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美国SiC,难兄难弟
半导体行业观察·2025-04-04 03:46

Core Viewpoint - Silicon Carbide (SiC) is recognized as a transformative material in the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors, but major US players like Onsemi and Wolfspeed are facing significant challenges due to market demand slowdown and intense competition from Chinese firms [2][19]. Group 1: Onsemi's Challenges and Transformation - Onsemi reported disappointing Q4 2024 earnings with revenue of $1.72 billion, a nearly 15% year-over-year decline, significantly below analyst expectations [4]. - The company anticipates further revenue decline in Q1 2025, projecting between $1.35 billion and $1.45 billion, lower than the market expectation of $1.69 billion [4]. - Onsemi's stock has plummeted over 37% in 2024, reflecting deep market concerns about its fundamentals [4]. - The company is facing fierce competition from Chinese and European SiC manufacturers, which pressures its cost and technology [7]. - To address these challenges, Onsemi is implementing a restructuring plan that includes a 9% workforce reduction, expected to incur costs of $50 million to $60 million in 2025 [7][8]. - Onsemi is pursuing growth through acquisitions, including a $1.15 billion purchase of Qorvo's SiC JFET business and a proposed $6.9 billion acquisition of Allegro Microsystems to enhance its technology in automotive and industrial markets [8][19]. - The company is transitioning to a Fab-lite model, integrating nine factories and focusing on higher-margin chip self-manufacturing to improve efficiency and reduce costs [8]. Group 2: Wolfspeed's Survival Crisis - Wolfspeed, once a pioneer in wide bandgap semiconductors, is now facing a severe survival crisis due to aggressive capital expenditures and operational losses [9][10]. - The company reported revenues of less than $900 million in 2024, with a net loss exceeding $600 million, and carries over $5 billion in net debt [10][12]. - Wolfspeed's ambitious investments in 200mm SiC wafer technology have led to cash flow depletion, with production facing significant delays and low yield rates [10][12]. - The company has drastically cut its 2026 capital expenditure forecast from $1.2 billion to $300 million and halted a $3 billion factory project in Germany, indicating a retreat from aggressive expansion plans [13][14]. - Despite signing supply agreements with major EV manufacturers, Wolfspeed's outlook is clouded by delayed orders and competitive pressures from Chinese firms [13][14]. - The company is seeking $750 million in funding through the CHIPS Act, but political uncertainties raise doubts about the realization of this funding [14][19]. Group 3: Structural Challenges in the US SiC Market - Both Onsemi and Wolfspeed are experiencing a mismatch between capital and demand cycles, having made aggressive investments during the 2021-2023 boom, only to face declining EV demand in 2024 [16]. - The rise of domestic SiC companies in China is intensifying competition, with firms like Tiankong Heda and BYD Semiconductor rapidly closing the technology gap while leveraging cost advantages [16][17]. - Despite support from the CHIPS Act, US companies face policy uncertainties and inefficiencies that hinder the formation of a competitive industry cluster compared to China's integrated supply chain strategy [17]. - The future of the SiC market will increasingly depend on technological innovation, production efficiency, and cost control capabilities as demand continues to grow amid global energy transitions [17].