Electronics Supply Chain Weekly Digest 9-27-24.
DATAPOINT OF THE WEEK: S&P reported that manufacturing activity deteriorated in September across the US and the European Union.
Flash readings showed the Eurozone manufacturing PMI declined to a 9-month low of 44.8, compared to 45.8 in August, driven by a faster decline in output and new orders, particularly in Germany and France.
In the US, S&P reported a September flash manufacturing PMI of 47.0, down from 47.9 in August, marking the lowest level in 15 months, which is primarily driven by a weakening in new orders to a level not seen in 21 months.
Headlines:
Auto
- China auto association submits ‘urgent report’ to Chinese authorities as price wars leave dealers in peril
- Europe Auto industry capacity utilization down to 60% according to Reuters
- Europe auto industry faces perfect storm, ACEA says
- New US rule would require GM, Ford to halt imports of cars they build in China
- China’s Leapmotor and Stellantis open orders in Europe for budget EVs
- Stellantis unions in Italy to strike over falling output
- Swedish EV battery maker Northvolt to cut 20% of staff amid liquidity crunch
- US administration proposes banning Chinese vehicles from US roads with software crackdown
- VW Group trims jobs in China to lower costs, counter sales slump
- VW workers threaten strikes to fight plant closures, job losses in Germany
- Toyota global output falls for 7th straight month in August
Datacenter
- Alphabet to invest $3.3B for two data centers in South Carolina
- US Justice Department probes Super Micro Computer, WSJ reports
Industrial
- Siemens to carve out eMobility EV charging unit
Semiconductors
- Qualcomm explores acquiring pieces of Intel chip-design business
- Apollo Asset Management to offer multibillion dollar investment in Intel
- Intel launches Xeon 6 and Gaudi 3 AI chips to boost AI and HPC performance
- Intel and US race to finalize $8.5bn in chips funding by year’s end
- Intel has rebuffed Arm inquiring about buying Intel’s product unit
- TSMC, Samsung consider building chip factories in UAE, WSJ reports
- US finalizes $123 million chips award for Polar Semiconductor
- Vishay announces restructuring including SG&A headcount reductions and closure of 3 manufacturing facilities by the end of 2026
- ST unveils fourth-generation silicon carbide power technology for next-gen EV traction inverters
- ST expands SiC collaboration in China with Sanan Optoelectronics and direct with Li Auto and Geely
- Thailand to build first SiC facility, with operation expected by 2027
- Kioxia reportedly cancels October IPO plans — blames unfavorable market trends
- SK Hynix begins volume production of next-gen 12-Layer HBM3E for AI applications
- Global 300mm fab equipment spending to each record $400B from 2025 to 2027