Computer Chip Makers Vs Automakers — The Tables Have Turned
he had never had an auto industry executive call him — ever — until the shortage was desperate.
Thomas Caulfield, the CEO of GlobalFoundries, says the auto industry understands it can no longer leave the risk of building multi-billion dollar chip factories to the computer chip industry. “You can’t have one element of the industry carry the water for the rest of the industry,” he tells. “We will not put capacity on unless that customer is committed to it, and they have a state of ownership in that capacity.
Here’s something interesting. Michael Hurlston, CEO of Synaptics, whose chips power touchscreens, says the recent willingness of automakers to engage with chipmakers could wind up creating new business opportunities as well as help manage risks. Because of the closer dialogue between companies, the automotive industry has warmed up to using OLED screens, which have better contrast and lower power consumption than LCD screens. But OLEDs are perceived to be less durable.