Hyundai Mobis is ramping up production of self-designed automotive semiconductors. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Mobis)
SEOUL, March 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai Mobis is ramping up production of self-designed automotive semiconductors, building on the semiconductor business it acquired from Hyundai Autron in 2020, and expanding its presence in global innovation hubs.
The company announced on Tuesday that it has completed research and reliability testing for key semiconductors used in electrification, electronics, and lighting systems, and has begun mass production this year. Key products now in production include a power integration chip for electric vehicles (EVs) and lamp control semiconductors.
Hyundai Mobis is also advancing development of next-generation battery management integrated circuits (ICs), crucial components that monitor EV charging conditions to enhance safety and performance. The company aims to start mass production of silicon-based high-power semiconductors in 2026, followed by next-generation battery management ICs and silicon carbide (SiC)-based power semiconductors in 2028 and 2029, respectively.
New Silicon Valley R&D Hub
In a significant move to secure top-tier talent and deepen collaboration with global semiconductor leaders, Hyundai Mobis plans to establish a dedicated research center in Silicon Valley this year. This new hub will operate in tandem with the company’s domestic research centers, focusing on developing semiconductor design technologies tailored to both Korean and international markets.
“The new Silicon Valley research base will help expand our automotive semiconductor ecosystem and enhance joint R&D with major global players,” said Park Chul-hong, head of Hyundai Mobis’ semiconductor division. “We are accelerating in-house development of key semiconductors for electrification and advanced automotive components.”
A Critical Pivot in Future Mobility
Modern vehicles now contain as many as 3,000 semiconductors, with that number rising sharply as autonomous driving and EV technologies advance. Hyundai Mobis has invested heavily in semiconductor R&D over the past several years, organizing a dedicated division with more than 300 specialists following its acquisition of Hyundai Autron’s semiconductor business.
The company’s semiconductor efforts are split between power semiconductors — critical for improving EV driving range and performance — and system semiconductors, which handle power management, communication, sensing, and networking functions essential for autonomous driving and software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
Hyundai Mobis is currently producing power modules that integrate multiple power semiconductors with cooling systems. The goal is to establish a complete supply chain for EV powertrains, spanning power semiconductors, power modules, inverters, motors, and PE systems.
On the system semiconductor side, the company is strengthening its independent design capabilities for strategic components while developing a broader supply network to ensure responsiveness to market demands.
Global Partnerships and Investments
In addition to its domestic efforts, Hyundai Mobis made a $15 million investment in Elevation Microsystems, a U.S.-based system semiconductor startup, in the fourth quarter of 2024. The company also partnered with Sweden’s national research institute, RISE, last year to jointly develop SiC-based power semiconductors.
These moves position Hyundai Mobis as a major player in the evolving automotive semiconductor landscape, with ambitions to become a global leader in the development and production of next-generation mobility technologies.
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Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
