onsemi is pushing the supply of Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductors used in EV parts to Hyundai MOBIS. onsemi is the world’s second-largest power semiconductor company. They are targeting the domestic power semiconductor market by building a production facility worth 1.4 trillion KRW in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
onsemi-Korea is seeking to supply SiC power semiconductors to Hyundai MOBIS, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company. It is for a power semiconductor used in EV parts made by Hyundai MOBIS. They are discussing supply of products to core parts including modules that drive EV.
Hyundai MOBIS said, “We are continuing to discuss with Korean and foreign power semiconductor companies to secure power semiconductor customers.”
onsemi entered the Korean market by building a SiC power semiconductor manufacturing facility worth 1.4 trillion KRW in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, in the second half of this year. This investment was made to supply power semiconductors for EV to Korean automakers and auto parts companies.
Hyundai Motor Company set the goal to sell 1.8 million EV by 2030. In order to achieve this goal, semiconductors are needed, which are key components of EV. It is expected that three to four times more of power semiconductors will be needed to convert existing internal combustion engines into EV.
It is expected that onsemi will enter the EV market in earnest, starting with Hyundai MOBIS. onsemi is expanding the supply of SiC semiconductors to Korean and foreign automakers, including Tesla. In Korea, SiC suppliers other than Infineon are still lacking. This is because there are only a small number of power semiconductor manufacturers and it is difficult to enter the market such as getting automotive semiconductor performance certification. The certification process for parts is complicated due to the stability.
onsemi plans to increase new supply based on its existing supply performance.
SiC is considered as a next-generation power semiconductor material. It boasts excellent durability at high voltage and has excellent heat resistance. Many Korean and foreign power semiconductor companies are jumping into SiC research and development (R&D) and construction of production facilities in Korea.
By Staff Reporter Jiwoong Kim (jw0316@etnews.com)