Automotive power semiconductor market

In today's rapidly developing automotive industry, electrification and intelligence have become an irreversible trend. Behind this change, automotive power semiconductors, as core technology components, are playing an increasingly important role. They are not only the "heart" of electric vehicle power systems, but also the key to achieving high efficiency, low energy consumption, and high reliability of vehicles. This article will deeply explore the current status, development trends, challenges and future opportunities of the automotive power semiconductor market.

#### 1. Overview of Market Status

With the increasing global awareness of environmental protection and the transformation of energy structure, the electric vehicle market has ushered in explosive growth. According to the International Energy Agency, global electric vehicle sales will continue to rise in the next few years, which will directly drive the surge in demand for automotive power semiconductors. Power semiconductors, such as IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) and MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor), are widely used in electric vehicle motor drives, battery management systems, on-board chargers, etc. because of their ability to withstand high voltage and high current.

At present, the automotive power semiconductor market presents a highly concentrated competition pattern, with a few international giants such as Infineon, ON Semiconductor, and Mitsubishi Electric occupying a dominant position in the market. These companies have consolidated their leading position in the high-end market through continuous technological innovation and product iteration. At the same time, Chinese local companies such as BYD Semiconductor and Star Semiconductor are also actively catching up, gradually improving their voice in the industry chain through independent research and development and market expansion.

#### 2. Technology Development Trends

1. **High integration and modularization**: In order to improve system efficiency, reduce costs and reduce space occupation, automotive power semiconductors are moving towards high integration and modularization. By integrating multiple power devices, drive circuits, protection circuits, etc. in one package, a more compact design is achieved while improving overall performance.

2. **Application of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) materials**: Compared with traditional silicon-based materials, SiC and GaN materials have higher switching frequency, lower on-resistance and better The high temperature resistance can significantly improve the energy efficiency ratio and cruising range of electric vehicles. As material costs decline and manufacturing processes mature, SiC and GaN power semiconductors will be increasingly used in high-end vehicles.

3. **Intelligence and digitalization**: With the in-depth development of automobile intelligence, power semiconductors need to be closely integrated with intelligent control algorithms to achieve more accurate power distribution and fault prediction. At the same time, digital means are used to optimize system design, improve system response speed and stability, and provide drivers with a safer and more comfortable driving experience.

#### 3. Challenges

1. **Technical barriers and patent protection**: The technical threshold in the field of automotive power semiconductors is high, and international giants have a large number of core patents. New entrants face severe technical barriers. In addition, the patent protection system also limits the rapid dissemination and popularization of technology.

2. **Supply chain security and stability**: The global automotive industry chain is complex and highly dependent on specific regions, and the risk of supply chain disruption is high. Especially in emergencies such as epidemics, the stability and security of the supply chain have become the focus of industry attention.

3. **Cost Issue**: Although new materials such as SiC and GaN have significant performance advantages, their high costs limit their widespread application in mid- to low-end models. How to reduce costs and achieve large-scale production is an urgent problem that needs to be solved in the current industry.

#### 4. Future Opportunities and Outlook

As the world pays more attention to clean energy and sustainable development, the electric vehicle market will continue to maintain a high growth trend. This brings huge development opportunities to the automotive power semiconductor market. In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology and the gradual reduction of costs,