Denso, a prominent Japanese automotive supplier, has unveiled its plan to invest a staggering 500 billion yen (equivalent to $3.3 billion) in the semiconductor sector by 2030. Their overarching goal is to achieve a threefold expansion in their chip business by 2035, as articulated by the company’s president during a recent announcement.
Being a part of the Toyota group, Denso has long established its reputation as a global powerhouse in producing auto parts and components. Over the past few years, the company has strategically intensified its focus on the semiconductor domain. This is evident from their proactive approach to establishing and nurturing partnerships that would guarantee a consistent and reliable supply of these crucial components.
In a move that underscores the increasing importance of semiconductors in the automotive world, Denso recently made headlines by declaring its intention to invest in a new chip manufacturing facility. This plant, a collaborative venture between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and Sony, is set to be in Japan. Such investments are indicative of a broader industry trend, where the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) and the rise of “connected cars” are driving an unprecedented demand for semiconductors. This surge in demand is not just from automobile manufacturers but also from their extensive network of suppliers.
Speaking at the Japan Mobility Show, Denso President Shinnosuke Hayashi shed light on the company’s forward-thinking strategy. He emphasized that in order to scale up production capacities and meet the burgeoning demand, it’s imperative to have a stable procurement mechanism in place. To this end, Denso is keen on forging strategic alliances with diverse companies. Furthermore, the company is on a hiring spree to stay ahead of the curve, actively seeking professionals specialising in electrification and software development. In addition to this, there’s a concerted effort to reallocate resources internally, with staff from more traditional business units being transitioned to roles that focus on electrification and software development.
