◀ Anchor ▶
Automotive factories around the world are shutting down due to a shortage of automotive semiconductors.
Korea, which is a semiconductor powerhouse, is no exception.
This is because all automotive semiconductors are imported from abroad.
Reporter Lee Yoo-kyung reports.
◀ Report ▶
Cars these days are like electronics.
In addition to navigation, airbags and air conditioners, engines and transmissions are all controlled by semiconductors.
Two to three hundred semiconductors fit into a car.
But there is insufficient supply.
This is because the demand forecast has failed.
MCU, the most important semiconductor in automobiles.
70% of global supply is produced by Taiwanese semiconductor company TSMC.
As the demand for automobiles declined due to Corona 19, TSMC reduced production.
However, as the world economy recovered faster than expected due to vaccine development, semiconductors became scarce.
In addition, a massive power outage in Texas, USA, shut down two automotive semiconductor plants.
As a result, car factories are standing in a row.
As GM, Volkswagen, and Tesla have reduced their operations, the US president has also taken the lead.
[조 바이든/미국 대통령]
“The problem of this shortage of semiconductors that I’m holding here is serious in recent years. The delay in automobile production has reduced the working hours of American workers.”
Korea is also being affected.
GM Korea cut production in half for one month.
Hyundai and Kia are in stock right away, but they have cut some production on weekends in preparation for prolonged situation.
Korea is a world-class semiconductor powerhouse, but hardly makes semiconductors for vehicles.
[안기현/한국반도체협회 상무]
“Automotive semiconductors must be durable for about 20 years. It must be free of breakdowns. That does not mean that it has excellent business value. It is not because the price is high and the market is not large.”
Electric vehicles and self-driving vehicles contain far more semiconductors than today.
The shortage of automotive semiconductors is expected to continue for the time being.
This is MBC News Lee Yoo-kyung.
(Video Editing: Actor Jin)
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