cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/52517681
Nexperia, Chinese-owned but based in the Netherlands, makes billions of simple but ubiquitous chips that auto suppliers use in parts ranging from brakes and electric windows to lights and entertainment systems.
Nissan Motor will cut production of its top-selling Rogue SUV in Japan by about 900 vehicles from next week due to a short supply of chips from Nexperia, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Germany, home to major automakers such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, said it was lobbying China in the interests of German customers of Nexperia through all available channels.
European carmakers and suppliers have rushed to apply to China for Nexperia chip export exemptions, which need to be paid for in Chinese currency, or have sought alternative suppliers.
China, which slammed the move as “discriminatory”, banned exports of Nexperia products in retaliation. While most of the company’s chips are produced in Europe, around 70 per cent are packaged in China before distribution.
Finally an article that explains why China can ban the export of chips made in Europe. And the reason is as stupid as I expected 😒
I believe packaging here is more involved than just putting them in a container.
https://www.agsdevices.com/semiconductor-packaging/
Which means, these chips are made in Europe, but actually finalized as a real product in China.
Wow that makes so much sense!
When reading “packaging” in the news articles it sounds like some relatively simple logistics operating.
But for electronics and semi-conductors, the “packaging” is very much part of the manufacturing process to get a usable product. Like chips that come in Surface Mount and Through Hole versions
Yeah, I couldn’t find an article going into that level of detail on what “packaging” meant, but I have to imagine it’s the more involved process.
I think in general the parent could mean outsourcing manufacturing or part thereof.
It’s just the market optimizing profit by minimizing cost without regard of anything else. In other words functioning as designed. I’m surprised the dies are still made in the NL.
Probably The Netherlands’ master plan to replace those cars with bikes produced by them :-)
Needs to happen everywhere
