Ford Wants to Produce Its Own Microchips
The global microchip shortage continues to hurt automakers across the industry, and the level of frustration within HQ walls is mounting. Nearly all manufacturers have had to cut back on production and/or remove features from certain models, and dealers are crossing their fingers and toes in hopes of having their inventories fattened soon.
From Germany to Japan to the United States, the situation is not rosy. Getting into semiconductor manufacturing is a potential solution but it is a daunting and expensive process to get off the ground. Most automakers aren't ready to move in that direction.
Ford, however, appears to have found what they believe is a solution, at least for the long-term.
The company has announced a partnership with U.S. chipmaker GlobalFoundries, which owns one of the largest independent foundries in the world. The agreement is for the development of semiconductors, and according to the two companies, it could eventually lead to joint chip production in the United States. The partnership, which the companies call a “strategic collaboration”, is by the looks of it in its early stages, and it remains non-binding.
What’s more, there’s yet to be announcement of any investment. Still, what is interesting is that this is one of the first partnerships of its kind to be announced.
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