Series-C funding round in September, ...