• The goal is to strengthen the domestic automotive semiconductor ecosystem and expand interdisciplinary cooperation between foundries, fabless companies, packaging companies, and more.
• Inaugural “Auto Semicon Korea” event marks the beginning of private cooperation in the sector.
• It is expected to create new growth engines in the mobility sector and build a stable supply chain, with warranted independent semiconductor development and production capabilities.

To strengthen the competitiveness of automotive semiconductors and expand the ecosystem in South Korea, Hyundai Mobis is leading a collaboration between more than 20 companies and research institutions. This is the first private sector cooperation in “K automotive semiconductors,” which is expected to contribute to the development of Korea’s domestic automotive semiconductor industry, along with the localization of essential semiconductors.

The first “Auto Semicon Korea” (ASK) was held on September 29, with the aim of creating a self-sustaining domestic value chain and fostering new business opportunities.  The event was attended by 23 companies and research institutions, including automakers, fabless companies (companies that design chips but outsource manufacturing), foundries (companies that manufacture chips), design companies, packaging companies, and design tool specialists.

Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu-suk and several relevant executives and directors from major companies were in attendance, including Samsung Electronics, LX Semicon, SK Keyfoundry, DB HiTek, GlobalFoundries, Dongwoon Anatech, and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI).

This is the first joint initiative led by private companies, including Hyundai Mobis, to address the automotive semiconductor industry. Until now, the Korean automotive semiconductor sector has been heavily dependent on foreign suppliers from Europe, North America, and Japan. Now, with this initiative, the focus is on localizing essential semiconductors and developing independent design and production capabilities.

Hyundai Mobis, as an automotive supplier, occupies a strategic position by connecting automakers’ demand with the supply of semiconductors, even without owning its own factories. The company manages its supply chain in an integrated manner and designs semiconductors in-house, standing out as a candidate for leadership in the industry.

Topics discussed at the event included “The need to establish a Korean automotive semiconductor ecosystem,” “Strategies for localizing semiconductors essential for mobility,” and “Technical direction for building a collaborative structure.”

We are securing independent semiconductor design capabilities while pursuing joint development with fabless companies and design houses, as well as expanding cooperation with major foundries. We are actively encouraging companies specializing in home appliances or mobile devices to enter the mobility sector, and through this, we will take the lead in building the domestic ecosystem,” said Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu-suk.

Hyundai Mobis plans to play a key role in developing ASK as Korea’s leading automotive semiconductor forum starting this year. The forum will be held annually, and starting next year, startups and existing companies with semiconductor-related technologies will be encouraged to participate. The forum will also open its doors to relevant associations and important institutions.

Strategy connects companies and suppliers and enhances agility in R&D

Park Chul-hong, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Mobis’ semiconductor business, emphasized the importance of synergy between automotive semiconductors and controllers, stating, “The key to automotive semiconductors lies in optimal integration with the controller.” He added, “To increase the differentiated competitiveness of domestic companies, Hyundai Mobis sets specific specifications for controllers and supports validation based on actual vehicles, enabling significantly faster development cycles.”

Hyundai Mobis estimates that the integrated development of semiconductors for drive systems, which are essential for the range of electric vehicles, can reduce development time by up to two years. This raises expectations that partners entering the automotive semiconductor field can achieve results quickly.

The same applies to system semiconductors installed in controllers for essential components. Hyundai Mobis is mass-producing 16 types of internally developed semiconductors, including power, drive, communication, sensor, and data processing components, totaling about 20 million units through external foundries.

Analysis suggests that the more domestic companies participate, the faster results can be achieved in semiconductor localization, with significant economic effects.

Hyundai Mobis plans to leverage this forum to actively support semiconductor companies with strengths in consumer sectors, such as mobile, as they enter the mobility field in the short term. Hyundai Mobis’ semiconductor research and development process recently obtained ISO 26262 international certification, an international standard that warrants the functional safety of electronic systems in automotive vehicles.

Companies such as GlobalFoundries and Dongwoon Anatech, which specialize in semiconductors for TVs and mobile devices, have completed joint projects with Hyundai Mobis and are ready to begin mass production of automotive power and lighting semiconductors.

Meanwhile, according to a global market research company, the automotive semiconductor sector is growing at an average annual rate of 9% and is expected to reach US$ 135 billion by 2030. Within this, Hyundai Mobis’ main order items—semiconductors for infotainment and connectivity, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and electrification—are expected to account for about 70% of the total market. With this initiative, Hyundai Mobis reaffirms its commitment to innovation and strengthening the South Korean automotive industry.

About Hyundai Mobis Brazil

Founded on July 1, 1977, Hyundai Mobis is a Hyundai Group company that manufactures automotive parts based in Seoul, South Korea. By offering high-quality products, technologies and services, Hyundai Mobis has strengthened its position in the automotive parts sector to become the sixth largest global automotive parts supplier by 2023. Hyundai Mobis currently has more than 30,000 employees, more than two-thirds of whom are based outside Korea, in subsidiaries around the world. In Brazil, Hyundai Mobis had its plant established in 2012 at the Piracicaba Automotive Park (SP), starting its activities in September of the same year. With over 600 employees, Hyundai Mobis has three operational units and one administrative unit in the country. Visit our institutional website (www.hyundaimobis.com.br) and our social networks: Facebook (www.facebook.com/hyundaimobis), Instagram (www.instagram.com/hyundaimobisbr), YouTube (www.youtube.com/@hyundaimobisbr) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/hyundai-mobis/).

About Hyundai Motor Brazil/Hyundai Motor Central & South Americas

Hyundai Motor Brazil has been present in the country since 2012, when it opened its plant in Piracicaba (SP). With 3,200 employees, it is responsible for manufacturing and marketing the HB20 family of compact vehicles and the Creta compact SUV. From Brazil, the brand coordinates commercial operations for the Central and South American region and exports to neighboring countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay. To find out more about Hyundai and its products in Brazil, visit www.hyundai.com.br. You can also follow the brand’s daily life on social media: Facebook (www.facebook.com/hyundaibr), Instagram (www.instagram.com/hyundaibr) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/hyundai-motor-brasil/mycompany), and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/hyundaibr).

About Hyundai Motor Company

Founded in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in more than 200 countries with around 120,000employees dedicated to tackling mobility challenges around the world. Based on the brand vision “Progress for Humanity”, Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a provider of intelligent mobility solutions. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring revolutionary solutions, while seeking open innovation to develop future mobility services. In pursuit of a sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero-emission vehicles equipped with the latest electrification technology, leading the hydrogen fuel cell industry. More information about Hyundai Motor Company and its products can be found at worldwide.hyundai.com or globalpr.hyundai.com.