The Impact of US Semiconductor Controls on China’s Automotive Industry
The US government’s arbitrary changes to the control rules have seriously affected the stable supply of US chip products, CAAM said.
A recent announcement from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has urged caution for local car firms in sourcing US chips due to the latest round of US semiconductor controls.
CAAM highlighted that the US government’s unpredictable alterations to control rules have disrupted the stable supply of US chip products, raising concerns within the Chinese automotive industry. The association emphasized that the trust in purchasing chip products from US companies has been compromised, leading to doubts about the reliability and security of US automotive chip products.
With the aim of safeguarding the automotive industry chain, supply chain security, and stability, CAAM recommended that Chinese automotive companies exercise caution when procuring US chips.
Many of China’s leading high-end electric vehicle (EV) models currently rely on US chip giant Nvidia’s Orin series for their smart driving systems, while Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series is the preferred cockpit chip.
The recent crackdown on China’s semiconductor industry by the US, including export controls on 140 companies such as chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group, has further escalated tensions in the global market.
CAAM firmly opposed the US government’s broadening of the national security concept and misuse of export control measures to impose a blockade and suppression on China. The association stressed that such actions violate market economy laws, fair competition principles, disrupt the international economic and trade order, destabilize the global industrial chain, and ultimately harm the interests of all countries.
Recognizing the highly globalized nature of the automobile industry, CAAM emphasized that China’s auto industry has always been rooted in globalized development. The rapid growth of China’s automotive sector, particularly in new energy vehicles (NEVs), plays a crucial role in driving the global transition towards green and low-carbon development.
Encouraging collaboration between global chip companies and Chinese automotive and chip manufacturers, CAAM welcomed investments in China, joint research and development initiatives, and the sharing of development opportunities to foster mutual growth.
Alongside CAAM, the Internet Society of China, the Chinese Semiconductor Industry Association, and the China Association of Communications Enterprises have also issued similar statements in response to the US semiconductor controls.
This article was first published by Phate Zhang on CnEVPost, a website focusing on new energy vehicle news from China.
