Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-07-28 14:26Core Viewpoint - Samsung Electronics has signed a significant chip manufacturing agreement with Tesla worth 22.8 trillion Korean won (approximately $165 billion), marking a pivotal moment in the semiconductor industry, particularly against the backdrop of TSMC's dominance [1][3]. Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement was confirmed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, stating that Samsung's new factory in Texas will produce Tesla's next-generation AI6 chips, while the AI4 chips are currently being produced by Samsung and the AI5 chips by TSMC [3]. - Samsung has agreed to allow Tesla to participate in optimizing the production line to enhance manufacturing efficiency, which Musk emphasized as a critical aspect of the partnership [3]. Group 2: Reasons for Tesla's Choice - Tesla's decision to partner with Samsung instead of TSMC is influenced by Samsung's ongoing improvements in chip manufacturing technology and its diversified business model, which can provide comprehensive technical support [5]. - The establishment of Samsung's factory in Texas aligns with Tesla's supply chain localization needs, potentially reducing risks associated with geopolitical factors [5]. - Competitive pricing from Samsung may have also played a significant role in Tesla's decision, as cost control is a priority for the company [5]. Group 3: Implications for Samsung and TSMC - For Samsung, this order represents a crucial opportunity to improve its financial situation in the chip foundry business, which has been struggling with low capacity utilization and losses in recent years. The order is expected to account for 7.6% of Samsung's revenue in 2024 [7]. - The loss of Tesla as a client is a significant setback for TSMC, which has long held a dominant position in the chip foundry market. This development may not only impact TSMC's revenue but could also lead to other clients reassessing their partnerships [8]. - Analysts suggest that while Samsung is working to enhance the yield of its latest 2nm chips, the current order from Tesla is unlikely to involve this cutting-edge technology [8].