Zhong Guo Zheng Quan Bao·2026-01-22 23:22Core Insights - The automotive industry is facing significant cost pressures due to a shortage of memory chips and rising prices of raw materials, which are impacting supply chain dynamics and competition rules [1][2][3] Group 1: Cost Pressures - The shortage of memory chips has escalated into a systemic issue affecting the entire automotive supply chain, with prices for automotive-grade DDR4 and DDR5 memory increasing by over 150% and 300% respectively since the second half of 2025 [2] - Global storage prices are expected to rise by an additional 40% to 50% in the first quarter of 2026, with a supply gap for general DRAM projected to remain between 15% and 20% [2] - The automotive sector is at a disadvantage in the competition for memory resources, as leading manufacturers prioritize supply to AI and cloud computing sectors, which offer higher profit margins [3] Group 2: Raw Material Price Increases - Prices for essential metals like copper and silver, which are critical for automotive electrical systems and batteries, have also seen significant increases since the second half of 2025 [3] - The competition for these raw materials between the automotive and AI industries has intensified, although current price increases have not yet fully reached end consumer prices [3] Group 3: Supply Chain Strategies - Automotive companies are implementing various strategies to mitigate cost pressures, including technological innovations and supply chain partnerships [5] - Companies like CATL are leveraging scale and technology to manage battery costs, while others are optimizing memory usage through software upgrades [5] - Long-term supply agreements and price locking strategies are being adopted by companies like Changan and Leap Motor to counteract rising costs of critical components [6] Group 4: Industry Dynamics and Competition - The memory crisis is leading to a differentiation in the automotive industry, with larger companies better able to absorb costs compared to smaller firms [7] - The ability to manage supply chains effectively is becoming a critical factor for competitiveness, with larger firms benefiting from established supply chain systems [7] - The crisis may result in a slowdown in the adoption of advanced driving technologies as companies may cut back on non-core storage configurations [7] Group 5: Future Outlook - The automotive industry is encouraged to shift from reactive measures to building autonomous systems, including securing long-term supply agreements and accelerating the validation of domestic storage chips [8] - The ongoing price increases and the transition to electric and intelligent vehicles are expected to concentrate resources among companies with core capabilities, leading to a shift in competition from hardware to integrated software and hardware solutions [8]