In the current landscape, the automotive sector’s angst over semiconductor shortages offers a lens into larger supply chain complexities. Despite forecasts indicating a respite in semiconductor shortfalls by mid-2023, industry insiders remain sceptical, questioning prior analyses that suggested easing constraints. While no modifications are made to earlier projections, it’s imperative to dissect the nuanced developments impacting the sector.
Although 2023 opened to negative growth in the semiconductor market, a noteworthy uptick has been observed in power transistor shipments — a vital component experiencing acute scarcity. This surge could be partially attributed to Infineon Technologies ramping up its mass production. Yet, market data offers a more convoluted picture; certain power transistor types like IGBTs still manifest a less robust growth trend and a decrease in volume, signaling persistent supply constraints.
The microcosm of Taiwan’s Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS), a foundry chiefly engaged in display driver ICs and power management, offers additional insights. As Infineon outsources a segment of its power transistor manufacturing to VIS, the latter’s sales performance serves as a proxy for Infineon’s capacity trends. Data reveals a muted performance in VIS’s power management sales for Q4 2022 and Q1 2023, although a modest recovery is observed in Q2 2023, indicating that the supply situation remains far from straightforward.
The situation is not entirely bleak across the spectrum of automotive semiconductors. A surge in shipments has been recorded in areas such as automotive analog ICs and MCUs. However, the continued backlog of automaker orders casts a pall over these positive statistics, raising questions about whether the industry has genuinely turned a corner.
While the dearth of semiconductors might be loosening its grip, the crisis has acted as a litmus test for existing supply chain efficiencies or lack thereof. The predicament has not only laid bare the vulnerabilities but also spotlighted the strategic importance of semiconductors in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape, shaped by CASE (Connected, Automated, Shared, Electrified) technologies.
Lastly, there’s a looming issue of analog radio IC shortages affecting smart keys in vehicles, indicative of the chip crisis trickling down to more niche applications. While such shortages may not evolve into a significant problem, they underscore the diverse challenges faced by the industry.
In conclusion, while there are signs of improvement, the semiconductor scarcity in the automotive sector remains a complex, multifaceted issue that is far from resolved. Given the forthcoming transformations in the automotive industry, particularly in the ambit of CASE technologies, the role of semiconductors is poised to amplify, necessitating complex management strategies. As supply chain dynamics continue to shift, vigilance remains the watchword.
