DENSO and ROHM have agreed to start considering a strategic partnership in the semiconductor sector. The backdrop to this collaboration is that with the development and popularization of electric vehicles and the advancement of the goal of carbon neutrality, the demand for electronic components and semiconductors required for vehicle electrification is growing rapidly. In addition, semiconductors are becoming increasingly important in supporting the intelligence of vehicles, such as autonomous driving and connected car technologies, which are expected to help eliminate fatalities in traffic accidents and are essential for the sustainable development of society.
Through this partnership, the two companies can share technical resources and expertise to accelerate the development of semiconductor technologies related to electric vehicles, such as the development of SiC power semiconductors. This may lead to the development of more efficient, miniaturized, and high-performance semiconductors for electric vehicles.
DENSO and ROHM are already collaborating on semiconductor trade and development for automotive applications. In the future, the two companies will consider achieving a stable supply of highly reliable products through this partnership, and carry out various initiatives to develop high-quality and high-efficiency semiconductors that contribute to a sustainable society.
In order to further strengthen the partnership, DENSO will acquire a stake in ROHM. By acquiring shares, it can secure a more stable supply of semiconductors for its electric vehicle products. Shinnosuke Hayashi, President and CEO of DENSO, said that DENSO positions semiconductors as key equipment for the realization of next-generation vehicle systems and has deepened partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers with extensive experience and knowledge. ROHM has a broad portfolio of semiconductors, including analog semiconductors, power devices, and discrete semiconductors, and has extensive experience in mass production. By integrating the automotive technology and know-how cultivated over the years, DENSO is confident that it will be able to secure a stable supply and accelerate technology development.
Pictured: ROHM and DENSO have entered into a strategic alliance
Isao Matsumoto, president of ROHM, said that DENSO and ROHM, as global Tier 1 manufacturers, have been deepening their cooperation for many years, and the two sides have been jointly developing analog semiconductors in recent years. He believes that the partnership with DENSO and the acquisition of DENSO's shares will further strengthen the partnership. In order to achieve carbon neutrality, it is essential to cooperate at the equipment level with the goal of end products and systems. By deepening our integration with DENSO, which has advanced system construction capabilities in the automotive and industrial equipment fields, we believe that we can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
In the electric vehicle industry, strategic partnerships have become a trend, with multiple companies forming partnerships to jointly develop new technologies, new products, or new markets. For example, GAC Group and Toyota Motor Corporation have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in the fields of electrification and intelligent connectivity. Germany automakers such as BMW, Audi and Volkswagen have also strengthened cooperation with Chinese companies, including finding Chinese suppliers, establishing joint ventures, and jointly developing new electric vehicles. Xpeng Motors and Volkswagen Group signed a strategic technology cooperation framework agreement, and Volkswagen Group made a strategic minority investment in Xpeng Motors to jointly develop two B-segment electric vehicle models. In addition, NIO's cooperation with the U.A.E., as well as the cooperation between the Volkswagen and Audi brands and local Chinese automakers, are examples of strategic cooperation in the electric vehicle industry.
These collaborations help drive technological innovation, increase market competitiveness, ensure supply chain stability, and have the potential to have a positive impact on the industry as a whole, including promoting environmental sustainability. Through these collaborations, companies can work together to address the challenges of accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and advancing related technologies.
