3 6 Ke·2026-01-09 03:48Core Insights - The automotive chip discussion is shifting towards centralized and domain-controlled architectures as software-defined vehicles (SDVs) enter the engineering phase [1] - Traditional MCU manufacturers are adapting by introducing advanced processes and higher system integration to compete in the core architecture of software-defined vehicles [1][7] - The competition is intensifying as established chipmakers like NXP, Renesas, and TI aim to reclaim control over vehicle core functions against high-performance computing firms like Qualcomm and NVIDIA [8][19] Industry Transition - The traditional automotive electronic architecture was highly distributed, with vehicles using numerous ECUs for specific functions, which worked well in a mechanical-dominated industry [2] - The automotive MCU market was valued at $6 billion in 2020, accounting for 40% of the global MCU market, dominated by traditional automotive electronics manufacturers [3] - The rise of intelligent vehicles has disrupted this balance, with companies like Qualcomm and NVIDIA entering the market with superior computing power and software ecosystems [3][4] Competitive Landscape - Qualcomm has established a stronghold in the cockpit chip market, with a 67% share in the Chinese passenger vehicle cockpit chip market as of 2024 [4] - NVIDIA has dominated the autonomous driving sector, with its Orin chip achieving 254 TOPS of computing power and the upcoming Thor chip expected to reach 2000 TFLOPS [5] - Traditional MCU manufacturers face challenges as they adapt to the new architecture, with their products still important but no longer sufficient [6] Strategic Responses - As SDVs become the industry consensus, traditional MCU giants are launching new products to regain control over vehicle core functions [7][19] - NXP's S32N7 processor focuses on vehicle core functions, while Renesas' R-Car Gen 5 X5H is the first multi-domain automotive SoC built on a 3nm process [9][13] - TI's TDA5 series emphasizes energy efficiency with a maximum of 1200 TOPS computing power while maintaining a competitive power consumption ratio [16][18] Future Outlook - The collective efforts of MCU giants signify a redefinition of the automotive value chain, transitioning from background roles to central players in vehicle core functions [19] - The competition will evolve to encompass full-stack capabilities, from cloud to edge, and from perception to execution, with MCU manufacturers leveraging their expertise in real-time performance and reliability [21]