The importance of automotive semiconductors is increasing as autonomous driving, electrification, and other future vehicle technologies become a reality.
Automotive semiconductors are produced in small quantities and in a variety of varieties, posing challenges for profit generation and new investment.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held a technology exchange meeting on the topic of automotive semiconductors in the transition to future vehicles and had in-depth discussions on strengthening the competitiveness of automotive semiconductors.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a 'Technology Exchange Meeting between Automotive Semiconductor Demand and Supply Companies' at the Korea Conference Center, where representatives from the automotive, parts, and fabless semiconductor industries discussed ways to strengthen the competitiveness of automotive semiconductors and ways for mutually beneficial cooperation.

This year's exchange meeting, held for the second time following last year, was held in anticipation of the growing importance of automotive semiconductors as automobiles transition to autonomous, hyper-connected, and electrified vehicles of the future. The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen the competitiveness of the automotive semiconductor supply chain through exchanges and cooperation between demand and supply companies.

The exchange meeting was held under the auspices of the Korea Autonomous Driving Industry Association and the Korea Fabless Industry Association, with the participation of five demand companies, including Hyundai Motor Company, KG Mobility, Hyundai Mobis, LG Electronics, and Motrex, and approximately 25 supply companies, including Telechips and Lanix.

Lanix, a supplier, pointed out that automotive semiconductors require a high degree of defect-free operation temperature, voltage, and lifespan compared to general semiconductors, making a dedicated production line essential. Furthermore, it is difficult to generate profitability through small-batch production of a wide variety of products, making it difficult to make new investments.

Demand company Hyundai Mobis proposed that the automotive semiconductor market expand its scope from the existing foundry-centered 'manufacturing' ecosystem to a design-based 'development'-centered ecosystem through collaboration between demand companies and fabless companies, in line with the trend of transitioning to future vehicles.

Park Dong-il, Director General of Manufacturing Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, emphasized, “If we combine the capabilities of our automobile and semiconductor industries and cooperate, we will be able to manage the supply chain stably while developing the automotive semiconductor sector as a new growth engine.” He added, “The government will also actively support the process from automotive semiconductor research and development to performance evaluation and commercialization, and actively support necessary areas such as facility investment and human resource development.”