Tesla(US:TSLA) 鑫椤锂电·2025-07-29 01:11Core Viewpoint - Samsung Electronics has secured a significant chip manufacturing contract worth up to $16.5 billion with Tesla, highlighting the strategic importance of this collaboration in the AI chip sector [1][2]. Group 1: Contract Details - The contract amounts to 22.8 trillion Korean won, approximately $16.5 billion, and is aimed at producing Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip at a new factory in Texas [1]. - Elon Musk confirmed that Samsung is currently producing Tesla's AI4 chip, while the recently designed AI5 chip will be manufactured by TSMC [2]. - Musk indicated that the $16.5 billion figure is the minimum value of the deal, suggesting that the actual output could be several times higher [2]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - This contract is crucial for Samsung's foundry business, which has been struggling with underutilization and insufficient orders, contrasting with TSMC's ongoing supply-demand imbalance [2]. - The partnership with Tesla not only provides essential orders for Samsung but also serves as a pivotal opportunity to reaffirm its capabilities in the AI chip manufacturing sector [3]. - For Tesla, the AI chips are integral to its future development plans, emphasizing the long-term strategic significance of this collaboration [3]. Group 3: Market Context - According to TrendForce, TSMC held a dominant market share of 67.6% in the global foundry market in Q1, while Samsung's share decreased from 8.1% to 7.7% in the same period [2].