3 6 Ke·2026-01-30 00:31Core Viewpoint - The automotive industry is facing a severe crisis due to skyrocketing prices of automotive-grade memory chips, particularly DRAM and DDR5, which have surged over 300% since the second half of 2025, significantly impacting production costs without a corresponding increase in vehicle prices [1][3]. Group 1: Price Surge and Cost Impact - Automotive-grade memory prices have dramatically increased, with DRAM prices rising over 300% and automotive-grade DDR5 memory exceeding 300%, leading to an increase of approximately 1,000 yuan in the cost of each vehicle [1][3]. - Despite the rising costs, vehicle prices have remained stable, with industry leaders indicating that the pressure from memory price increases has not yet been passed on to end consumers [1][3]. Group 2: Supply Chain Challenges - The memory shortage has begun to affect production schedules for some automakers, with concerns about supply interruptions leading companies to deploy personnel to monitor supplies and develop alternative sourcing strategies [3][4]. - The automotive industry is facing a significant challenge in securing memory supplies, as the demand from the AI sector is siphoning off production capacity, with AI data centers expected to consume over 70% of high-end memory chips by 2026 [4][6]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Competition - The automotive memory market is highly concentrated, with Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron controlling over 90% of the market, leaving automakers with little bargaining power during the supply crisis [7][9]. - The shift in production focus towards AI-related memory products, which offer significantly higher profit margins, has led to a reduction in the availability of automotive-grade memory, exacerbating the supply issues faced by car manufacturers [4][6]. Group 4: Strategic Responses from Automakers - In response to the memory shortage, automakers are adopting strategies such as direct supply agreements with memory manufacturers and establishing strategic safety stock to mitigate the risks of supply disruptions [10][12]. - The competition in the automotive sector is increasingly centered around "smart driving" capabilities, with memory being a critical component that influences the performance and features of intelligent vehicles [10][12]. Group 5: Future Outlook and Industry Trends - The memory shortage is expected to persist until at least 2028, with new chip manufacturing facilities taking 3-5 years to establish, indicating a prolonged period of supply constraints for the automotive industry [9]. - The automotive sector is witnessing a shift towards self-developed technologies, with a significant portion of the market being dominated by domestic brands that are focusing on in-house development of smart driving features [17][18].