一个碳化硅巨人的非自然死亡

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise and fall of Wolfspeed, a company specializing in silicon carbide (SiC) technology, highlighting the challenges and market dynamics in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the context of electric vehicles (EVs) and the competition in SiC production. Group 1: Company Background and Transition - CREE, founded in 1987, initially struggled in the semiconductor industry but gained prominence with the rise of electric vehicles, particularly Tesla's Model 3, which utilized SiC technology [3][4] - CREE held 60% of the global SiC wafer production capacity, leading to a strategic pivot to focus entirely on SiC by rebranding as Wolfspeed [6][24] - The transition was marked by a significant increase in the semiconductor business's revenue share, from 10% in 2017 to 53% in 2021, following the sale of its LED business [24][20] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Challenges - The demand for SiC in EVs surged, with each vehicle requiring approximately 100-150 SiC chips, leading to increased competition as other manufacturers entered the market [29][31] - Wolfspeed faced a critical decision between expanding 6-inch wafer production or investing in 8-inch wafer technology, which promised higher profit margins but posed greater technical challenges [31][32] - The company invested $1.5 billion in the Mohawk Valley factory for 8-inch wafer production, but faced significant operational challenges and low utilization rates, leading to financial difficulties [39][42] Group 3: Financial Performance and Market Position - In 2024, Wolfspeed's revenue declined by 12%, and its stock price fell by 84.7%, marking it as one of the worst-performing tech stocks of the year [42][44] - The company's heavy debt burden from the 8-inch investment contrasted with the more efficient production strategies of Chinese competitors, who focused on 6-inch production [46][44] - As the EV market growth slowed in 2023, Wolfspeed's reliance on this sector became a critical vulnerability, ultimately leading to its bankruptcy filing [47][44]