Samsung has secured a $16.5 billion contract with Tesla to produce next-generation self-driving chips, marking a significant step in the automotive industry. While Tesla was once the leading global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, it has been surpassed by China’s BYD. Reports suggest that BYD is now in talks with Samsung to produce its self-driving chips, following the example of China’s Nio, which already uses Samsung-made chips in its vehicles. Samsung’s foundry division is actively engaging with BYD and other Chinese EV manufacturers to secure deals for self-driving chip production, utilizing its advanced 4nm and 2nm processes. The growing demand for advanced chips in the Chinese EV market is driven by the increasing integration of sophisticated driving aids in vehicles. Local foundry service providers in China are struggling to meet this demand, prompting EV manufacturers to seek partnerships with global leaders like Samsung.

