A logo of Hyundai Mobis is seen at its headquarters in Seoul. Yonhap
Car parts maker plans to open semiconductor-dedicated lab in Silicon Valley
By Lee Min-hyung
Hyundai Mobis is moving to mass-produce diverse in-vehicle chips used for electrification, lamps and other auto parts in anticipation of soaring demand for car chips in an era of autonomous driving and electric vehicles (EVs), the company said Tuesday.
The car parts maker is putting its strategic focus on developing and mass-producing chips for EV power control and in-vehicle lamp operation.
The decision reflects the rapid electrification of the global mobility industry. According to the company, some 3,000 chips are used in the latest vehicles. Demand for chips used for EVs and self-driving cars is rising rapidly ahead of their mass adoption, which is expected in a few years.
The nation’s largest car parts manufacturer has so far focused on research for vehicle chips. The company operates a semiconductor business division and employs approximately 300 researchers in the unit.
To expand its global footing, the company also plans to open its overseas research hub in Silicon Valley in the United States. The facility will be dedicated to developing car chip design technologies. Last year, Hyundai Mobis demonstrated its commitment to developing its chip research prowess by investing $15 million (21.7 billion won) in a system semiconductor startup, Elevation Microsystems.
System semiconductors are considered fundamental parts of self-driving and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Hyundai Motor Group is also going all-out to transform itself into an advanced SDV maker.
The Silicon Valley research facility will also help Hyundai Mobis deepen its collaboration with global semiconductor powerhouses and secure a competitive workforce there.
“We are going to widen cooperation with overseas tech firms in research and development, and build a more advanced in-vehicle chip ecosystem,” said Park Chul-hong, senior vice president and head of Hyundai Mobis’ semiconductor business division.
“This will enable us to accelerate independent development of core chips used for EVs and car parts.”
Last year, Hyundai Mobis also teamed up with the Research Institutes of Sweden to co-develop a silicon carbide power semiconductor. The company aims to widen more partnerships with other overseas research organizations to advance its chip-making capabilities.
English (United States) ·