3 automotive chips enter pilot stage

An automotive chip. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

Automotive chips are like the human brain, controlling all the behaviors of the entire vehicle. Currently, traditional cars have around 300 to 500 chips per vehicle, while electric smart cars have over 1,000 chips per vehicle. High-level autonomous driving cars will have more than 3,000 chips per vehicle.

Sources from local media reports on July 23, the Hubei Vehicle Regulation-Grade Chip Industry Technology Innovation Consortium, led by Dongfeng Motor Co, has achieved the pilot production of three types of independently developed auto chips since its establishment a year ago. All three chips are the first of their kind in China.

With the advancement of electrification, intelligence, and network connectivity in automobiles, the demand for vehicle chips continues to increase. By 2022, the market size of automotive chips in China will reach $15.8 billion, with a year-on-year growth rate of 10.49 percent.

The consortium adds several member units this year. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Dongfeng has formulated a strategy for developing and applying domestically produced chips, aiming to achieve full chip coverage of the powertrain, chassis, body, and new energy control.

In the future, the domestication rate of chips for Dongfeng's new car models will reach 40 percent. These chips will not only be used in Dongfeng's vehicles but also be applied in other domestic brands.

In the traditional automotive ecosystem, chip suppliers sell their products to first-tier electronic system suppliers. They then integrate the technology into modules and deliver them to vehicle assembly plants.

Currently, the supply chain of automotive-grade chips is undergoing continuous evolution. Some car manufacturers are designing their chips, such as Tesla. At the same time, chip suppliers are strengthening their cooperation with automobile manufacturers and first-tier automotive suppliers. For example, Nvidia is collaborating with Audi to build an artificial intelligence platform with autonomous driving and deep learning technologies, said Miu Xiangshui, president of the Integrated Circuit School at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.